Royal Ascot 2018

Didnt get a chance to do a write up for saturday so unfortunately couldnt get into a decent profit on the selections put up here.

Still managed to book a very small profit over the 4 days. Not quite what i would have hoped for but could have been worse after a bad start.
+1.70pts for the 4 days(and a little more for those getting guaranteed prices)

Saturday went ok for me. I wont aftertime but it was fine, but nothing stellar.

My main takeaways from the week are as follows.
1. Alpha Centauri!! She is a monster. Were she to show up against the boys(including Without Parole) id want to keep her onside. Price depending of course. Id imagine Without Parole would be overbet if they were to meet even though i am also a big fan of his. Id nearly have it as a match and would be surprised if she wasnt bigger in price.
2. The middle distance 3yo's are closely matched. Masar the obvious exception. He would have beaten anything that ran over a mile and a half there this week imo.
3. Contrary to the above i think Hunting Horn if taking another step forward could be a lively outsider for the Arc if the ground were to be Good in October. But he will need to improve again.
4. One of Kew Gardens or Southern France will be Aidans Gold Cup horse next year. I would guess Southern France but i really liked both performances in the Queens Vase. Stradivarius is clearly the one to beat. A lot of water to go under the bridge between now and then though.
5. I hope James McDonald stays riding over here more. He is an absolute superstar.
6. Settle for Bay will win a Gr2 or Gr3 mile race this year on good ground. Possibly the Gr2 that is on Champions day in Leopardstown.
7. Calyx is an absolute weapon. He will win the Dewhurst.
8. The older milers havent a hope of beating one of the top 3yo's if they show up in the Sussex.
9. Crystal Ocean is a good horse but i wasnt blown away as much as some. Think he will need to improve again to win the KG. Id much rather Stoute sent Poets Word there. Think he'd trash them if Cracksman didnt show up and if he did id still think he would be the one to beat.
10. With the uncertainty on Enable and Cracksman disappointing the Arc is absolutely wide open.

Overall i enjoyed the meeting but it didnt catch my attention as much as other years. There was a lack of absolute superstars with the exception of a few. Hopefully that will change as the season progresses.

Onwards and upwards to the Curragh to check out the Saxon Warrior strut his stuff. Anyone heading along be sure to get a nice pitch at the parade ring to see this lad. You will not be disappointed.

aidankkk wrote: »

My main though for the week, was to just give up trying to pick big priced horses, and just sit back and enjoy the racing. I was away on hols all week so didn't see everything.



I'm around a while and Alpha Centuri was as impressive a win as anything ive seen. She is unbeatable in that form


What happened to Harry Angel was a scadal (its not pocket talk), its the biggest sprint of the year and it clearly should not have started in that manner.

Also yes agree with that, that incident was a joke. I had no bet in that race but i thought it was a disgrace for anyone who punted him and very unsatisfactory. Surely the stall handlers could see the horses hind leg was caught up. Kirby obviously couldn't. The horse almost kicked the back of the stalls open. How they didnt decide to check him out after that i have no idea. I feel for anyone who did back him.