King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes: Rewilding to be crowned King at Ascot

Tipping / Mark Powell-Bevan / 17 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Rewilding (in Godolphin Blue) beats So You Think in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Ascot

"Rewilding has already defeated the horse who is probably the [Ballydoyle] stable’s no 1 and shouldn’t be a bigger price than St Nicholas Abbey, having 4 lb to spare over the market leader according to Timeform ratings."

St Nicholas Abbey heads the market for the Betfair sponsored King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on July 23, but the value lies elsewhere. Timeform's Mark Powell-Bevan explains why he'll be betting against the favourite...

It's easy to see why St Nicholas Abbey is currently trading as favourite, recently backed into as short as [2.18], as this year he has justified the high regard in which he's always been held by the Ballydoyle hype machine. Injuries stopped him making up into the 3-y-o that everyone expected after an exception juvenile campaign which saw him crowned the best in Europe, but this year he has again showed himself the real deal.

Things didn't look good when SNA flopped on his reappearance at the Curragh, his first run since the Guineas, but he's got himself firmly back on track on his last two starts in running away with the Ormonde at Chester (won by nine lengths) and beating Midday in the Coronation Cup at Epsom.

However, there's always something fishy about wide-margin winners at Chester and, for a long way, he looked inferior to Midday in the Coronation Cup, with Henry Cecil's filly rather throwing the race away by idling as she got to the front, and at cramped odds St Nicholas Abbey just has to be taken on in the King George.

It's still possible that Workforce will line up at Ascot. Sir Michael Stoute's Derby and Arc winner has been matched at a high of [21.0] but is now available to back at [7.4], suggesting there is still a chance that Stoute will run him, although his owner Khalid Abdulla has a ready-made replacement in the aforementioned Midday ([18.0]), who admittedly wasn't at her best last time when runner-up in the Pretty Polly at the Curragh last time, failing to travel or find as she can behind Misty For Me. However, Midday's record at the top level is excellent and it would be no surprise to see her bounce back.

Workforce was defeated by So You Think in the Eclipse at Sandown last time but came out of the race with his reputation and standing enhanced if anything, probably finding a mile and a quarter on fast ground sharp enough for him. Stoute has already stated that a repeat win in the Arc is the main aim for Workforce, who flopped behind Harbinger in the King George last year, but unless the ground is really firm, which is apparently the main concern, then Workforce could still take his place-if he disappoints then connections can use the ready-made excuse that he was 'Ascotted' again and move on to Longchamp.

However, whilst it's tempting to take the [7.4] available on Workforce, in the knowledge that he'll be much less than half the price if he makes the final line-up, there is too much risk involved in that particular ante-post bet (second guessing Sir Michael Stoute isn't easy) and it's probably better to wait until he's a confirmed runner to take the plunge, with the likelihood being that he'll shorten again before the off.

The trainers of St Nicholas Abbey and Workforce, Aidan O'Brien and Sir Michael Stoute, have won each of the last four King Georges between them, but it wasn't so long ago that Godolphin used to farm the race.

Saeed bin Suroor has been successful with such star names as Swain (twice), Daylami and, most recently, Doyen (in 2004), but this time it is Mahmood Al Zarooni who gets the chance to land the Ascot showpiece for the Godolphin outfit with stable flag-bearer Rewilding.

Rewilding has done little wrong since joining his current handler, a flop when favourite for the Leger the only real blemish on his record. Since then, Rewilding has shown himself one of the best middle-distance horses around, winning the Dubai Sheema Classic in March before showing his versatility trip-wise in dropping down to a mile and a quarter to beat So You Think in the Prince of Wales' Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Whilst tactics (and Dettori's whip) played their part at Ascot, with Rewilding seeming to benefit from being waited with longer than So You Think in a strongly-run race, the neck victory proved two things. One - that he handles Ascot (a notoriously difficult track). Two - that his form entitles him to be favourite for the King George.

The news that Nathaniel ([12.0]) will miss the Grand Prix de Paris adds another dimension to the King George, as it's a distinct possibility (he needs to be supplemented at a cost of £75,000) that he will now turn up back over the course and distance of his imperious King Edward VII success. The way Nathaniel won that day suggested he is a middle-distance Group 1 winner in the making, but he'll be taking on a whole different calibre of horse in the King George (acknowledging he lost out only to subsequent Irish Derby winner Treasure Beach on his previous outing in the Vase at Chester) and still has to prove himself.

It's typical of a race of this nature that the Ballydoyle horse is automatically made favourite, but Rewilding has already defeated the horse who is probably the stable's no 1 and shouldn't be a bigger price than St Nicholas Abbey, having 4 lb to spare over the market leader according to Timeform ratings.

There's a feeling that Rewilding is best kept fresh, which is the only slight concern, but five weeks should be long enough for him to have got over his Royal Ascot exertions, and he has to be the selection at [3.7].

Recommendation

Back Rewilding @ [3.7] in the King George at Ascot

Make Your Mark on the Betfair King George at Ascot for the chance to win £10,000! Click HERE to find out more.

The only Flat meeting in Britain today is at Redcar, and it is the venue for today's placepot......

Two selections on the Flat at the Curragh and one over the jumps at Tipperary......

Adam Brookes kept his dignity intact to provide an early wages day yesterday as his nap Deacon Blues quickened clear in Newbury's Group 3 Shadwell Stakes. Sunday's action is a bit more low-key, but that shouldn't stop you from getting stuck into these three selections....

Betfair website

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes: Rewilding to be crowned King at Ascot

Tipping / Mark Powell-Bevan / 13 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Rewilding (in Godolphin Blue) beats So You Think in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Ascot

"Rewilding has already defeated the horse who is probably the [Ballydoyle] stable’s no 1 and shouldn’t be a bigger price than St Nicholas Abbey, having 4 lb to spare over the market leader according to Timeform ratings."

St Nicholas Abbey heads the market for the Betfair sponsored King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on July 23, but the value lies elsewhere. Timeform's Mark Powell-Bevan explains why he'll be betting against the favourite...

It's easy to see why St Nicholas Abbey is currently trading as favourite, recently backed into as short as [2.18], as this year he has justified the high regard in which he's always been held by the Ballydoyle hype machine. Injuries stopped him making up into the 3-y-o that everyone expected after an exception juvenile campaign which saw him crowned the best in Europe, but this year he has again showed himself the real deal.

Things didn't look good when SNA flopped on his reappearance at the Curragh, his first run since the Guineas, but he's got himself firmly back on track on his last two starts in running away with the Ormonde at Chester (won by nine lengths) and beating Midday in the Coronation Cup at Epsom.

However, there's always something fishy about wide-margin winners at Chester and, for a long way, he looked inferior to Midday in the Coronation Cup, with Henry Cecil's filly rather throwing the race away by idling as she got to the front, and at cramped odds he just has to be taken on in the King George.

It's still possible that Workforce will line up at Ascot. Sir Michael Stoute's Derby and Arc winner has been matched at a high of [21.0] but is now available to back at [7.4], suggesting there is still a chance that Stoute will run him, although his owner Khalid Abdulla has a ready-made replacement in the aforementioned Midday ([18.0]), who admittedly wasn't at her best last time when runner-up in the Pretty Polly at the Curragh last time, failing to travel or find as she can behind Misty For Me. However, Midday's record at the top level is excellent and it would be no surprise to see her bounce back.

Workforce was defeated by So You Think in the Eclipse at Sandown last time but came out of the race with his reputation and standing enhanced if anything, probably finding a mile and a quarter on fast ground sharp enough for him. Stoute has already stated that a repeat win in the Arc is the main aim for Workforce, who flopped behind Harbinger in the King George last year, but unless the ground is really firm, which is apparently the main concern, then Workforce could still take his place-if he disappoints then connections can use the ready-made excuse that he was 'Ascotted' again and move on to Longchamp.

However, whilst it's tempting to take the [7.4] available on Workforce, in the knowledge that he'll be much less than half the price if he makes the final line-up, there is too much risk involved in that particular ante-post bet (second guessing Sir Michael Stoute isn't easy) and it's probably better to wait until he's a confirmed runner to take the plunge, with the likelihood being that he'll shorten again before the off.

The trainers of St Nicholas Abbey and Workforce, Aidan O'Brien and Sir Michael Stoute, have won each of the last four King Georges between them, but it wasn't so long ago that Godolphin used to farm the race.

Saeed bin Suroor has been successful with such star names as Swain (twice), Daylami and, most recently, Doyen (in 2004), but this time it is Mahmood Al Zarooni who gets the chance to land the Ascot showpiece for the Godolphin outfit with stable flag-bearer Rewilding.

Rewilding has done little wrong since joining his current handler, a flop when favourite for the Leger the only real blemish on his record. Since then, Rewilding has shown himself one of the best middle-distance horses around, winning the Dubai Sheema Classic in March before showing his versatility trip-wise in dropping down to a mile and a quarter to beat So You Think in the Prince of Wales' Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Whilst tactics (and Dettori's whip) played their part at Ascot, with Rewilding seeming to benefit from being waited with longer than So You Think in a strongly-run race, the neck victory proved two things. One - that he handles Ascot (a notoriously difficult track). Two - that his form entitles him to be favourite for the King George.

The news that Nathaniel ([12.0]) will miss the Grand Prix de Paris adds another dimension to the King George, as it's a distinct possibility (he needs to be supplemented at a cost of £75,000) that he will now turn up back over the course and distance of his imperious King Edward VII success. The way Nathaniel won that day suggested he is a middle-distance Group 1 winner in the making, but he'll be taking on a whole different calibre of horse in the King George (acknowledging he lost out only to subsequent Irish Derby winner Treasure Beach on his previous outing in the Vase at Chester) and still has to prove himself.

It's typical of a race of this nature that the Ballydoyle horse is automatically made favourite, but Rewilding has already defeated the horse who is probably the stable's no 1 and shouldn't be a bigger price than St Nicholas Abbey, having 4 lb to spare over the market leader according to Timeform ratings.

There's a feeling that Rewilding is best kept fresh, which is the only slight concern, but five weeks should be long enough for him to have got over his Royal Ascot exertions, and he has to be the selection at [3.7].

Recommendation

Back Rewilding @ [3.7] in the King George at Ascot

Make Your Mark on the Betfair King George at Ascot for the chance to win £10,000! Click HERE to find out more.

This Sunday sees William Haggas' Dancing Rain bid to become the third British filly in as many years to do the Oaks double. Timeform's Paul Robson assesses what chance she has......

Three selections for today's meetings at Downpatrick and Killarney....

There are some useful performers on show in this minor event over a mile......

Betfair website

Timeform Radio Racing Tips: Balthazar to be crowned King

Timeform Radio Tip / Rory Delargy / 23 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

Balthazar King has been campaigned for a late season prize - can he win at Sandown?

"I cannot desert Blathazar King in a race his trainer has clearly had in mind all season."

Rory Delargy is the Timeform Radio pundit on another exceptionally busy Saturday afternoon, and his best bet comes in the hugely competitive Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.

One of my favourite events of the entire season is what I used to know as the Whitbread, particularly having witnessed one of the greatest races ever run when Special Cargo got up in a thrilling three-way photo to beat my fancy Diamond Edge in 1984. Click here to view it on Youtube.

These days it's the Bet365 Gold Cup, and takes place at 15:10 at Sandown this afternoon. I'm loath to desert Aimigayle, but have always maintained that Balthazar King would be a horse to follow when tackling open handicaps over fences so I cannot desert him in a race his trainer has clearly had in mind all season.

He's a horse who impressed me in the autumn with his jumping technique, and while clearly not up to the very best in novice company, gave the impression he'd take a major contest when faced with a realistic task.

Despite holding entries in various races at the Cheltenham Festival, Philip Hobbs immediately ruled him out of the meeting on the day the weights were released, stating that he had other prizes in mind. A couple of confidence boosters at Hereford and at Cheltenham's April meeting will have put him spot on, and his superb 'lepping' will be an asset at Sandown, with its line of seven fences down the back. Hobbs has won this contest with Monkerhostin and Lacdoudal in recent years, and he can improve that impressive statistic today.

One of the great myths of the draw is that it's always an advantage to be drawn close to the rail on a round course. That's fine for Chester and the like, but a rail draw in handicaps over 1m at Sandown is often a curse, in large part because there is no rail on the immediate inside after the start. The natural jockeying for position causes more problems for those in what are now low stalls. As a result, horses drawn middle to high are often able to avoid scrimmaging and take a prominent pitch. That's the theory anyway, and the horse to test it today is the Denis Coakley-trained Huygens in the 16:50.

Coakley has only saddled five runners since January, but all of them have been placed, with two of the last three winning, and Huygens is a horse with the perfect profile for this contest - best fresh, on polytrack or fast turf, proven on the track and with the distinct possibility of improvement after only eight career starts. Darryll Holland rides the track well, and a draw in stall 13 may well prove lucky for some!

Recommended Bets
Back Balthazar King in the 15:10 Sandown @ [9.2] (NAP)
Back Huygens in the 16:50 Sandown @ [9.8] (NB)

Rory Delargy has been called off the subs bench to provide today's tipping for Timeform Radio and he's selected a pair of promising bets....

Martin Dixon selects a pair of promising midweek afternoon bets......

Paul Smith picks a favourite to follow and two outsiders who can surprise in his Tuesday tipping piece...

Betfair website

Imperial Cup Betting: Prince has chance to be crowned King

Tipping / Adam Brookes / 09 March 2011 / Leave a Comment

Neil King's Cheshire Prince has each-way prospects in the Imperial Cup

"Cheshire Prince, who confirmed that his sixth at Aintree on his penultimate start was a promising run when winning at Sandown last time, has ran some of his best races in big fields and has realistic place claims."

The sponsors of the Imperial Cup offer the carrot of a £75,000 bonus should the winner go onto win a race at the Festival, but Saturday's handicap hurdle at Sandown is highly prestigious in its own right. Timeform's Adam Brookes looks over the field...

The betting reflects how competitive the race currently appears, but with Nicky Henderson suggesting that at least some of his four fancied runners might take up other engagements, prices of the market leaders are subject to change.

The favourite as things stand is the progressive Aegean Dawn, who is unbeaten over hurdles and produced his best performance last time when beating Mille Chief by four and a half lengths at Ascot. Aegean Dawn received 17 lb from Mille Chief that day and has gone up 26 lb as a result, so whilst he's likely to improve further, he'll have to in order to defy such a hefty rise.

The trainer has also has Swinton Hurdle winner Eradicate entered. However, Eradicate might just be handicapped up to his best at present, as for all that he has run well in two similar races this season, he's rather more exposed than a few in the field.

Owen Glendower has had only three starts over hurdles and remains open to progress, whilst dual novice chaser winner Giorgio Quercus is even more of an unknown quantity having not raced over hurdles since March 2009.

Martin Pipe won the Imperial Cup six times, collecting the bonus twice, and son David, who has won the race twice and landed the bonus with Gaspara in 2007, is doubly represented this year. Despite having gone up 12 lb for unseating in his last race, Arrayan had looked one of the most progressive handicap hurdlers around prior to that and has to be respected. The yard's other representative is Ronaldo des Mottes, who travelled well on his return behind Mille Chief in the Kingwell Hurdle, but will have to improve to concede weight to a number of improving horses.

Philip Hobbs won the race last year with Qaspal and the same horse is entered once more, despite not having had a race since. He has a 13 lb higher mark to contend with this year but remains unexposed and has to be considered. Stable-mate Pateese ran a game race on his first start in handicap company last time and should continue his progress with drying ground seemingly in his favour. However, he seemed to be comprehensively beaten by Via Galilei, who could take him on once more.

Via Galilei was impressive when winning the big handicap hurdle at Newbury on Saturday, producing a performance that marked him out as the one to beat in this race should he take his chance. Provided he's over his exertions, there is no reason why he shouldn't make his presence felt again as he's going to get the fast pace that suits his running style. Gary Moore also has Sire de Grugy entered, and he certainly has the ability to be very competitive in a race of this nature. However, he revelled in soft ground at Kempton last time and is unlikely to get those conditions on Saturday.

Alan King has two horses entered, but there's little doubt that his best chance is Trophy Hurdle fourth The Betchworth Kid. However, despite having the ability, he isn't a fault-free jumper and can often leave himself with a lot of ground to make up and, in such a competitive race, it isn't going to be easy for him.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has only a single entry, Tito Bustillo, who has just a fair chance of being involved. With speed his forte, it's difficult to imagine a large field suiting him, and he disappointed when well-fancied for the County Hurdle at last year's Festival.

The Irish last won the Imperial Cup in 2006 with Victram and are set to send two horses over at this stage. However, Prince of Fire, who has largely been seen novice chasing this year with little effect, and Alpine Eagle, who doesn't appear to be well-handicapped, might struggle to add to that victory.

Of the other horses close up in the betting, the maiden Fiulin has the most to prove and has never raced in a handicap. Whilst he could prove well-suited to such a race, his trainer couldn't have found a more competitive one to start him off in.

For those who look for each-way value, Cheshire Prince, who confirmed that his sixth at Aintree on his penultimate start was a promising run when winning at Sandown last time, has ran some of his best races in big fields and has realistic place claims. With the drying ground likely to place more emphasis on his speed, he should not be underestimated.

The free-going Alarazi looks to have a chance on ratings, as does Rebel Dancer, whilst a revitalised Numide was almost back to his best last time, which would give him place prospects should he run. Old Way is reasonably well-fancied according to the market, but is going to find this very different to the novice hurdles he's been running in, whilst Kangaroo Court has to put two falls over fences well behind him.

Recommendation

Back Arrayan to win in the Imperial Cup
Back Cheshire Prince for a win and place in the Imperial Cup

The sponsors of the Imperial Cup offer the carrot of a £75,000 bonus should the winner go onto win a race at the Festival, but Saturday's handicap hurdle at Sandown is highly prestigious in its own right. Timeform's Adam Brookes looks over the field......

Three selections for Wednesday's meeting at Naas......

Three selections for Leinster National day at Naas....

Betfair website