Royal Ascot 2013 - Ascot and Windsor Castle Stakes

One might not think that Aidan O’Brien would have targeted handicaps with the same miler precession that he takes towards Group races but his Justification has had the look of a big handicap winner for a long time and can make amends for a horrendous run in the Chester Cup. Sent off a strongly supported favourite, he was presumed to have had an excellent draw but found trouble quickly and was never able to launch a decent run until far too late. Today’s test at Ascot couldn’t be more different from the tight, twisting lottery that Chester can be and off the same mark upped in trip two furlongs – which should be fine for a close relative of Kayf Tara – he makes each/way appeal for the Ascot Stakes (5.00).

In that same race, Tiger Cliff and Mubaraza – first and third in the same handicap that 2011 winner Vieled – deserve respect but Midnight Oil – having his first flat run for more than two years  on the flat - may be able to keep the prize at Cloustton. A dual winner for Luca Cumani in 2011 in a 1m4f maiden and handicap over the same distance, he has since gone onto better thiings over hurdles and is a gauranteed stayer of 2m4f who while not being in the same mould as Simenon in talent terms, should enjoy Ascot’s 2m4f and just pips Nicky Henderson’s Lieutenant Miller for the second vote.

In the Windsor Castle Stakes, favouritism is being fought out between Ogermiester – who comes from the Wesley Ward barn famous for two winners here in 2009 including this very race with Strike The Castle – and Anticpaited, who has looked very useful in two runs for Richard Hannon, but Ballydoyle’s Fountain of Youth looked well upto Group company when romping away with a Tipperary maiden last time out and can throw down the gauntlet to the front two at least. Caught when attempting to make all on debut, he hated the sticky ground and found 6 furlongs too far. He had nothing to beat when dropped down to 5 furlong with a quick underfoot surface last time but how impressive he was showed the potential he has when granted a quick surface underfoot and Ballydoyle’s record in this is not bad considering they mainly target the Coventry, with Petronius Maximus dreadfully unlucky not to  have won this 3 years ago.

Advice

1 pt each/way Justification, Ascot Stakes (5.00) (15/2 general)

1 pt each/way Midnight Oil, Ascot Stakes (5.00) (12/1 general)

1 pt each/way Fountain of Youth, Windsor Castle Stakes (5.35) (10/1 general)