Rose Will Blossom

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The Handicap Ratings and Speed Ratings combined top three strike rate for Tuesday was a low 59% purely down to the evening meetings - especially Yarmouth. This followed Monday's 78% and Sunday's 68%, an in running weekly average of just over 68%. If a horse isn't in the top three rated of the handicaps or the speed ratings, then it is highly likely it won't win. You can see an explanation of the Handicap Ratings HERE and an explanation of the Speed Ratings HERE. The Speed Ratings are an addition to the handicaps at no extra cost and you can subscribe HERE. There has never been a better time to join us.

There were six (4) and (5) UK graded races, Tuesday. Three were won by the clear top rated horse and two were won by the 2nd top - one of them joint. One race was unsuccessful.

As expected, the reception of the Royal Ascot winners was embarrassingly muted. I thought the only time it threatened to erupt was after Mastercraftsman's hard fought win - and that was only because of the Irish contingent. The Aussie jockey who rode a superb race to win looked bemused by the silence as glanced at the crowd when dismounting Scenic Blast. Back home he'd have been mobbed. But excited emotion is not allowed at Royal Ascot. Oh, no. It's unbecoming.

Royal Ascot really is the pits in regard to atmosphere and more than anything else emphasises that the current men at the top need flushing out and replacing by younger more aware people.

I have never met and would dislike to be in the company of the groups of people the BHA see as racing's "audience". The true audience are the factory workers, shop workers, car workers, nurses, bin men, road sweepers, et al. They are called Chris, Jim, Arthur, Joyce, Joan, and Sandra. None of them are the BHA's version of a faceless fop who unemotionally observes a race and then goes to sit quietly on the lawn or in the "restaurant" to sip a glass or two of the-wine-to-be-seen-drinking!

While ever the current mob are in power, the worse is racing's future. They are not within binocular range of pushing racing forward while they pay some faceless organisation 250 000 pounds to spout rubbish more suited to a Victorian vision than a twenty-first century vision. Gawd, they make me mad..................

Anyway, now I have got that drivel off my chest, the blog finally got a couple of winners. Mastercraftsman, Canford Cliffs and a disappointingly short priced Judgethemoment. But it has to be said, the last race apart, it was definitely a punters day and quite a lot of people will have been celebrating a profit well before that last race.

On Wednesday, the Royal Hunt Cup looks a ferocious handicap to bet in. It wouldn't shock me if any one of twenty won the race. Of my shortlist of three-quarters of the field, it is interesting that Luca Cumani relies on Axiom instead of Riggins, especially since Axiom seems best with give. Dunn'o would be in with a favourites chance if this was Sandown and not Ascot. He doesn't seem to deliver away from that track. Plus, it is very unlikely he'll be unharrassed for the lead since the field is replete with front running types. Philario is in good form but always seems to lack a quality finishing kick on fast ground. And Roaring Forte, though progressive, may find this race a bit too much given that his wins have been in smallish fields.

With so many front runners and highly exposed, but good handicappers on show, it would be reasonable to assume that a progressive hold up horse will win the race. Forgotten Voice has been favourite for this for a while now but the value has disappeared. (4/1 overnight). Were it not for the expected meagre SP, he would be my choice. But in a race where hardened experience can be a distinct advantage, it is also reasonable to assume that Mia's Boy will be as close at this finish as he has been in other big field handicaps. The front runners will give him a very good tow, making his late run look all the more appealing. The booking of Ryan Moore takes the eye and this race has to be Mia's Boy's last chance to bag a biggie. He is solid each way material at the overnight odds (12/1 and bigger).

If Gallagher (2-30) comes back fit as a bull, he would be a very possible winner. He is a good each way price given that he had the best form of these at 2-Y-O. If he's done well close season, he will be there at the end.

Lush Lashes (3-05) should return to winning and finally prove that the ground was the reason for her average run at the Curragh last time.

Tartan Bearer (3-45) can prove himself a ready-made Eclipse winner by taking this on the way to Sandown.

Rose Blossom (4-55) was visually very impressive when she beat an average field (the runner up was well beaten in another average maiden on Monday). On form, the race she won doesn't look an obvious Queen Mary trial. But she broke the 37 year long course record without trying. And if Richard Fahey says she is the best filly he has ever trained, then who am I to argue. She looks to have a host of dangers, not least Don't Tell Mary and Misheer, but she wouldn't be here if her trainer thought she wasn't up to the task...

Say No Now (5-30) has close form lines with a few of today's runners and on paper would seem to need to step up a few pounds to beat some of them. But she has always looked a miler and her last run over 10f almost certainly proved that. She had the lead at the distance but her stamina gave out and she was then comfortably beaten into third behind Monetcantbuymelove. She is handicapped to dead heat with that rival today but the return to a mile should enable her to take revenge. Photographic, Good Again and Moonlife are three very dangerous rivals. So at the overnight 10/1 forecast Say No Now represents a sound each way bet.

Have a good day.