Horse racing betting: Memory to cap a Magical few days for flying Frankie
Despite the soggy conditions Royal Ascot has once again been a feast of world class racing.
The resurgence of Frankie Dettori has been a fantastic story for the sport and I expect him to end a wonderful week with victory in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Saturday, 4.20pm) on MAGICAL MEMORY.
Successful 12 months ago in this race with Wesley Ward’s Undrafted, the Italian pitches up on Charlie Hills’ hugely progressive grey this time.
The son of Zebedee has won four of his last five starts, the latest a comfortable success in the Duke Of York Stakes last month.
All ground seems to come alike to him and, although he wouldn’t want a bog, he should be fine with the conditions.
This is his first start at Ascot, but he’s very uncomplicated and his trainer has the Midas touch with sprinters.
Another handler who is an expert with speedballs is James Fanshawe, who saddles Magical Memory’s biggest threat, The Tin Man.
Fanshawe won this race with Society Rock in 2011 and has always loved this Equiano gelding, who was an excellent fourth in the sprint on Champions Day last October.
He was impressive on his reappearance at Windsor a few weeks ago too, but it’s Magical Memory for me and he’s worth supporting at 9/2 with Coral.
Immediately after the Diamond Jubilee is the Wokingham (5.00pm) which is pretty much the trickiest puzzle you can ever dream of solving in horseracing.
Kevin Ryan scooped this prize with York Glory three years ago and he can follow up tomorrow with BRANDO.
I can see this four-year-old contesting Group races by the end of the season and I’m sure he’s well-handicapped off a mark of 101.
He’s finished first or second in six of his last seven starts which is some achievement for a sprinter. Take the 8/1 with Betway.
I’m also going to have a few quid on DINKUM DIAMOND at a monster 33/1 with Coral.
Henry Candy’s eight-year-old is down to a mark of 102 and Hector Crouch takes off another 5lbs from the saddle.
The fact that he stays seven furlongs is a big advantage at a stiff track like Ascot when there is cut in the ground.
Lastly, don’t miss BEST OF TIMES in the Wolferton (3.05pm). He had some strong form in Listed company last term and his reappearance at Chester looked like a pipe-opener for this.
And don’t forget you’ve got one more day to sign up for Racing UK’s free one month trial. Visit racinguk.com/freetrial for details.
SATURDAY POINTERS
Best Of Times, 3.05pm, Royal Ascot
Magical Memory, 4.20pm, Royal Ascot
Brando e/w, 5.00pm, Royal Ascot
Dinkum Diamond e/w, 5.00pm, Royal Ascot