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Angus McNae's Racing UK Blog |
| Thursday 19th June 2014 | |
Sir Michael Stoute got off the mark at this year’s Royal meeting with Integral and I expect him to go very close with two horses today.
First up, my Nap on day three is Cannock Chase in the Tercentenary Stakes.
He looks to be the progressive sort that Stoute does so well with.
His recent defeat of Windshear at Newbury was particularly impressive. He powered clear to win off a mark of 89 and the runner-up had previously won nicely at Sandown by four and a half lengths.
The drying ground will hold no terrors, and he has already been backed for this contest. He looks like a very solid wager.
My next best also hails from the Freemason Lodge yard in the big race of the day - the Ascot Gold Cup. Estimate won the marathon last year for Her Majesty and I see little reason why she cannot go close again.
Last year she won the Sagaro Stakes before going on to Gold Cup glory. This year she comes to the race without a previous run, but given that she was able to win first time up last year in the Sagaro there is no reason why she will not be spot on for this big test today.
The fact that she handles Ascot is a big plus, and she is a good each-way price. Hats off to for Majesty everyone and hopefully we can fill them up with cash.
On day two of the Royal Meeting the ground was on the quick side, but not so quick that horses would not let themselves down. The times were very fast, which is always testament to horses enjoying the surface they are galloping on.
Betfair - Money Back if SP Fav Wins in 1st Race Each Day
That phrase does not apply in the Prince Of Wales Stakes, in which Treve moved poorly to post and performed a long way below her best in the race.
She will surely now be kept at a mile and a half, and when the ground is softer and while I can understand bookmakers pushing out her price for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe I would not rule her out completely.
It is all well and good to say that she has not shown anything like the form of her Arc win, but she has not raced under her optimum conditions this year. She will be back.
Elsewhere on the card there was no doubt that high numbers were favored on the straight course. This may change as we go through the week, especially if the track is watered so we need to approach each day with a blank sheet of paper and not get too hung up on what happened on any individual day.
Angus McNae Thursday selections:
3.05 Ascot: Cannock Chase at 5-2 with Ladbrokes
4.25 Ascot: Estimate each-way at 11-1 with Paddy Power
