As another pulsating Royal Ascot draws to a close, Saturday's card gets no easier for punters as they have the small matter of deducing the Wokingham Stakes on the fifth and final day of the equine extravaganza.
A field of 28 runners will head to the six furlong start in this tough handicap and currently Mick Easterby's Hoof It heads the market at 13/2 with Paddy Power. A consistent gelding this four-year-old has been in blistering form in large runner handicaps and was last seen winning a York contest beating some decent opposition. However, he has been upped another six-pound for that one-length success and this will be a lot tougher contest and is far too short.
In such a difficult contest you want a progressive sort and second favourite Deacon Blues (7/1) is definitely one that ticks that box. Another four-year-old, the James Fanshawe-trained contender showed he was still improving when finishing second to Imperial Guest (20/1) over course and distance. Nevertheless, Imperial Guest has only been upped four pounds by the handicapper and with Deacon Blues only upped two pound, it should be tight between them. Yet again though the 7/1 looks very skinny about a horse who has not taken on this calibre of horses before.
Hughie Morrison has had a great Royal meeting and his raider Pastoral Player (11/1) was an impressive two-length winner of a strong Newmarket handicap last time out. A seven pound rise for the four-year-old could stretch her but with Richard Hughes, who has also had a great meeting, in the saddle could be the one they all have to beat.
Dandy Nicholls is always a name to be wary of over the sprint distances and he and son Adrian will send the interesting Victoire De Lyphar to post. Fourth behind the classy Bated Breath last time out he will relish the drop back to handicap company and if he can repeat his run in the Ayr Gold Cup must stand a massive chance at 10/1 with PaddyPower.
Some at bigger prices that stand out include the consistent Masamah, who at 20/1 is over-priced. An eye-catching winner of the York Sprint Handicap the Kevin Ryan-trained five-year-old then struggled to land a blow in the Investec Dash on Derby day. He struggled to go the pace that day and could never get on terms with the leaders, however, he was staying on at the end and the step back up to six furlongs could be the answer and he is the each-way shout.
Of the others, High Standing (20/1) has been running in much better company, but will have to contend with top weight, but if at his best could sneak a place, whilst Prime Defender (33/1) sits on an all-time low mark for the turf, but will have to resurrect his form if he is to get close in this intriguing renewal.
In a tough ask for punters the two who could be fighting out the finish are Pastoral Player and Masamah with the former just prevailing for Messrs Morrison and Hughes.
13/2 Hoof It
7/1 Deacon Blues
10/1 Victoire De Lyphar
11/1 Pastoral Player
11/1 Mac's Power
14/1 Nasri
16/1 Addictive Dream
16/1 Swiss Cross
16/1 Waffle
20/1 Bar
Odds supplied by Paddypower.com, going best odds guaranteed on all UK and Irish horse racing and also offer five places in the Wokingham.
Posted: Friday, 17th June 2011
Author: Steve Chambo
Tags: royal ascot, wokingham stakes, hoof it, pastoral player, paddypower,
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