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Angus McNae's Racing UK Blog |
| Saturday 23rd July 2016 | |
It all adds up to Sir Isaac Newton in King George
The King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes lacks a star and is in essence a substandard renewal.
It is a race begging for a horse to step out of the shadows and gravitate towards stardom and for me the one who fits the bill is Sir Isaac Newton.
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This horse is a slow burner. He only ran once as a two-year-old, four times at three and so far four times at four, and only now is he fulfilling his potential and living up to his top class pedigree.
When he won the Wolferton Handicap at Royal Ascot last month he looked like he was still green and still learning through the race. Eventually in the closing stages he seemed to suddenly realise what was required and he ran on strongly for a narrow success.
Next time out in a Group Three contest at the Curragh he looked like he had learnt a lot from that Royal Ascot win.
Always travelling well, he quickened in good style to exploit a gap up the rail and win comfortably.
It still looked like he was learning in the closing stages as if he lacks confidence in his own ability, clearly saving a bit for himself and not opening up completely.
There is a chance now stepped up to a mile and a half he may explode onto the group one scene. There is definitely a bigger performance in him and this could be his day given that the opposition are essentially Group Two performers.
He is no certainty, but at 16/1 he is definitely the bet in the race.
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A number of things could go wrong. The most galling of which would be that he is used as a pacemaker for Highland Reel.
It's possible but it would be a real waste of an individual talent if this were the case and does Highland Reel really need a pacemaker?
Secondly, Sir Isaac Newton is not the choice of Ryan Moore. This does not unduly worry me, though, given that it is quite possible he is told which horse he is riding by Coolmore. Also it is not unusual for Aidan O Brien’s second string to win. It has happened on numerous occasions.
My recommendation is that we back Sir Isaac Newton to win at 16/1.
My other bet on the Ascot card will be Librisa Breeze in the Gigaset International Stakes at 3.35. He was a gambled on runner-up in the Royal Hunt Cup where he travelled like a dream and was only beaten by the useful Portage.
The drop in trip to seven furlongs is a real positive for me. This horse has speed to burn and amazingly it is his first try at the trip, which means he could be even better than the form he showed in the Hunt Cup. He is a confident win selection at 8/1.
Angus McNae’s Saturday selections
3.55 Ascot Librisa Breeze at a general 8/1
4.30 Ascot Sir Isaac Newton at a general 16/1
