Chain Lightning to rule Britannia for Hannon
RICHARD Hannon made a tremendous start to this year’s Royal Ascot with Canford Cliffs’ defeat of Goldikova in the Queen Anne. That was the main target for the champion trainer over the five days, but he has a number of other decent chances and one I’m particularly sweet on is CHAIN LIGHTNING in this afternoon’s Britannia Handicap (4.25pm).
The son of Hurricane Run won really well on his seasonal reappearance at Sandown and has reportedly bloomed since then. He has form on good to firm and soft, so the forecast rain holds no concerns and it’s difficult to know at this stage if his draw in 11 is going to be a positive or a negative. The draw bias at Royal Ascot often changes during the week and with the ground likely to change, it may just be that the far side has an advantage today. He is available at 14/1 with William Hill.
There are scheduled to be 30 runners, so it’s obviously very difficult to find the winner and I always like to throw two darts at a race like the Britannia. John Gosden is a man to be feared in these big handicaps and the first-time blinkers on his TROPICAL BEACH certainly catches the eye. This fellow has only won once from five career starts, but his last two runner-up efforts have been excellent and the blinkers could spark the necessary improvement needed. He is also drawn up the stands side, which did seem the place to be on Tuesday, and is worth a saver at 12/1 with Star Sports.
Dangers abound in this race and the ones I’d be most worried about are Kuala Limper, Sagramor and Common Touch. The former has been in cracking form; Sagramor won the Silver Bowl at Haydock; and Common Touch is going for a hat-trick, although I’d be slightly concerned about the form of Richard Fahey’s stable with him.
Luca Cumani and Kieren Fallon teamed up to land the Tercentenary Stakes (formerly the Hampton Court) last year with Afsare and they seem to have laid out ALKIMOS for the race this year. He was an impressive winner of a Conditions race at Doncaster a couple of weeks ago, beating the well regarded Buthelezi easily. Cumani excels with this type of young horse and it will take a good one to stop the stable following up on last year’s win.
The main danger is Sir Michael Stoute’s Tazahum who has won both his starts this season at Sandown. He did well to beat Fury last time and is undoubtedly a top quality individual. However, he is yet to race beyond a mile and while a step up to 1m2f is likely to suit, you can never be sure. Aidan O’Brien’s Marksmanship has only had one run in his life, but that was an impressive win in a hot maiden at the Curragh and he could be anything. 8/1 with William Hill
The obvious place to start when looking at the closing King George V Stakes (5.35pm) is Mark Johnston. He has trained the winner three times in the past 10 years and goes to war with five this time. It’s difficult to know which one will be their best chance, so watch the market, but I’d marginally favour Eternal Heart who is going for a four-timer.
However, I’m going to head to Jeremy Noseda’s yard for the main selection as I think SUD PACIFIQUE could be a very decent animal indeed. The Montjeu colt sluiced up on his seasonal debut at Doncaster and then won again at York last month. The yard is absolutely flying and Ryan Moore is in the saddle, so all looks set for a big run.
There are plenty of dangers and the one I’d be most worried about would be Tom Dascombe’s Brown Panther. He came with a rattling late run to collar Fadhaa at Chester’s May meeting, but stepped up on that to easily land a decent handicap at Haydock. There’s a slight doubt that he’d be suited by softer ground, as those two wins came on good to firm, but he did win his two-year-old debut at Southwell which bodes well.
Pointers…
CHAIN LIGHTNING e/w 4.25pm Ascot
TROPICAL BEACH e/w 4.25pm Ascot
ALKIMOS 5.00pm Ascot
SUD PACIFIQUE e/w 5.35pm Ascot
IN-RUNNING TRADING HINTS
There probably isn’t a better race on the flat racing calendar for in-running exchange punters than this afternoon’s Gold Cup (3.45pm).
All eyes will be on multiple Group One winner Fame And Glory as he hopes to follow in former stablemate Yeats’ hoof prints by winning the marathon contest. However, I have serious concerns about his stamina and will be looking to lay him in-running at odds-on if he is still travelling well with half a mile to go.
I’ll also be keeping a close eye out for fancy in-running prices available about my main race selection Fictional Account. She may not travel that well early on, but there won’t be many finishing the race stronger. It would be a huge surprise if she doesn’t trade considerably bigger than the 22.0 currently available before contracting.
Looking at the other races and I’m also keen to lay the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Tazahum in-running in the 5.00pm. He may travel like the winner, but there is a chance he may not get home.
Finally, Pyman’s Theory and Everyday Dave both look classic back-to-lay material in the last. The pair have bundles of speed and will trade short if blazing the trail. However, that may be the time to reach for the lay button as they could get reeled in.
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