I managed to snare this picture back in 2010 of a young two-year-old colt who simply demolished his rivals in The Royal Lodge at Ascot. I knew then he was a decent animal, but little did I realise what I had seen that day. Fast forward nearly two years and that magnificent beast finishing his race in splendid isolation is the mighty and undefeated Frankel.
The greatest five days of flat racing anywhere in the world kicks off with The Queen Anne Stakes and what better way to launch the high class action with a top notch Group 1 race featuring the best horse in the world. All the words bandied about in the press, on-line, on the news and everywhere else cannot do this horse any real justice.
Sadly due to other less interesting commitments I cannot make it to Royal Ascot today to soak up the atmosphere, anticipation and then sheer joy to watch a real champion. Everyone lucky enough to be at the course WILL witness something special as Frankel will surely win with great authority.
He is "The Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of The World" and will blast away his opponents and land his 11th straight victory, but at deserved ridiculously short odds is a no bet. The problem with trying to find an each way bet is you may be interested in other events instead of just enjoying a master at work. I would rather watch Frankel put in an awesome performance than be casting my eye back to the rest of the field fighting for scraps and trying to nick a place.
His nearest rival Excelebration is a top class Group 1 winning animal in his own right and in any other era would probably be the best horse around, but he has been firmly put in his place no less than four times by "The Champ". He has been beaten by a combined total of over fifteen lengths, including last time in the Lockinge at Newbury by an easy looking five. It is frightening to think that Frankel will come on for that run.
What made that performance even more impressive was the fact Frankel had an injury scare prior to the race, had missed some work and was meeting his rival who had the benefit of a previous run. He handed him a thorough beating and Aidan O'Brien's colt must be sick of the sight of his nemesis. His heart will sink once he eye-balls the mighty one in the parade ring, at the start or even in the race. He looks booked for second and is the safe and predictable each way punt, but the value is drying up. If he doesn't fancy it there could be a bit of value elsewhere if you have to have a punt.
Strong Suit is a two time Royal Ascot winner but is making his seasonal debut here. He also has to prove he stays a mile and on softish ground on this stiff track it may be just asking a bit too much. He will run well, but will surely come on for the run. His class though will probably see him into third place.
Worthadd likes to run up near the pace, but will get swallowed up once the big guns get going late on.
Side Glance has decent Ascot form, but doesn't look good enough.
Bullet Train and Windsor Castle are the pacemakers and will give way once their jobs are done.
The Mahmood Al Zarooni trained ex-Aussie Helmet looks interesting at a huge price and though he hasn't shown much this year, is a three time Group 1 winner back in his native homeland.Any ground seems to suit as does the mile trip and he may surprise a few as his owner Sheik Mohammed has landed this race many times in the past. Even Aidan O'Brien has collected this prize in the past with an Australian import Haradasun. He can't win, but may be a bit of value especially if Excelebration or Strong Suit underperform, highly unlikely, but worth a second glance.
The rest surely don't look good enough and to be honest, just watch the race and take in a once in a lifetime peformer, who is rightly being lauded as the best in the world by some distance. The perfect curtain raiser to some of the finest horseracing you will want to see.
There is however some value to be had in the other races and I like the look of SPIRIT QUARTZ in the Group 1 King's Stand at 2.30. This race is going to be a total lottery as there will be over 20 runners going lickety-spit over the minimum distance of 5 furlongs. My selection will need luck in running, but is a Group 3 winner in Italy over 6 furlongs on ground with cut. He seems a consistent sort and travels well in his races. He has caught the eye a couple of times this season including last time when just touched off at Haydock carrying a big weight.
He also ran well in the Temple Stakes at Haydock when a few lengths behind the well fancied Bated Breath. He has ground to make up on that one, but can surely get closer to him on this stiffer track. He is also nearly five times the price too and the booking of Frankie Dettori, who rides Ascot better than most is another positive. Looks cracking value at around 25-1. His trainer Robert Cowell won this race last year with Prohibit and that one one can go well too, he could be worth a saver at around 16-1.
The next race is the St. James Palace Stakes and there is another one who really grabs my attention. BORN TO SEA is hardly an original choice, but I can't believe he is still trading at around the 10-1 mark. Frankel has taken over the mantle, but Born to Sea's older half brother Sea The Stars was just as exciting, winning all the top races from the 2000 Guineas to The Arc, via The Epsom Derby in a vintage year back in 2009.
Now Born To Sea is nowhere in that league, but he is slowly getting the hang of things and looks as if this race will finally see him land a big pot. He looked above average as a juvenile, before disappointing on his last run as a 2-year-old. He was found to be lame and is surely being nursed along this year for a second half of the season campaign.
His first run this year in the 2000 Guineas was disappointing but he did finish well clear of today's favourite Power in that contest. Power turned the form around in the Irish 2000 guineas, but Born To Sea's run was very eyecatching. He had first time headgear on that day and seemed to be travelling sweetly before coming home in fine fashion to be a never dangerous fifth.
He was ridden by Kevin Manning then, but is re-united with the excellent Johnny Murtagh, who has ridden the colt in all his other runs and knows him well. It is interesting John Oxx his trainer sends him over for this and there aren't many better riders of Ascot than Mr.Murtagh. I really like his chances of improving again from that run and finishing in front of Power this time. He is certainly a value each way punt and I reckon his price will shorten all day.
The rest of the card doesn't really interest me for betting purposes but from my Epsom eyecatchers
http://horseracingtavern.com/2012/06/epsom-derby-2012-review-eyecatchers-tips/
HEAVY METAL in the 4.25 Coventry Stakes is worth a second look at a massive price. He was somewhat unlucky at Epsom and this is a huge step up in grade. He is a hardened and tough type though, from the Mark Johnston yard and will be battling on when a few have cried enough. He might lack the class of the O'Brien, Bolger and Hannon horses, but will run well.
Hopefully once we have witnessed the Frankel procession we can settle down, enjoy the races and make a profit.
Good luck and Happy Punting.
Randy.
