Ascot & Gowran Park – Saturday 23rd July

It has been a very quiet week on the daily tipping front as I simply haven’t been finding the right selections for the right races to put forward for you guys. I am not the one to overdo things at this time of the year, and with that in mind – I have been very skeptical about plenty of days. Today is a good day of racing throughout Ireland and Britain, and I have three selections – which consist of two from Gowran Park and one from the big race at Ascot. 

Starting with Ascot, where the 3.35 is the feature race on the day across the land, the King George will be eagerly watched by plenty. It is a case of substance over size on this occasion – with six top quality performers going to post. Westover and Emily UpJohn are the up and coming three year olds, who get a hefty weight for age allowance, while Mishriff and Torquator Tasso are flying the flag for the older horses. I have decided that due to his run last time out, the horse to be on here is Mishriff – who will be paired with James Doyle for the first time, and is coming here after a superb run in second in the Eclipse. He was very unlucky not to win that day, as he was checked for room at a vital stage, and he should come forward fitness wise as well for that run. He is a high quality operator and he showed that day he was more than capable of giving the weight away. I would have some small doubts about the Irish Derby form for Westover, while Emily UpJohn will have to prove she is nearly in Enable’s league to compete against these. Mishriff at a price of 3/1 with Bet365, looks a price to me. 

Moving over to the calmer waters of Gowran Park, and the 4.05 race – which is a very tricky mares handicap over 1 mile, with 8 horses going to post. It is an even each way race as a result, and I am looking to take advantage of that with the nicely drawn Any Dream Will Do. She represents a combination that have had a good summer so far and this mares best run was clearly at this track, which can sometimes be a specialist track throughout the summer. Added to that the need to be drawn low at times being a mad help in these mile races, add a lot to the plate of this horse. She was disappointing last time out, but clearly did not stay and the winner of that maiden has proved herself to be more than useful already this week. At a price of 8/1 generally, she looks a fair each way bet. 

And finally, the 4.40 race at Gowran Park is arguably the best race on the card there this afternoon, and this rated race over nearly 1m2f has attracted a good field of six to the party. Again it’s style over substance, and there are a few horses entering this race in decent form. None more so than Shark Bay, who was tenacious in winning at Killarney in a similar race to this over a little bit further. The second that day has won since and the third horse is a decent type, so it was a pleasing effort. I am hopeful there is more improvement to come and I would expect to see a very aggressive ride from Wayne Lordan over this trip. As long as the step down in trip is not too much of an inconvenience, he could be hard to pass. At a price of 11/4 with Bet365, he should be backed.