TwinSpires.com Blog

PT Fornatale's Twinspires.com Royal Ascot Preview (THURSDAY)

Let's dive right in. . .

NORFOLK STAKES (9:30 a.m.)

#3 BAPAK CHINTA won very impressively at first asking, beating Frederick Engels (who won windsor palace) easily. Rob Dove's sectionals show the early pace was slow but he came home fast so he is an upgrade over his raw form and speed figures, and they're pretty good anyway. He should win this assuming the ground stays good to firm (the trainer is worried he won't like soft ground and there is rain in the forecast).

RIBBLESDALE STAKES (10 a.m.)

I did a video on this race which you can find here but just to recap: I am advising an exacta box on #4 DORCAS LANE (who I might also bet to win), #6 HIGHEST, and #2 BANIMPIRE. If the rains do come, I'd upgrade #6 HIGHEST.

GOLD CUP (10:45 a.m.)
Another video for this here, though my opinion has changed a bit with the threat of rain loooking ever more likely. I still like #5 FAME AND GLORY but if the ground is soft I might back off my play on #7 HOLBERG. Damnit Jim, I'm a handicapper not a meterologist.

TERCENTENARY STAKES (12 p.m.)

This is a very interesting race where I think we can come up with a small play. I'll niblle win and place on #11 MORIARTY. He ran well in Ireland last time, the time before that he quickened up from the rear off a slow pace to just not get up. A visor (blinkers with small eye slits) goes on today for the hot Hannon-Hughes team.

KING GEORGE V HANDICAP (12:35 p.m.)

#1 APACHE ran a quick time last time out and looks worth playing along with #5 SUD PACIFIQUE, who Dove had a good sectionals based note on last time, coming from the rear in a slowly run race, where the form appears to be working out well.