Ascot 16:25 6f handicap 19th June 2010 (Wokingham)

KNOT IN WOOD
Always runs with tremendous credit in these races and fully capable when on song. High in the weights here but ran a cracker in Ayr Gold Cup off same mark last term. Rider claims handy seven; draw could have been kinder.

MARCHING
Having his first season in the UK after racing over in Australia; he has performed with credit on both runs. Often seen competing over further than todays trip and chance he could be swallowed up by classy sprinters.       

JIMMY STYLES
Favourite in this last year (drawn wrong side) and justified promise when landing Ayr Gold Cup. Up 5lbs here today but has a lovely draw and Frankie is back on board. Plenty of appeal.       

JUDD STREET
Finished down the field behind several of these just six days ago at Salisbury and is often found wanting in these big sprints. Has a muddling middle draw to contend with and would represent a shock winner here.       

PALACE MOON
High class pedigree (Half brother to Sakhee's Secret). Blew the field away on last start in handicap company (17lbs higher today) and denied a clear run on seasonal debut when going well. Fallon booked, decent rail draw; Chances.

GALLAGHER
A very good two year old. Somewhat lost his sparkle since those days and coming back from a long break after a few Meydan runs. Will have to settle better to take a hand in the finish. Talented and no forlorn hope.       

GENKI
Major talent in these big sprints over the last two seasons and comes into this in fine form. Has been handed an attractive draw and Steve Drowne back on board. The ground might be a shade quick for him; entitled to be favourite.

DAMIEN
Lightly raced inmate from the Barry Hills yard. Takes a drop in class today after running in Listed/Group company of late and another capable of bold show. Tough draw; May lack experience.       

KALDOUN KINGDOM
Improved hand over fist from the second half of last season onwards. Deserves a crack at a race like this and would be a welcome winner. Hasn't received the greatest draw and ground dried up against him. Tough task.       

REDFORD
Frustrating customer but has a decent record here at Ascot. Reunited with Spencer in attempt to get the best out of him and solid second latest behind Prime Defender. Will appreciate the ground and each way claims.       

BARNEY MCGREW
Another who has excelled in this cavalry charges. Career best when just touched off in last years Ayr Gold Cup (off 1lb higher) and every chance of bold show on ground he loves from solid draw. Will need to bounce back though.

RILEYSKEEPINGFAITH
Competitive sprinter who landed a gamble two starts ago at Newbury. Followed it up with a game third but will need to show a lot more today to take a hand in the finish. No Ryan Moore to help either.       

EDGE CLOSER
The choice of Ryan Moore (won Listed event in 2008 on him) and the stable couldn't be in much better form. Now on lowest mark for two years and is creeping into some form. Dangerous and one to fear.       

JOHANNES
Comes into this on a stiff handicap mark after winning well on seasonal debut up at York. Has the smart Barry McHugh in the plate but an iffy draw to contend with. Has the talent; Conditions may be just against him.       

EVENS AND ODDS
Highly tried since joining the Nicholls team last year and has posted a string of good races in defeat. Not had the best of starts to this term and mark remains 10lbs above last win. Adrian not chosen him either.       

GOLDEN DESERT
No mug and disposed of two strong fields with ease at Goodwood last term. Mark has now dropped to same as when winning second of those races and has a terrific Ascot record. Chances; On ground he loves.       

HITCHENS
Lightly raced for his age and often runs well in these events. Won first time out last two seasons, will thrive on the fast ground and 3lbs below biggest winning handicap mark. Tools in place to mount a fair effort.       

PROHIBIT
Finished an excellent fifth in this last year off 2lbs higher and is fully capable of bold show. Has a very good draw and the ground is in his favour, so lots going for him. Might need career best though here.       

ABLE MASTER
Has tailed off over the last twelve months after an exciting start to his career and will need to bounce back in a big way to take this. Drying ground not in his favour and hard to see him land a blow.       

NOVERRE TO GO
A vastly improving 4yo and one who enjoys this course. Will have to prove he handles this lively ground, but has landed a great draw and beat yesterday's Buckingham Palace runner up on last start. Could defy weight rise and go close.

MASAMAH
Another who makes appeal on paper being lightly raced and has clearly improved now in the Kevin Ryan yard. Got the run of the race when winning at Chester and 7lb rise since then enough to stop him here.       

VALERY BORZOV
A talent when on a going day and more than capable off this mark. Will hate the underfoot conditions though and likely there are better horses in this than him.       

INGLEBY LADY
Has looked very smart on her two starts as a 4yo so far and likely best has yet to be seen of her. A sharf 5f proved too much for her latest; she will be more at home here. Ground and draw both fine, solid run expected.       

MAC GILLE EOIN
Fast, downhill tracks suit him best and should find things pretty tough in affair such as this. Has slipped to a fair mark now for his ability but plenty others look better treated today.       

MEDICEAN MAN
Looked a horse to follow when winning on 4yo debut and again here a month ago. This is his toughest test to date by far though and will need to defy a 7lbs rise in the weights. Not impossible to see him win, but may find it tough.       

LADDIES POKER TWO
A fascinating runner. Has clearly had training issues but showed plenty of ability as a 3yo (winning here) and entered in the July Cup. Plenty of market support of late, Murtagh booked and bold show on the cards.       

SOHRAAB
Game little handicapper who has risen up the weights after excellent win and place efforts last term and deserves a crack at this. Hard to see him coming home in front of some of these though and best watched.       

STRIKING SPIRIT
Loves the 6f/quick ground combo he will encounter here today and just sneaks in at the bottom of the weights. Choice of Adrian gives him a boost and has a course win to his name. Each way appeal.       



Highly competitive action as usual for the Wokingham. There can be a case made for a huge number of runners and the evidence so far this week has shown no great draw bias; although as close to each rail as possible seems slightly better. This has gone to a lightly raced, improving four/five year old of late and the following appeal most. Laddies Poker Two (5yo; drawn 2) is impossible to assess having missed almost two years, but he holds a Group One entry and Murtagh takes the ride for his bosses. Sustained market support is hard to ignore and can go well. Ingleby Lady (4yo; drawn 6) has been a vast improver and can continue her rise here. She will be at home over this 6f and a fair effort is on the cards. Noverre To Go (4yo; drawn 27) is another who has improved with each run this term. If the high numbers hold sway he could be the one to break from the pack and make a bold bid. And finally, Hitchens (5yo; drawn 4) will adore the fast ground. He has won on debut for the past two seasons and is entitled to respect.


SELECTIONS

Laddies Poker Two 1pt win @ 9/1
Ingleby Lady 1pt win @ 14/1
Noverre To Go 1pt win @ 16/1
Hitchens 1pt win @ 20/1