After the usual separate threads for the big meetings last year, as well as for Chelts & Aintree over the jumps this year, makes sense to have one for the 5 days of Ascot + the build up. Will be easier to keep the Ascot discussion/tips separate from the other racing and sports discussion.

5 potentially cracking days of flat action in store if all of the big names make it there.

Lets find out best bets, any bankers, any value, any horses that are under-priced and to be avoided. Anyone going down for any of the days?

In work at 7 in the morning so will add my views and such at some point tomorrow.

3rd and final bet of the meeting is in the Gold Cup.
Fame and Glory should take the beating, and on breeding should get the trip.
Duncan looks like he has stamina doubts, and the rest of the field don't really look upto standard, except for Manighar who's best form looks to be on softened ground, and Holberg, who needs fast ground. A winner over 2m at the meeting last year, his stamina looks assured, and has Ascot specialist (Dettori) on board). Had a good pipe-opener in the best trial, on ground he did'nt like, so assumoing the ground rides the predicted good/firm, he looks the most likely to shake up the favourite.

Holberg 10/1 @ Hills.

£10 win Patent;

Cape Blanco 6/1 Queen Anne
Planteur 7/2 Prince of Wales
Holberg 10/1 Gold Cup...

Monsieur Chevalier

King’s Stand Stakes 50/1 EW
Golden Jubilee Stakes 66/1 EW

10/3 Treble

Canford
Frankel
So You Think

Single on Canford @ 11/8

Patent looks scuppered before it's started. Plenty of rain around and more to come



Added Manigar @14s as a saver in case of soft ground.

Simcock will be doing a rain dance in hope of getting Dream Ahead's campaign underway.

Looks like its worked good to soft.

Going to have a look for some soft lovers

Just found this thread, good shout. Let's hope we have some success like certain posters did at Chelt



It's gonna be on the soft side by the looks of this year, which could make things more interesting.

Surely Goldikova will be more at home on good to soft than Canford.
Cityscape has a bit to find but the ground will be on his side, could run into a place.

Ascot straight going will 'probably be good' after dry day.

Topped up on Canford @ 6/4

Only two places now Hannon has pulled Dick Turpin out



Liking the look of Zigato in the Ascot Stakes, though 5s is a bit shorter than I'd imagined. Will try and nick some 6s on course

On the basis that stamina comes from the dam and ground preference from the sire, then the ground will not suit Canford Cliffs. His sire ( tagula) had a distinct preference for fast ground, every time he encountered soft or worse, he was beaten. Goldikova has the repeat winners and age stat against her,plus the non-committed comments from the trainer after her d'Ispahan win. softening ground also brings in Cityscape and Rio de la Plata. Ergo;

Place lay both Canford Cliffs and Goldikova. Potentially 5 horses going for 2 places.

Ascot Stakes 5.00 Australia Day 20/1 EW 4 Places

Made a name for himself last year with a couple of impressive win over hurdles, ran well on the flat in 2009 and 2010 is now on his lowest mark for 2 years only 3lbs higher then his last win, has a good record at Ascot of two 2nds and a 4th.

Has never raced over further then 2m1f but the track record he set at Kempton last year suggests it shouldn't be a problem, hasn't raced for 7 months but the booking of Murtagh is a plus.