 Wally Pyrah |  David Duggan |  Wendyll Woods |
|---|---|---|
| With a mark of excellence in the business for over 30 years, Wally Pyrah has been notable to many in UK's racing industry. He had long been a key editorial member of The Racing Post, UK's authoritative racing/ sports wagering press, and is integral part of the expert cast in various preview shows - on screen and through the air – to major international racedays on a regular basis, such as the European classics. | David has been working in the racing/bloodstock industry for over 20 years. He has worked at Coolmore Stud Ireland and in Lexington Kentucky with leading Farms. He is also an active writer publishing written articles for many publications including The Guardian newspaper. For the past 7 years, he has been broadcasting in the UK and Ireland for At The Races and Sky Sports. David has recently joined in August 2012 and will provide more insights on simulcast races. | Wendyll Woods began his riding career in Hong Kong as an apprentice jockey to trainer Lawrence Fownes in 1983. He became Fownes' retained jockey from 1987/88 to end of 2001/02 when he was retained by his younger brother Sean Woods. During his Hong Kong racing career, he rode an impressive 3,897 Hong Kong races, riding 321 winners with a winning percentage of 8.2%, including the Queen Mother Memorial Cup with CARACOLER in 2002. Woods also spent five years racing in England where he won several key races including Heron Stakes and Princess Elizabeth Stakes. He currently runs a stud farm with his older brother in England. |
Overseas Expert Column for Diamond Jubilee Stakes Day (Wally Pyrah & David Duggan)
S1-1 Chesham Stakes (David Duggan)
This race is for the juveniles with less precocity and is always a good barometer for a nice staying three-year-old type.
The favourite is likely to be IHTIMAL who comes from the winning stable of last year, he has had two starts finishing runner-up in both over 1,200m. He has a clear chance.
Also under great consideration is SOMEWHAT from Mark Johnson’s stable. The son of DYNAFORMER was very impressive when winning over this 1,400m trip on his sole start at Musselburgh by no less than seven lengths. I think he will improve again and could be hard to catch if he adopts the same front running tactics.
The big yards of Hannon and O’Brien are as ever represented. BUNKER, the mount of Richard Hughes, impressed when landing his sole start at Haydock over 1,200m. His pedigree suggests 1,400m will not be a problem, whilst O’Brien has two runners. FRIENDSHIP, the mount of stable jockey Joseph O’Brien, third on debut over 1,400m and ADESTE FIDELES who was fifth on debut over 1,200m at Naas. Of that trio BUNKER is likely to come out on top.
There are many others with chances but it could pay to follow an outsider in the shape of LONE WARRIOR the mount of Tom Queally. This son of ORATORIO sprang a surprise in a decent maiden at Salisbury over 1,200m and could well improve enough here to figure.
SELECTIONS: 15. SOMEWHAT, 20. IHTIMAL, 10. LONE WARRIOR & 2. BUNKER
S1-2 Hardwicke Stakes (Wally Pyrah)
This looks a great opportunity for progressive EKTIHAAM to confirm his high reputation held by connections. This beautifully bred INVINCIBLE SPIRIT gelding advertised his credentials when scoring decisively in Listed company over the course and distance last time with rivals THOMAS CHIPPENDALE second, and last season’s Epsom Derby runner-up MAIN SEQUENCE third. Previously he had made a promising seasonal comeback when third to AL KAZEEM in the Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown in April, with the winner advertising the form by subsequently winning two Group 1 races, including the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot on Wednesday.
An obvious threat will be globe-trotting Luca Cumani-trained MOUNT ATHOS, who has developed into a top-class performer, and ran away from his rivals when winning the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester in May. Admittedly that was a weak race on paper, but the six-year-old was considered an unlucky loser in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup at Flemington, Australia last November.
Lady Cecil is represented by previous Royal Ascot winner THOMAS CHIPPENDALE and NOBLE MISSION, who finished first and second respectively in the King Edward VII Stakes over 2,400m at the Royal Ascot meeting last summer. While NOBLE MISSION has plenty of ability, he is not straightforward, and has been unsuited by small select fields in the past, and is likely to be at his best in races where he can find cover. Preference goes to his stablemate THOMAS CHIPPENDALE who although beaten by EKTIHAAM last time, would prove dangerous if allowed to dictate his own tempo from the front.
Progressive SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD must enter calculations, having won both his races this season, and representing the Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore combination who were successful with SEA MOON in this race last year.
AIKEN, who finished fourth in that race, might prefer a longer trip, while previous Royal Ascot winner DANDINO, although showing no signs of regressing with age, may find this company too hot.
SELECTIONS: 3. EKTIHAAM, 4. MOUNT ATHOS, 8. THOMAS CHIPPENDALE & 6. SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD
S1-3 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (David Duggan)
This race is as competitive as the King’s Stand Stakes run earlier in the week and a host of horses can be expected to have a chance.
Jim Goldie has had this race in mind for a long time for the really tough sprinter HAWKEYETHENOO, a horse that will finally have his preferred good or quicker ground. He has had two starts over 1,200m so far and has finished fourth on both occasions, but he seems to like Ascot and was a very good runner up in a similar race last October when runner up to another of today’s rivals MAAREK, I will be hoping he can go one better.
SOCIETY ROCK is sure to be popular for Fallon and he has a very good record at Ascot too but he has had a somewhat interrupted campaign. A horse that was runner up to him last time out over 1,200m at York, LETHAL FORCE makes plenty of appeal, he is very consistent and could just be able to improve past SOCIETY ROCK as he is only a four-year-old.
As ever we have an Australian sprinter making an appearance in this international field and SEA SIREN has a real chance having been bought by Coolmore Stud with a view to the future. She was second at Flemington when last seen but this race has long been the target.
Edward Lynam had a day to remember on Tuesday with SOLE POWER winning and he relies on SLADE POWER here, his most recent third at the Curragh over 1,200m was a solid effort and he too could well run a good race.
SELECTIONS: 5. HAWKEYETHENOO, 7. LETHAL FORCE, 16. SEA SIREN & 11. SLADE POWER
DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-2:
Banker – 3. EKTIHAAM
Selections – 4. MOUNT ATHOS, 8. THOMAS CHIPPENDALE, 6. SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD & 5. NOBLE MISSION
S1-3:
Banker – 5. HAWKEYETHENOO
Selections – 7. LETHAL FORCE, 18. ROSDHU QUEEN, 10. SIRIUS PROSPECT & 11. SLADE POWER
S1-4 Wokingham Stakes (Handicap) (Wally Pyrah)
A fiendishly difficult puzzle for bettors to evaluate, with a cavalry charge of the field thundering down a straight 1,200m track, and the barrier numbers sure to play a big part in proceedings. Tuesday’s racing at Royal Ascot highlighted a track bias for horses drawn high, but the following afternoon the pendulum had swung to low numbers having an advantage. A piece of advice, watch the previous race – Diamond Jubilee Stakes over 1,200m – and look for any advantage in the draw before making a final decision.
Sir Michael Stoute-trained DUKE OF FIRENZE has headed the odds market ever since his heart stopping ‘Dash’ victory at Epsom over 1,000m at the beginning of the month, when he cut through the entire field in the last 400m to lead on the finishing line. Although he picked up a 5lbs penalty for that win, the extra 200m will be in his favour – has won twice previously over 1,200m – and he will be fancied to give his trainer his first ever Wokingham victory.
REX IMPERATOR enters calculations having won a 0-105 rated handicap off his present rating at Windsor last summer. Although his form took a downward curve at the end of the season, he bounced back to form for new trainer William Haggas when runner up at Doncaster in March. That race was over 1,400m, but he is far better suited by a strongly run 1,200m race.
Another horse worth a second look is GABRIEL’S LAD who beat DUKE OF FIRENZE into fifth place when winning on soft ground over the course and distance last October. Having finished runner-up on his reappearance at Newmarket, he looks like he has been earmarked for this race, and could prove good value.
It maybe worth making a short-list which also includes the likes of MASS RALLY – won last season’s competitive Silver Cup at Ayr over 1,200m. The improving-NOCTURN, who just failed to land a successful hat-trick recently. MORACHE MUSIC, an unlucky fourth in this race last year. BOOMERANG BOB, who has posted several good efforts in Group company, and was seventh in last season’s Group 3 Jersey Stakes at the Royal meeting, and finally long-shot PALACE MOON, who finished close-up in this event last season, and races off a 4lbs lower mark.
SELECTIONS: 20. REX IMPERATOR, 10. DUKE OF FIRENZE, 24. GABRIEL'S LAD & 8. MORACHE MUSIC
S1-5 Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap) (David Duggan)
A huge field of decent staying handicappers goes to post for this race and much of the focus will surround likely favourite RYE HOUSE who represents the powerful combination of Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore. This is just the type of horse the trainer excels with and he looked very progressive when winning on his last start at York over 2,000m that was on the back of an unlucky second at Salisbury over today’s distance. He has been brought along slowly and is now begining to bloom and could just be too good for his rivals today.
It will be no surprise to see several of these horses improve in this race as now they encounter slightly better underfoot conditions. SILVER LIME, trained by Roger Charlton and to be ridden by man of the moment James Doyle, is just the type to do that. He has been running well, especially when runner up at Ascot over 2,400m on his final start of 2012, with two runs under his belt this year and this combination in great form, he could go well at a big price.
COMMUNICATOR, trained by Andrew Balding, was an eye catching third on his seasonal debut to the very useful MOUNT ATHOS at Chester over 2,600m in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes. He will have come on a lot for that effort he could make the frame as could STENCIVE for Frankie Dettori who has had only one outing so far in the current campaign but showed his liking for this distance and track when second on his final start last September.
SELECTIONS: 7. RYE HOUSE, 17. SILVER LIME, 10. COMMUNICATOR & 6. STENCIVE
S1-6 Queen Alexandra Stakes (Wally Pyrah)
The final race of the five day Royal meeting and is the longest race of 4,345m in the UK flat racing calendar. French challenger SHAHWARDI will be a popular choice with many fans, having chased home – beaten seven lengths – last season’s dual Royal Ascot winner SIMENON in this event. The winner subsequently finished a gallant second in the Group 1 Gold Cup on Thursday at Royal Ascot. SHAHWARDI was given a warm-up for this race over 3,100m in a Group 2 event at Longchamp last month and will now be in peak condition. He also has the added bonus of Frankie Dettori in the saddle.
With the majority of contenders having never been tested over this trip, there has to be question marks over whether horses will stay, although COURTESY CALL won a hurdle race at Taunton last month over 3,900m and should see out the trip.
That comment also applies to JUNIOR from the dangerous David Pipe yard who does so well at this meeting with his stayers. Jockey Ryan Moore is a significant booking for the horse.
COSIMO DE MEDICI is worth a second look on his form. He never showed in this event last season when strongly fancied and maybe the form should be ignored. Richard Hughes’ mount was encouraging over 3,200m at Goodwood recently when runner-up to PALAZZO BIANCO and can be expected to run well.
The Irish challenge is spearheaded by CUL BAIRE who warmed up for this race when staying on too well for his rivals over 2,800m at Leopardstown. He is also associated with the combination of Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning who won the St James’s Palace Stakes with DAWN APPROACH on Tuesday.
Others to put on the short-list include NO HERETIC, a winner of three of his nine starts, who has Jamie Spencer in the saddle, and will be coming fast and late in the closing stages.
CHIBERTA KING won a hurdle race over 3,800m at Newbury in January, and ran well in Group company last season. He needs to be up with the tempo from the off, and could play an important part in the finish.
SELECTIONS: 14. SHAHWARDI, 16. COURTESY CALL, 4. CUL BAIRE & 3. COSIMO DE MEDICI
Overseas Expert Column for Diamond Jubilee Stakes Day (Wendyll Woods)
S1-1 Chesham Stakes
The final day of Royal Ascot 2013 could hardly get off to a more difficult start, with the Listed Chesham Stakes over 1,400m for 2-y-o. However the place to start is with the Richard Hannon-trained BUNKER who has only had the one start, but won it in very taking fashion at Haydock over 1,200m. This race was immediately nominated as his target afterwards and taking into account normal progression, he looks like he will take plenty of beating here for his shrewd connections.
The list of dangers however is long, with so many unexposed rivals, none more so than FRIENDSHIP for the all-conquering Ballydoyle and Aidan O’Brien. Only third on his debut, it looks decisive that Joseph O’Brien has decided to take this ride. A son of GALILEO, he was beaten 3 lengths on soft ground at Listowel, he is sure to have come on plenty for that and wasn’t knocked about by his jockey. The better ground is sure to suit and improvement looks sure to be forthcoming.
It is also always important to keep an eye on the Godolphin yard who run two here and I’m most interest in AUTUMN LILY. She looks like the second string on jockey bookings, but I was most taken with her winning performance on debut when a well-backed favourite. She is another who is bred to appreciate the step up in trip and can be expected to be staying on strongly at the business end of the race.
A final one to keep an eye out for is TINGA for Mick Channon who loves an Ascot winner. Although only third on her only start, I was most taken with this run as she was staying on strongly at the finish, going into plenty of notebooks as a massive eye catcher. Bred for 1,400m and further, the step up in trip here will be ideal and at a big price she is worth including in your exotics.
SELECTIONS: 2. BUNKER, 7. FRIENDSHIP, 18. AUTUMN LILY & 21. TINGA
S1-2 Hardwicke Stakes
The Hardwicke Stakes has a Group 1 standard in all but name. This Group 2 is run over 2,400m has produced some brilliant winners over the years and MOUNT ATHOS will be looking to add his name to this illustrious list. His campaign will be focused around another tilt at the Melbourne Cup in November, but after his Group 3 victory last time out at Chester, this looks a good move to run here. He was a decisive winner by 9 lengths at Chester and comes into this as the highest rated runner. He handles all types of ground and although he ran poorly on his only other start at Ascot, the long straight here should play to his strengths.
Likely to follow him home is EKTIHAAM who won over this course and distance last time out. Although that was only a Listed event, he won with great authority on his first start at Ascot which suggests that he took an immediate liking to this unique racecourse. Only 2lbs behind MOUNT ATHOS on ratings, he is only 4-y-o and looks to have trained on over the winter. He is still very progressive and is a huge danger here, along with THOMAS CHIPPENDALE. They have opposed each other twice this season, with THOMAS CHIPPENDALE back in second behind EKTIHAAM at Ascot last time out, but the placings were the other way round back in April at Sandown, when THOMAS CHIPPENDALE got his head just in front (both finished behind impressive the new Prince of Wales’s Stakes winner AL KAZEEM). THOMAS CHIPPENDALE is a Royal Ascot winner, having won the King Edward VII Stakes last year and has been unlucky not to win this year. He has an excellent chance of doing so here.
I suggest you to take a chance on SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD for a place as he has looked very progressive this year, with two victories in two starts, raising him 13lbs in the handicap. He has every right to take his chance here and we don’t yet know just how good he could be.
SELECTIONS: 4. MOUNT ATHOS, 3. EKTIHAAM, 8. THOMAS CHIPPENDALE & 6. SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD
S1-3 Diamond Jubilee Stakes
The final Group 1 of the meeting is the Diamond Jubilee Stakes over 1,200m and attracts the best sprinters from around the world. However the place to start is here in Britain with SOCIETY ROCK, who has proved himself the best sprinter this country currently has. Winner of this race 2 years ago, he would also gone close to beating BLACK CAVIAR last year if he hadn’t so badly missed the break, giving away 4 or 5 lengths at the start before only being beaten 2 lengths at the finish. Since then, he has won the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock and a Group 2 at York on his seasonal reappearance this year. He looks the one to beat on a course he loves for a trainer, James Fanshawe, who knows exactly how to ready one for the big occasions.
Clive Cox was unlucky with RECKLESS ABANDON on Tuesday, but may get some compensation here with LETHAL FORCE, who has only 2 wins from 13 starts, but looks the sort to turn into a serious sprinter. He spent most of his 3-y-o campaign racing over 1,400m, but was dropped back to 1,200m on his first start as a 4-y-o when an excellent second in the Group 2 behind SOCIETY ROCK at York. He can be expected improve massively for that effort and the better ground gives him an outside chance of reversing that form.
British Champions Sprint Stakes winner MAAREK has been one of the most consistent sprinters for the last year or so. Although he hasn’t been at his best so far this season, he loves Ascot and is sure to be race fit, having run only last Sunday. However my concern is that he is very slow to get out of the stalls and that he may give away too much ground at the start to give him a chance of winning.
A final one to note is DANDY BOY who hasn’t won since winning the Wokingham Stakes at this meeting last year. Since then he has been very disappointing, but Royal Ascot form is very important and his proven ability to handle the occasion and especially this course and distance, gives him a big chance of bouncing back to form here.
SELECTIONS: 12. SOCIETY ROCK, 7. LETHAL FORCE, 8. MAAREK & 1. DANDY BOY
DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (9 unit bets):
S1-2:
Banker – 4. MOUNT ATHOS
Selections – 3. EKTIHAAM, 8. THOMAS CHIPPENDALE & 6. SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD
S1-3:
Banker – 12. SOCIETY ROCK
Selections – 7. LETHAL FORCE, 8. MAAREK & 1. DANDY BOY
S1-4 Wokingham Stakes (Handicap)
The Wokingham Stakes over 1,200m is a mighty sight as many high class thoroughbreds make their way down the Ascot straight. Finding the winner is no easy task but one sure to run a big race is DUKE OF FIRENZE, winner of the “Dash” at Epsom last time out. He got a brilliant ride that day from Ryan Moore, who weaved his way through the field and the way he was staying on that day suggests that the step up in trip of 200m should pose no problems. He is continually improving and a rise of only 4lb perhaps underplays how good he was at Epsom.
There are however a whole host of likely challengers, including NOCTURN and YORK GLORY. NOCTURN was most impressive when winning over this trip at Newmarket last time out, lengthening his spell of not being out of the front two in his last 7 runs. He races under a 5lb penalty here, which will make his life difficult, but the fourth in that race at Newmarket has subsequently won, suggesting that it was a good race.
I’ve had my eye on YORK GLORY for quite a while now as a sprinter to follow and I think that today will be the day he could have his breakthrough victory. He has been tried over a variety of trips, showing a good blend of speed and stamina which will hold him in good stead here. Jamie Spencer takes the ride, so expect him to be held up and come with a late run that may just catch a few of the early leaders out.
Others to note include the consistent DINKUM DIAMOND for Henry Candy, who was third in the “Dash” at Epsom and looks to be coming back to his best form. He’ll love the quick ground and is sure to be there or thereabouts.
If you’re looking for one who will go under the radar, look out for ROYAL ROCK for in-form trainer Chris Wall. Although he is now 9-y-o, he was second on his seasonal reappearance and has run some big races at Ascot.
SELECTIONS: 10. DUKE OF FIRENZE, 14. YORK GLORY, 18. NOCTURN & 16. DINKUM DIAMOND
S1-5 Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap)
This race looks another opportunity for the Qatar Racing Ltd. outfit to get another winner on the board with CARAVAN ROLLS ON. Trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam, he ran a solid race on seasonal debut behind TIGER CLIFF, who came second here on Tuesday in the Ascot Stakes. He was sent off favourite last time out, so plenty was clearly expected and this 5-y-o has only had the 10 starts, so is still open to plenty of improvement, especially over this course and distance, as he won here back in 2011.
Famous owners Highclere Racing haven’t had much luck this week, but perhaps OPINION can change that here. He had a hit and miss 3-y-o campaign, with good performances followed up by terrible ones, but if he has matured as a 4-y-o, then there is a good chance he can build on his promising seasonal debut when third.
However, it is interesting to note the Sir Michael Stoute has another runner in the field, RYE HOUSE, and that stable jockey Ryan Moore has elected to ride that one. RYE HOUSE was very impressive at York last time out and was raised 9lbs for that victory, but Moore obviously feels that he has a better chance than OPINION. However I’m slightly concerned that the victory at York came on soft ground, which it definitely won’t be here, so for that reason I think a place may be all he can hope for.
The 5-y-o VOODOO PRINCE was the first progeny of the brilliant mare OUIJA BOARD and is still unexposed after only 12 starts. He has lots of ability and off a mark of only 95 can make an impact here. He flopped last time out, but is another who is sure to improve for the return to the better ground.
SELECTIONS: 12. CARAVAN ROLLS ON, 13. OPINION, 7. RYE HOUSE & 11. VOODOO PRINCE
S1-6 Queen Alexandra Stakes
The traditional end to Royal Ascot is the longest Flat race in Britain, the Queen Alexandra Stakes run over 4,345m and has been dominated in recent years by jump trainers and their horses. Likely to run well is MAD MOOSE, who has been rejuvenated by the switch to the flat, having previously been running in Grade 1 races over fences. He won at Doncaster over 2,400m on good to firm ground at the beginning of this flat season in a maiden, before running a career best when second to MOUNT ATHOS in a Group 3 at Chester last time out. If he can reproduce that form, then stamina should be no concern and he will take all the beating here. A concern is that he can be temperamental and refused to race like last time at York, but if his mind is in the right place today, he will be tough to beat.
COURTESY CALL spent his flat career with Mark Johnston, before switching last winter to champion jumps trainer Nicky Henderson where he made a decent start to his jumping career. However he was also very good on the flat and runs here of a mark of 88, having looked very progressive at the end of his 3-y-o flat season. If resuming that upward curve, his natural speed in the home straight may give him a big advantage.
Perhaps the most interesting runner is STOPPED OUT, who will be having only his second start on the flat and is highly rated over hurdles. However on his only flat start, he was an impressive second to BOLD SNIPER, who was third on Thursday here. Although he is an 8-y-o, he was quite well supported that day in the UK market and if he builds upon that initial promise, he will be a player here, especially if there is any rain.
Old favourite JUNIOR also returns here, having been declared a non-runner on Tuesday after a poor scope. Now a 10-y-o, he has won as this meeting before back in 2010 and is one who always saves his best efforts for the big occasions. With Ryan Moore in the saddle, he can put in a performance that will cheer the heart of all racing fans.
SELECTIONS: 7. MAD MOOSE, 16. COURTESY CALL, 15. STOPPED OUT & 6. JUNIOR
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