Imperial Commander to win Guinness Gold Cup
Imperial Commander to win Guinness Gold Cup
Imperial to Command Guinness Gold Cup.
It was heart breaking to see Cooldine run out of steam yesterday, the last leg of the treble, but all was not lost as I hedged my position with a Lay on Cooldine to ensure a profit for the day. We had three lays come good yesterday and will look to follow-up today.
As well as the Punchestown Festival racing resumes at Ascot today. The highlight is the Sagaro Stakes (3.55) which looks at the mercy of Patkai. Sir Michael Stoute’s stayer was a winner of the Queen’s Vase at the Royal meeting last season and should be too good for his rivals. There may be some ground concerns for Tungsten Strike but Patkai could come home unchallenged.
It really is excellent stuff at Ascot. The opening event for two year olds features the best juvenile I have seen all season in the Barry Hills trained Red Jazz (2.10). Tom Dascome trains Walkingonthemoon who will have to get passed Red Jazz to win. On his blog Dascombe says “I’m not confident we can , he was really impressive when winning his debut at Windsor.” I would agree with that and will be Laying Walkingonthemoon. Red Jazz looks very special and I think he will win in good style. He will carry a good bet of mine.
I had a good look at Rose Diamond (2.45) who was fourth in the European Free Handicap and is the best horse in today’s field. Ryan Moore is booked by Roger Charlton but the stable’s form is a cause for concern. With only one win from 20 runners this season coming in a Newbury Maiden I am shying away from taking the 2.42. That is the only negative and the booking of Moore must be significant.
My best bet of the day will once again be at Punchestown where there is another quality jumps card. Imperial Commander (6.05) won the Paddy Power at Cheltenham then was tailed off in the King George, when the stable were going through a poor run of form.
Nigel Twiston-Davis has had a strong end to the season and Imperial Commander came back to form at the Cheltenham Festival by taking the Ryan-Air Chase, accounting for Voy Por Ustedes. That form is top class and was franked when the second won the Melling Chase, from Schindler’s Hunt who lines up in today’s race.
The Guinness Gold Cup is the best race of the day and the best horse in the race is Imperial Commander who I make my best bet of the day at 5.2.
