The Neighsayers - Royal Ascot Day 3 Review

 Royal Ascot Day 3 Review

Norfolk Stakes

I think ARIZONA BLAZE is the best of these going forward. Now not saying he was unlucky, he just missed the kick ever so slightly and then did all his own work stand-side, racing alone. The two that finished infront of him got a nice tow into this from BINADHAM who showed speed and ability. SHAREHOLDER best horse on the day though and took a nice step forward from Beverley where he did plenty wrong.

King George V Handicap

Always a big fan of these race and this year no exception. As is typical of this race, they went very quick in front and benefitted those held up, which probably means GASPAR DE LEMOS can be upgraded here, stuck around on the front end and everything else that was handy finished no higher than 14th. Has ability and a willing attitude, can definitely win handicaps of this mark and probably better than a handicapper, has shown a disliking to Newmarket so wouldn’t expect to see him there. GOING THE DISTANCE got better the further he went, he showed a lovely turn of foot between the 2 & 1 pole’s and ran straight through the line. NESKI SHERELSKI took the brave man’s route and went up the inner in typical Spencer fashion. Slightly short of room at the 2 pole but couldn’t class this as unlucky as he didn’t lose much momentum and had plenty of time to go on again. PONIROS plenty keen enough early but despite this made a nice enough move into the race and just got a bit intimidated I’d say when there was a bit of argy bargy when PERSICA shifted through a gap that wasn’t really there. On him, I’d be back to 10 furlongs.

Ribblesdale 

DIAMOND RAIN ran absolute stink here and matched the markets expectations, line through it but hard to take any confidence at all. DANIELLE is proper, when she gets her ground she’s well worth her place at this level. She travelled so well here and just found out when push came to shove. KALPANA probably just about got the trip but she’s much more effective back at 10 furlongs. PORT FAIRY best positioned here behind the run away leader, game in the finish, best horse likely second here though for me. LAVA STREAM another that slightly caught out by the rattling ground, her improvement is incredible and shout out to Swanny for putting her up off 74, she’s probably going to be 108 ish after this, that’s some improvement in 3 runs, another to watch on soft ground.

Ascot Gold Cup

Perfection from Ryan here, all the talk pre race was about the race set up and how it looked a steady set up. He never KYPRIOS too far away and after CAUIS CHORISTER lost her rag and marched forward to pester TRAWLERMAN there was only one winner. SWEET WILLIAM worth an upgrade here for me, only one to get involved from the back, he’d likely have a great chance in the Lonsdale Cup at York.

Britannia

First sign of a bias sneaking in here. They went hard over the far side and still nothing could feature in the finish. I Gave a mention to SKUKUZA this morning and in typical fashion, beat the 3rd over 2 lengths and still not won! Another mention given for KING’S GAMBLE, bet in from 25/1 to 8/1 and a never nearer 5th. Wouldn’t mind to see DRAGON LEADER back down to 7 furlongs, maybe even 6. Showed pace here and did well to finish in the top 10. MICKLEY must be long odds on to head abroad now, either Hong Kong or Australia given connections.

Hampton Court

Best horse 2nd here, not so much unlucky as he’s done so well so split 2 rivals ridden much more prominently than him. Not necessarily sure it was Buick’s fault as plenty said on twitter, just how the race panned out. I’d bet short than KING’S GAMBIT would overturn JAYAREBE if they met again. SONS AND LOVERS is a handicapper currently, as Quinny tried to tell me before hand, thought went okay here out of his depth and be a nice bet dropped down the levels. PORTLAND one to go back up in trip. BRACKEN’S LAUGH made another nice impression on me here, he had to wait on the bridle on the rail with nowhere to go, whilst everyone around him was getting racing, picked up well when the gaps appeared. Will be a nice race to follow.

Buckingham Palace

This had no impact on the result at all, but 2 incredibly unlucky horses here. FRESH and CARRYTHEONE both had no where to go but the latter caught the eye the most, but hasn’t been missed. Expect both to take up their place in the Moet & Chandon International Handicap which we mentioned for Holloway Boy yesterday. THE XO travelled well near side but found little, I’d be back sprinting if he was mine. PERCY’S LAD showed how good a form he was in at Chester last time and showed that again here, hopeless task leading the far side group but did well to stay there. If returning to the former venue he’d be hard to beat. GORAK declared for the Wokingham Saturday, draw been kinder, well worth his chance if he takes it up. Operation York for the old boy SUMMERGHAND? Very well handicapped now and has shown he’s retained ability. Would love to see him there again.

Yet again another great days racing, ending with a slight bias creeping in? One to definitely keep an eye on tomorrow and I’d favour the low draws. More runners to take from today than any other so far. The tracker will be working over time…