Today's Racing - 1st August 2011

It’s always nice to see how Royal Ascot form works out, especially the juvenile events, as many of this year’s events shaped like decent races beforehand and that’s been backed up so far from the form from a select few.

Jack Who's He - Can land Sandown Listed race

The Coventry is traditionally the best race of the lot so for Jack Who’s He (2.50) to finish eight having been unruly at the start (before entering stalls) and also having been snatched up before the business end, just when the race was getting started. His previous form (a convincing debut successes from a horse that has won since and reopposes) and another hard fought win when giving weight to Tell Dad gives him a very strong form claim and he can go close here. Kohala was pushed out wide in the Queen Mary and ran with tremendous credit, so should be respected here, while the same can be said of Bear Behind, who ran with credit also in the Windsor Castle (well ahead of The Penny Horse) and the booking of Ryan Moore is a big plus for him in what looks like a strong Bank Of New York Mellon Dragon Stakes.

Another really strong Listed event looks like the Gala Stakes (4.00) and a small chance is taken that Jet Away’s earlier promise will be shown over 10 furlongs if he settled better than he did when a well held second at Goodwood last time. He didn’t settle when an impressive winner on his seasonal debut but that was a 3 runner race and with so much quality today maybe he can get on an even keel early and that will help him relax. The form of his events is rock solid and he deserves another chance here. In a tight event, the main threat looks like Tazzez, for those who don’t know already, is an absolute star. A Cambridgeshire winner and two time Group 3 winner who also has a third in the Arlington Million to his name, he’ll be fit from his run in Duabi and can take the beating. Hamdan’s second string, Rasmy, is likely to need this too much having been off the track for 420 days and of the Godolphin 4, Vesuve doesn’t look good enough (4 & ½ lengths behind Tazzeez on their last meeting), Emirates Champion is yet to run in the UK since his improved UAE form, and Prince Siegfried also needs to improve. Class Is Class has a lot of talent but still doesn’t know how to transfer it to the track, while Forte Del Marmi has yet to make a mark in Group company, and Fallen Idol may well need the run.

And last but not least, still at Sandown, Crown Lighting is selected to win the Odgers Berndtson Handicap (4.35) with a step up in trip expected to help him, having been massively impressive when putting away subsequent sales race winner Dominant with more than something to spare on his seasonal debut before then going to Royal Ascot and running a more than respectable race when eighth in the Brittainia, having possibly found some really progressive types too quick and strong for him. He can go well in this field.

Going back to 2yos, at Bellewstown, Bahama Sprit can land the opener (5.50) and confirm the strength of the main in which John Oxx’s impressive recruit Rubina showed when dispatching of Foot Solider with ease (selection third) at Leopardstown last month, and the way this filly kept on suggested that a maiden is easy pickings.

And at Haydock, while many will be on Wolf Sprit (who comes from a stable in red hot form with their juveniles) who made a really nice debut behind Barolo Top (who had the benefit of previous experience) but his conqueror was behind Campanology at Royal Ascot, who made promising start at Doncaster before again shaping well in the Coventry, still green and caught wide before coming thirteenth. With the Hannon team in full flow, he can take this event (7.15).

Sandown

2.50 – 2 pts win Jack Who’s He

4.00 – 1 pt win Jet Away

4.25 – 1 pt win Chain Lightning

Bellewstown

5.50 – 2 pts win Bahama Sprit

Haydock

7.15 – 1 pt win Campanology