Racing
Ascot betting preview: Mohaather faces competition in Summer Mile
Jack Nunn landed the Place 6 in his last preview and he’s back to try and repeat the trick with an Ascot betting preview ahead of Saturday’s Rollover Place 6. Read on for his preview and join his Syndicate.
Ascot betting preview
12:25 Ascot – Novice Auction Stakes
A weaker looking two-year-old event than we are used to at Ascot in the first leg of my Ascot betting preview and it might not take too much winning. There are only two previous horses who have run before, and they both bring good form to the table. Bobby On The Beat finished 3rd in a relatively strong looking Novice race over 6 furlongs at Newmarket. A repeat of this run would surely see him go close and he is taken to improve past Rommel who also brings some good form to the table after winning nicely last time. He now has a 7lb penalty for this win and that looks enough for Bobby on the Beat to step up and beat him.
Verdict: Bobby On The Beat and Rommel
1:00 Ascot – Novice Stakes
What can be described as very trappy 4 runner affair, it is hard to rule out any of these for the Place 6. Lightness would be my pick, now stepped up to 1m4f after showing some very good Novice and Maiden form over 10 furlongs. Margaret Dumont made an encouraging debut in a strong Thirsk Maiden, while Be Easy was fourth on Debut and will improve markedly for that run. It is hard to split these 3 with them all showing similar form in their Maidens and Novice races. The one that probably looks held is Haida Gwaii who has shown less ability than the others, though that was over a mile and the step up to 12 furlongs could make all the difference. If she was to win it would through the pool open, so it is worth having her in for this reason.
Verdict: Lightness, Margaret Dumont, Be Easy, and Haida Gwaii
1:30 Ascot – Handicap
A very competitive 1m6f Handicap where I am siding with the Tom Dascombe trained Rajinsky who could be a big improver over staying distances this year. He ran a great race on return to action, staying on into third over 12 furlongs, in a race which could be described as stronger than todays. He was then stuck wide and too far back when 7th in the Northumberland plate last time. This track and distance look sure to suit and I think he will run a huge race. Sexy Beast could also be one to keep on the right side of. After nearly 2 years off the track, he has returned in good form, running well in defeat on 3 occasions, most recently finishing 2nd at Kempton over two miles. Before his time off he ran a great third off 3lbs lower in an ultra-competitive 14-furlong handicap at Haydock. Back to that sort of form would see him run a big race here. Calling The Wind could also run into a place on the back of an excellent 4th at Chelmsford behind Collide and some other smart stayers who have gone onto frank the form since. He is an improving horse, and if as effective back on turf, could run a big race.
Verdict: Rajinsky, Sexy Beast, and Calling The Wind
2:05 Ascot – Handicap
The Sandringham Royal Ascot form could come to the fore here with Declared Interest running a big race into 5th, being beaten only 3 lengths. She is up 3lbs, but that might not be enough to stop her in this weaker race. Al Rasmah was 2 lengths behind her that day, but with a swing in the weights could get closer on this occasion on ground that should suit better than last time. She is also by the brilliant Iffraaj, whose crop appreciate a sounder surface. Melnikova could be anything, and off 83 is potentially thrown in here after winning a fillies Novice race which has worked out impeccably well, before finishing a 9 length 3rd to Equilateral. She’s been off since but could potentially be very smart and she would just about be my pick to win this.
Verdict: Melnikova, Declared Interest, and Al Rasmah
2:40 Ascot – Handicap
Another very ‘trappy’ 4 runner race in which Celestran trained by John Gosden will be the likely favourite. He ran a good race to be 3rd to subsequent derby 2nd Kalifa Sat in a listed race last time and could be well treated off a mark of 88. It’s hard to split him and Dubai Souq who bolted up at Nottingham on his final start last year in a brilliant time, suggesting he’s a group horse in the making. He may be able to defy the weight he has to give to the others with a repeat of that performance here. For the purposes of the Place 6 it is wise to add in Carlos Felix and Summit Reach. Though perhaps hard to see them winning, it is not out of the question and off very low weights where tactics will play a big part they do come into the equation.
Verdict: Celestran, Dubai Souq, Carlos Felix, and Summit Reach
3:15 Ascot – Group 2 Summer Mile
A brilliant renewal of this one-mile Group 2 to finish the Ascot betting preview, which despite Mohaather a short price favourite, to me looks wide open. He was ultimately very unlucky at Ascot last time and would have arguably run into a place had he got a clear run in the Queen Anne. A repeat of that performance would see him go close, but there could be a genuine group 1 miler lurking in this field, in the form of San Donato. His last run was over a year ago in the French Guineas, but that was an exceptional run to finish a close third to Persian King and Shaman (Pulling a couple lengths clear of the 4th). These two horses were brilliant group 1 performers last year, and San Donato was not beaten far by them. He has clearly had problems since, but the absence is not so much of a worry with him running well in the French Guineas last year after a break, and Roger Varian is brilliant at readying one from a return. It is always hard to ignore last years Queen Anne winner, Lord Glitters at Ascot. He has a great record when fresh, and it would be no surprise here if this likeable grey were to run another huge race on his seasonal bow.
Verdict: Mohaather, San Donat, and Lord Glitters
You could earn up to £100 (or currency equivalent) in bonus funds by joining Colossus with our New Player Bonus. Click here to join the action.
