Neil Morrice brings you his best bets for racing from the UK on Saturday 27th July 2019. This includes a full preview of the King George VI Stakes at Ascot. Get your bets on now with Hollywoodbets.
King George VI Video Preview
Ascot
Feature race analysis
The King George And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (Group 1)
Putting her outstanding credentials on the line for what is almost certainly her third-last career run, ENABLE is expected to project an aura of invincibility in an attempt to win back the King George crown she plundered in 2017 but then surrendered to injury last year.
Her status as the best horse in the world can only be confirmed if she lands the odds of 4-6 offered by Hollywoodbets and dispatches a top class field that includes old adversary CRYSTAL OCEAN and young pretender ANTHONY VAN DYCK.
The presence of three-year-olds in the undisputed biggest all-aged race in Britain has been minimal in recent years, with older horses dominating its roll of honour.
Enable herself was a brilliant victor in 2017 but the evidence of her silky-smooth comeback triumph in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown indicates the mare is at least as strong a force in her fifth year. In the mile and a quarter Group 1 she always looked in control, travelling with her customary panache, and when asked to go and put her seal of authority on the contest did so with the minimum of fuss to beat Magical by threequarters of a length.
Clear second best in the betting today at 9-2 with Hollywoodbets is CRYSTAL OCEAN, whose recent form with Magical bears close comparison.
Sir Michael Stoute’s horse gave Poet’s Word plenty to think about in the corresponding race last season, but looking at the way he’s rattled-off three straight victories this year he’s fully adopted the trait of so many Stoute-trained horses of improving with age.
The Group 1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot was the best place to advertise that fact, with the five-year-old staying on strongly to score by a length and a quarter from Magical.
James Doyle is building a good understanding with the Sir Evelyn de Rothschild-owned entire, and the pair should form the most potent threat to the favourite.
ANTHONY VAN DYCK is the first Investec Derby winner to tackle this race since Workforce in 2010.
He displayed both balance and brawn to handle the unique Epsom cambers and prevail in a blanket finish but was then beaten into second in the Irish Derby, finishing six lengths adrift of stablemate Sovereign whom most observers agree was given too much rope in front.
Aidan O’Brien again plays his pacemaker card by adding Irish Derby third NORWAY and HUNTING HORN to his team, while MAGIC WAND gets first time cheekpieces following her defeat by Iridessa in the Pretty Polly Stakes.
Japan aside, the Epsom form has taken a couple of knocks and Anthony Van Dyck has never quite been lauded as the second coming from Coolmore. He appeals as a genuine contender that may pick up place prizemoney.
DEFOE will have his supporters after his gritty triumph in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes here in June, but doesn’t seem to have quite the degree of class required to ruffle the feathers of horses like Enable and Crystal Ocean.
And the sole French raider WALDGEIST needs to turn around a four and a half lengths deficit with Crystal Ocean from the Royal meeting, and this Longchamp specialist might have to being content with a supporting role for Andre Fabre.
Prediction
1st: ENABLE
2nd: Crystal Ocean
3rd: Waldgeist
4th: Anthony Van Dyck
5th: Magic Wand
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Ascot
Undercard Best Bets
Race 1 – No 10 SUMMER ROMANCE
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: James Doyle
There will be plenty of professional money for SUMMER ROMANCE who looks one of the best juvenile fillies seen in Britain this year and could be anything. Unbeaten in both starts, she graduated to Listed level on the July course at Newmarket and when asked to stretch instantly shot clear of her foes, scoring by six lengths from Ursulina. Her subsequent work has been of a high order, and she can complete the hat-trick for owners Godolphin.
Race 3 – No 17 SPANISH CITY
(Each Way)
Trainer: Roger Varian
Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
Few horses are more deserving of a win in one of these valuable handicaps than SPANISH CITY who is a regular earner. He’s a strong traveller whose Achilles heel has been the ability to put the race to bed. His fourth to Vale Of Kent in the Bunbury Cup reads well, and if getting the breaks at the right time he has the ability to take this.
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Newmarket Best Bets
Race 1 – No 8 URSA MINOR
Trainer: John Gosden
Jockey: Kieren O’Neill
Some impeccably-bred newcomers clash in the opener but it will take a smart one to prevent URSA MINOR landing the spoils. The colt can play the experience card following a narrow defeat by Al Dabaran over this course and distance, a run that will have brought him forward. With his ability there for all to see as well as his liking for the track, he will be hard to beat.
Race 5 – No 5 SOVEREIGN DUKE
Trainer: Henry Candy
Jockey: Harry Bentley
Injury has restricted SOVEREIGN DUKE to just four outings in the past two seasons, but the 4yo gave off good signals on his return to action at Goodwood in May that he’s retained much of his ability. More than that, he still has the scope for improvement with so few miles on the clock. It won’t be a surprise if he proves strong in the market and that aspect needs to be closely monitored.
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York Best Bets
Race 3 – No 5 REGAL REALITY
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
Jockey: Richard Kingscote
REGAL REALITY brings outstanding credentials to the table of this Group 2 feature and can prove another feather in the cap of his trainer. Despite playing up in the preliminaries and cantering the reverse way down to post for the Group One Eclipse, the four year old ran the race of his life to finish a two and threequarter lengths third to the brilliant Enable. If turning up in the same form Regal Reality will sweep his foes aside.
Race 4 – No 1 ABSTEMIOUS
Trainer: Kevin Ryan
Jockey: Jamie Spencer
Three of these juveniles bring good form into play but the course and distance effort of ABSTEMIOUS puts the ball firmly in his court. He showed plenty of natural speed on that introduction and only inside the final furlong was he worn down by Oh Purple Reign. He’s delighted his shrewd trainer since that performance, and can go one better.
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Chester Best Bets
Race 1 – No 3 SPANISH ANGEL
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: David Probert
Balding can further his impressive strike-rate here with SPANISH ANGEL, who looks a good bet to go one better after being denied in a photo at Goodwood. The colt attracted significant support on that occasion and should now be cherry ripe to deliver.
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Race 2 – No 1 CHYNNA
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: A McNamara
In the colours of her trainer, CHYNNA has plenty going for her in this fillies’ handicap and will play a big part of things pan out for her. She ideally wants a strong pace to aim at which should happen through the efforts of front runners Kitcarina and Eponina. She’s also well gated to get into a hunting spot behind the leaders. She looked in great heart breezing up the all weather strip at West Ilsley yesterday.
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