Race 1: Frankel

Race 2: Sole Power, Ortensia, Bated Breath

Race 3: Power

Race 4: Sir Prancealot, Dawn Approach, Englishman

Race 5: Elyaadi, Dark Ranger

Race 6: Lyric Ace, Cosmic Chatter

The above is 36 lines, which if you feel better about some more than others you might want to reduce that. Our tips, as usual, are in order of preference so if you decide to enter the Jackpot today we’d recommend the above. 

Good luck everyone! 

Ryan Moore: Widely considered the best jockey riding in Britain ( Photograph: Roger Bamber/Guardian)

Ryan Moore is a notoriously hard jockey to please. Two years ago on winning the Oaks on Snow Fairy under a splendid ride, he famously muttered, when asked to explain his jubilation, ‘Well it’s not the Derby is it?’ That he went on to complete a memorable Epsom double when partnering Workforce to a fabulous victory in the season’s showpiece 24 hours later hardly brought out more than a smile.

He was in the headlines again last weekend when he piloted Homecoming Queen to a glorious nine-length romp in the 1000 Guineas, giving Moore his first Guineas win. Yet it was rather apparent that the three-time champion jockey would rather have been anywhere else than under the spotlight on the podium for the presentation trophy. While Moore may be criticised for his unfriendly media image that should take nothing away from his talents in the saddle.

Having lost their Sagaro Stakes card to Kempton earlier in the month because of the poor weather which continues to plague British racing at the moment, Ascot will be desperate to put on a good show for tomorrow’s lucrative Victoria Cup card. And Moore may find himself with the eyes of the racing world upon him once more as I will be disappointed if he doesn’t go home to Newmarket without at least a treble. Ever since Frankie Dettori landed that magnificent bookie-busting seven-timer way back in 1996 punters have dreamed of a similar scenario and many a weekend punt consists of multiples on a particular jock’s rides. And on Ascot’s eight race card Moore appears to have leading chances on at least five of his mounts.

In the opening maiden it will be disappointing if Sir Maximillian cannot get off the mark at the third attempt. Ed Dunlop’s charge moved well in heavy ground last time out to finish second and with conditions slightly easier is a confident choice to get favourite backers off to the best possible start. Most of those with previous experience look exposed or limited but Miss Noble is a conceivable danger having looked a different proposition on the all-weather two weeks ago.

The Listed race that follows has only five runners and with one them being a 74-rated handicapper it looks just to concern the four. John Gosden’s Aiken has been extremely progressive winning his last four starts including a heavy ground handicap on his reappearance. He boasts a course and distance win and surely is the NAP of the day to give Moore a quick-fire double. Dawn Twister owes his 105 rating to credible efforts in German Group company last term and made a winning debut for his new stable but this is an entirely different proposition.

The 2.50 fillies handicap looks extremely competitive with at least half the 12 runners holding fair claims. Moone’s My Name will be a popular choice having made an impressive reappearance at Windsor last month and with the Ralph Beckett team continuing to go well deserves her place at the head of the market. The Queen’s runner Free Verse looks the first string of the Richard Hannon duo and is bred to be suited by this mile trip but her form is muddling and I would rather see her run than back her first time out. Moore’s ride Shesastar has been racing mainly at sprint trips but her running style suggests she is worth a crack at this trip. The David Barron stable isn’t in great form but it would be no surprise for her to go well at a price.

Big-field handicaps have become such a signature feature of the flat season and few are more competitive than the annual cavalry charge that is the Victoria Cup. 24 horses firing over a straight seven furlongs is quite a sight. Last year’s winner Hawkeyethenoo returns off a seven pound higher mark as he bids for back-to-back glory but after winning this in grand style he suffered from setbacks and has only been seen thrice more where he’s been disappointing. Jim Goldie’s beast can go well fresh but even with the services of jump-jock-gone-flat Graham Lee in the reins, it would take a monster effort to win.

Hawkeyenoo streaks to victory under Gary Bartley in last year’s Victoria Cup. Can the gelding repeat the success?

Tariq Too made an impressive start for his new yard and currently heads the market and he is clearly something of a seven furlong specialist with all four career wins coming over this intermediate trip. On Racing Post ratings he is one of the highest-rated and with the ground in his favour he could easily give Amy Weaver a notable success. It hasn’t been a bad race for market principals in the last decade but in such a big field I’m looking for one at a double-figure price.

Ryan Moore won this race in 2006 on Partners in Jazz and again has a genuine candidate for glory in the shape of David Elsworth’s mare Bonnie Brae. Nearly all her form is over the Victoria Cup trip and on softish ground so neither of these factors will be a problem. She has no great record fresh but we should assume she has been laid out with this race in mind and the form of her last race (in which she won) has worked out well. The second, Docofthebay,  won a Listed race next time up while further back in the field Captain Bertie was an unlucky in-running fourth in the Spring Mile this year before winning the Spring Cup at Newbury.

Furthermore Ryan Moore has a 100% success rate on Bonnie Brae with one win from one ride and as a trainer/jockey combo Elsworth and Moore have a very healthy 26% strike-rate over the last five years. At around the 12/1 mark I would be hopeful of a decent run for your money and with most firms paying five places Bonnie Brae is a nice each-way selection to include in the big Saturday ‘Moore Multiple’.

I can also spy more potential winners for Moore in the next two races where he teams up with champion trainer Richard Hannon on Janoub Nibras in the maiden sprint and then the unbeaten Mon Ami Julie in the 16.35 six-furlong handicap. Janoub Nibras was an expensive purchase related to a host of winners and from the family of French wonder-mare Goldikova. A couple of fancy entries imply he should be able to make an impact on the racecourse and the son of Acclamation should pick up the pieces if likely favourite Hototo disappoints.

Mon Ami Julie has raced solely on the all-weather where he made it two from two last month. Despite a pedigree for further he has taken well to sprinting and still looks well handicapped off 75. He has to prove his effectiveness on turf but in a race devoid of progressive looking horses Mon Ami Julie should have more to give.

In the last two contests both Kylladie and Dragonera have live chances in interesting races. Peace Seeker arrives looking for a four-timer but lacks the race fitness of some of the others in the 17.10. The concluding race features very smart hurdler Grumeti making a return to the flat in what is a very tricky heat. Local Hero was a narrow beaten favourite at Newmarket last weekend and bids for compensation but Dragonera boasts the highest rating aside from the German import Steuben who will surely find easier races in time. With two good hurdlers in the mix Dragonera is likely to go off at a bigger price than she should for a yard in good form and as we shall be hoping Moore is riding high on a crest of confidence following an unbelievable seven-timer, he can get her to the front and complete a perfect eight!

13:35 Doncaster: Jeer 7th

14:10 Doncaster: Born To Surprise 1st

14:20 Ascot: Kings Bayonet 1st

14:55 Ascot: Darna 1st

15:05 Limerick: Silverlord 3rd

15:30 Ascot: Clarion Call 5th

15:40 Limerick: Page Turner 4th

15:55 Doncaster:  Side Glance 4th

16:05 Ascot: Inside Dealer 3rd

16:15 Limerick: Leceile 4th

16:30 Doncaster: King Of Wands 2nd

16:40 Ascot: Fabalu (NAP) 2nd

16:50 Limerick: Crash 4th

17:15 Ascot: Imperial Circus 5th

17:50 Limerick: Penny’s Bill PU

I’m talking, of course, about complete coverage of Ascot Champions Day, the richest day in the history of UK racing. We’re fortunate to have two genuine UK PROPUNTERS willing to share their insights, Rob Dove ands Steven Bonnick. Click the links below to read what they have to say:

LONG DISTANCE CUP, G3, 8:50 ET A.M.

SPRINT STAKES, G2, 9:25 ET A.M.

FILLIES’ AND MARES’ STAKES, G2, 10:00 ET A.M.

QE2 (BRITISH CHAMPIONS MILE), G1, 10:35 ET A.M.

CHAMPION STAKES, G1, 11:10 ET A.M.

I gave the boys the nightcap off. But if you’re interested in my thoughts in the *other* QE2, check out this piece from over at the TwinSpires Blog.

I won’t insult you by wishing you good luck, but I will wish you all the absence of bad luck, which is all we horseplayers are ever really looking for.

And now, because I couldn’t find a youtube link for the Marcel Hall classic Pickin’ Boogers, but for an alternative clip, click here.

Will Dancing Rain add to her resume on Champions Day?

#1 Bolivia: doubtful

#2 Brushing: A progressive filly from last season, improving from lowly handicaps to score at Listed level. Has struggled badly this season pitched into Group races, however, and found nothing off the bridle last time back in Listed grade. Stable has been in moderate form all season and impossible to fancy in a race of this nature.

#3 Cill Rialaig: Two for two at Ascot but bot hwins came in much weaker races than this one. A consistent performer at her level, but that’s a few notches below this. She’s an unlikely winner.

#4 Crystal Capella: Devastating winner of equivalent race to this last season (run at Newmarket as the Pride Stakes). Looked again a very good mare when destroying good colts at Newmarket in July, but that form hasn’t worked out and she’s looked outclassed in Group 1 races the last two. Stable hasn’t really been firing in 2011, and although top-rated here, will probably find one or two too good.

#5 Ferdoos: Lightly-raced, only had four runs and won three, unlucky in sole defeat. Beat likely favourite Vita Nova at Haydock in May, but not seen on the track and had problems with lameness. Apparently had this race in mind for a while so fitness shouldn’t be an issue, but this is a tough spot and she has quirks (hanged and jinked last two runs). Chance, despite this.

#6 Gertrude Bell: Went off the boil after promising first-half of season in 2010 but won both starts this season, although probably fortunate last time (more on that later). Is tough, but looks a little short of the level required here.

#7 Meeznah: Needs decent ground and at times is a very smart performer. Won two of her last three by wide margins, disappointing against colts in between, probably unsuited by the ground. Small field suits her, as will this stiff track and good gallop, even if short straight may not be ideal for this stayer. Chance.

#8 Vita Nova: Beaten into second on her last three starts but has enhanced her reputation each time. Closely matched with Ferdoos on their meeting in May and should be able to reverse the form with Gertrude Bell, as the saddle slipped very badly when they last met and her jockey nearly fell off. Narrow second in a Group 1 last time gives her leading chance here, even if that form hasn’t worked out.

#9 Banimpire: Ridiculously tough filly who’s been running big races since March and is set for her 12th run of the season here. Disappointed at York – suspect ground there and too keen – and might be better going right-handed, so this track will suit (won here before). Seems to go on any ground and ran another fine race last time, albeit looking as though she has achieved the peak of her ability. That should be enough to run a bold race, though, and should be slugging it out for the places.

#10 Bible Belt: Wildly progressive until last time when disappointing on ground connections believe was too soft for her. Unexposed over this trip and might even improve for it, while return to a decent surface should also suit her. Has a shot at a price.

#11 Dancing Rain: Won Epsom Oaks under agreat ride. Has plenty of pace so probably unsuited by slog in Irish Oaks, particularly as ground would have been too soft for this good-moving filly. Smashed up some inferior German fillies last time out and could be hard to beat here, with the short straight likely to suit her perfectly. Drawn wide so she may struggle if sent forward, but shapes as though she could excel for being dropped out and delivered late.

Conclusion: A strong pace and a good test look likely here. Much will depend on the tactics employed on Dancing Rain, who looks very solid, provided her early speed is utilised effectively. Assuming the ground doesn’t soften, Meeznah and Bible Belt look the best outsiders.

other sites i recomend:

www.hennessygoldgcupbetting.com

www.thearcbetting.com 

www.federerodds.com 

www.tourdefrancebetting.com