For the first time in 12 weeks, after 72 points staked (and thanks to the whopping 25.80 points loss of Royal Ascot) the P&L has dropped into the minuses at -0.65 after yesterday’s two losses.
Although Tower Of London’s loss will continue to haunt me all week, we shall kick on into day two on what looks like a competitive day all around.
1:50 Newmarket – LOCAL DYNASTY @ 9/2 with BetVictor – 2pt WIN
Yesterday, the opening race didn’t go the way I planned with Tower Of London finishing second; today, I hope my fortune can change with Local Dynasty.
Although I’m taking a chance on the apparent Godolphin second-string, something that is a difficult game at times, I am a bigger fan of this three-year-old by Dubawi over his stablemate Tagabawa, the 7/2 favourite.
Last time out, Local Dynasty ran in the Golden Gates Stakes and finished a good third following a rear-of-the-field ride, forcing him to make up at least six lengths after the bend.
Burdett Road holds on to win the Golden Gates Stakes
It's a 2nd win of the week for @neilcallan78 #ITVRacing | #RoyalAscot | @MikeBellRacing pic.twitter.com/X5qxD9NlrM
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 24, 2023
Furthermore, his run in the Dee Stakes at Chester two starts ago was another pleasing contest on soft ground.
With the late San Antonio and Donnacha O’Brien’s Alder ahead of him, that form looks strong and it shows he ground versatile if the rain does hit today.
Hard to fault this one! 🚀
San Antonio gets the better of Alder to take the Boodles Dee Stakes 🥇#ITVRacing | @ChesterRaces | @Ballydoyle pic.twitter.com/WSDU7adHWK
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) May 11, 2023
Hopefully, he is the classic ‘Group horse in a handicap’ as he will need to be off a mark of 101, but that feat should be accomplishable and he is my opening bet for the second day of the July Cup meeting.
2:40 York – SWINGALONG @ 15/8 with BetVictor – 3pt WIN
Coverage on ITV Racing today also comes from York alongside HQ and in their feature race of the day, the Group 3 Summer Stakes, the favourite, Swingalong, is the NAP.
Firstly, on pure numbers, Karl Burke’s contender is the second-highest rated in the race while also receiving a three-year-old and fillies allowance, putting her best at the weights by two pounds to the second-favourite, Mammas Girl.
That is a good start to her claim, and her case gets even stronger based on her form thanks to her big-odds third in the Commonwealth Cup last time out, second to Remarquee three starts ago, and fourth in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes at the end of last season.
Oh, my. That was superb! ⭐️
Lezoo (Zoustar) wins the @JuddmonteFarms Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket for @RalphBeckett and William Buick pic.twitter.com/10asViIlA5
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 24, 2022
The return to six furlongs at Royal Ascot has seemingly brought this Showcasing filly back to her best and with this being one of her easiest assignments of the last 11 months, hopefully, she can oblige in due fashion.
3:35 Newmarket – REMARQUEE @ 4/1 with William Hill – 2pt WIN
And finally, after much consideration of this selection, Remarquee is the final player in the team for the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes.
There is a lot of impending rain about to hit Newmarket, something that made me take out my pencilled fancy of Persuasion in the penultimate race, but now she is out, Ralph Beckett’s filly is her replacement.
The Kingman three-year-old receives a nine-pound weight allowance from the favourite, Via Sistina, which does put her best at the weights on official ratings.
That mark of 111 is thanks to her remarkable second in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot where she was stopped in her tracks one furlong from home, but still managed to rally down the outside to only be beaten by one length to Tahiyra.
Tahiyra is all class as she wins the Coronation Stakes for @chrishayes24 and Dermot Weld at #RoyalAscot! @Ascot pic.twitter.com/AW6nFP0Zw6
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 23, 2023
The favourite, seeking her second Group 1 in less than two weeks, has a question to answer about her suitability dropping back down to a mile whereas Remarquee should have no problems with the trip or any potential soft ground.
Hopefully, a three-year-old can win this race for the second time in a row under a double-seeking Rob Hornby after his memorable victory 12 months ago on Prosperous Voyage.
