Ascot Jazz

Our new Speed Ratings continue to go well. You can view them for free HERE

The (4) and (5) graded races recovered their form, Tuesday. There were eight successful races from nine. Four were won by the clear top rated and four by the 2nd top rated (three of them joint). One race was unsuccessful.

I should have gone with overall form for the listed race at Bath. Look Busy just poked her nose in front on the line. My selection, Pusey Street Girl, never showed in the front rank. I thought the stiff 5f would suit her, but they were too speedy early on and, though she stayed on fairly well at the end, the trip ultimately proved too sharp. She proved here that 6f is her trip.

The rain came in sufficient quantity to soften the ground for Postmaster who was just as impressive as he was at Southwell. Well backed, he never looked in danger of losing and won very easily. So the mathematicians were right again: two negatives do make a positive after all.

I notice they are claiming bragging rights on the Racing Post, saying you could have got 9/2 when it was tipped up. But you saw it here first - a long night before the Racing Post gave it. And I will only claim an 11/4 winner. All this "best price available" (9/2 in this case) is deceptive codswallop. It was best price for those few who saw it first. Ten minutes after that no-one could have got that price. Though some people will have got 3/1 (or possibly 7/2) at best, most people will have got 11/4. So an 11/4 winner it is. And, let's be honest, it wasn't the hardest favourite winner to find.

Wednesday at Ascot sees probably the best 2-Y-O seen so far and one of the most promising 4-Y-O stayers in training.

Red Jazz (2-10) should further enhance his Royal Ascot prospects. He won so well at Windsor, it is hard to see him being beaten. Walkingonthemoon should follow him home with Planet Red and Archers Road fighting out third.

Patkai (3-55) already has a Royal Ascot win in his cabinet (the Queens Vase) and will be looking to solidify his Gold Cup chances. He is currently 10/1 (Skybet) and will plummet if he wins this well. The flea is Tungsten Strike ridden by Darryll Holland who is probably the best front running jockey around. The horse is becoming a feature of this race having been 2nd when the race was run at Lingfield, winning it two years ago, and being withdrawn because of softening ground last year. He looks to be a realistic danger to Patkai whose only other possible danger is his jockey. If Darryll gets into a rhythm and Ryan Moore decides to hold Patkai a couple of lengths further back than necessary (as is his wont) then Tungsten could pull of a "slight" surprise. I don't bet in running but if I did, I would be close to my computer during the race to see how comfortable Darryll is and where Ryan has decided to hold Patkai.

Derby outsider Native Ruler runs at Pontefract (2-55) and will be long odds on to win. The ease of his win will adjust his ante post price only slightly. But if he wins as cosily as I expect, then he could still be available at 33/1 or so. If he wins pulling a bus I will be straight into my internet account. If he scrambles home or, God forbid, he loses, then the dream will be over.

Have a good Wednesday.