We are halfway through the flat season and that means only one thing, the King George VI Stakes (check out our preview of that here).
But we will look away from the King George and preview a busy Saturday away from the Group 1 feature.
Ascot 13:50 | 6f Princess Margaret Keeneland Stakes (Group 3) | 23/07/2022
These 2yo races are not contests I like getting stuck into, but there comes a time and a place where you make an exception to the rule, and the exception being LEZOO.
The Ralph Beckett-trained filly should kick off what could be a day to remember for him and his team who have the current King George VI favourite Westover running.
Lazoo comes in here with some high class 2yo form.
Many consider her unlucky still not to be unbeaten in her career as last time out as she was slightly carried inside the final 150 yards of the Group 2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket.
On the day she was beat by Mawj, a filly I like, and her form stands out. Mawj was seen finishing 2nd at Royal Ascot behind the hugely exciting Meditate, who I would consider the best 2yo filly in training.
As of right now that is head and shoulders above her rivals, but always be wary that once-raced fillies could improve massively on their last run, but here they will need to be a Group 1 filly in that making to beat Lazoo today.
Ascot 14:25 | 1m Longines Valiant Stakes (Group 3) | 23/07/2022
A tight fillies and mares Group 3 where a case can be made for many of the runners, but one I like is OSCULA.
Has been holding her form well (2123) this season from 7f to 1m. She has a Listed win to her name when beating Honey Sweet at Carlise by an easy 2L on the day.
As I said she has been holding her form well and with the current favourite a lot shorter than I would have him, then I see Oscula as a better option.
William Buick takes the ride and with the form he is in this gives her an even better chance of playing a massive part in the finish.
York 14:40 | 6f Dash Handicap (Class 2) | 23/07/2022
What kind of Saturday would it be without a 6f dash to try solve?
Well fear not, there just might be a Groupe horse in hiding, and that is GALE FORCE MAYA.
A mark of 104 sees her joint top rated here carrying 9st 12lb, but I think she might well be able to carry the weight to victory.
Let’s look at her current form…
Last time out she was a good 3rd (beat 2L) behind Flotus who was coming in there on the back of a 1 ¾ length 3rd behind Perfect Power in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup. And, back in May, Flotus was a neck behind the massively improved Sense Of Duty.
Her Flotus form alone gives her a massive chance of out classing her rivals today.
The running style of Gale Force Maya place well to the baize of York, and for all that, at 6/1 she is one I want to be on the right side of.
York 15:15 | 1m2½f (1m2f56y) York Stakes (Group 2) | 23/07/2022
Yes, it is does not take a genius to put up a 5/4 shot, but this 5/4 shot in my eyes should be odds on, and that is CLAYMORE.
He might only be rated 111, but that will soon change on Saturday.
Claymore is a horse that we have not yet seen the best of even with his win at Royal Ascot in the Hampton Court Stakes where he looked the 2/5F when beating Reach For The Moon.
At the start of the season, he put in an eye-catching run behind Native Trail at Newmarket and then went onto France to finish last in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains. Drawn out in 16, used up too much petrol to get to the front and it was a nightmare from thereon.
Roll on Royal Ascot where we saw the real Claymore. Out in front, in a lovely rhythm and never for one second did it look like he was going to get reeled in.
He faces a field today where his elders must give him 9lb and I just don’t think they will be capable of doing that.
His nearest market rival Dubai Honour has something to prove and for me isn’t as good as a lot of people thinks he is.
So, I can not see anything other than a Claymore win.
Bet on Horse Racing at www.hollywoodbets.co.uk or www.hollywoodbets.ie
