ROYAL ASCOT: FRIDAY 22nd JUNE 2012. YOU NEED ASTROLOGY IN THIS GAME

Yesterday was a case of nearly so, firstly I put Wednesday instead of Thursday in the title, always proof read your blog, the lesson learned.

I fancied Godolphin to win a race they have a great record in, sadly I picked the race before they actually did it.

I fancied a Frankie flying leap at some stage, he duly obliged on the biggest stage, unbacked!

The final kick in teeth came when I fancied a William Haggas horse in the Hunt Cup, who had good form on Kempton's polytrack and would go close. He did, finishing 6th, however the winner was a William Haggas horse who had good form on Kempton's polytrack and bolted up, again unbacked.

Crystal ball was definitely a bit misty yesterday.

Anyway looking in the stars today ASTROLOGY must be worth a good bet. He was a gallant third in the Epsom Derby behind brilliant stablemate Camelot, and on that form looks sure to run well in the 3.05 King Edward VII Stakes.

He has to prove he stays this distance, but his performance on soft ground in Chester's Dee Stakes over a furlong and half shorter looked as if it would be no problem. If jockey Ryan Moore can hold onto him a bit longer and commit later I am sure he will win this. He looked the second best horse in the Derby and though this stiffer test will suit Derby fourth Thought Worthy better, he was readily brushed aside that day.

Shantaram could surprise as he is proven on soft ground and over the distance. He was just touched off by Derby third Main Sequence in the Lingfield Derby trial and can give Astrology most to do.

GATEWOOD really caught the eye last time at Epsom, travelling and winning as if he is potentially top class. If handling today's softer ground he can go really close in the 4.25 Wolferton Handicap.

With the Germans taking on Greece in the second Euro Quarter Final tonight and the winner awaiting England if they can get past the Italians, I am sure most people will be honorary Greeks tonight.

Athens would be a nice coincidence bet in the 5.00 Queen's Vase and should go close on the soft ground, however he was disappointing last time.

The clue for this race is in the title, and the one I like is Sir Michael Stoute's ESTIMATE. She is owned by The Queen and I am sure the trainer would like to give the old girl her own vase back, she did afterall give him a knighthood!

ESTIMATE though does have a really good chance, she won really well at Sandown last time on softish ground. That track is stiff enough and she looks as if this step up to two miles will really suit. Soft ground won't be a problem either as she is by Monsun and I can see her going really well, especially as she gets an nice 3lb allowance.

A nice treble today, will hopefully cheer me up before we see something really special tomorrow.

Happy punting

Randy