22nd June 2012
Royal Ascot Betting: Lui Rei to give Cowell Wokingham success at Royal Ascot
4.25 Ascot: Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (6f)
One of the most competitive races of the week takes place on the last day of the Royal Ascot Festival, the Wokingham is a big prize for these 0-110 handicappers with over £77,000 to the winner and we have the usual maximum field of 29 runners including Lightning Cloud who has come into the reckoning as the first reserve and swerved his intended engagement on Friday. He is now the favourite with most bookmakers and is a 10/1 chance with Bet365.
The 4yo trained by Kevin Ryan squeezes into the handicap on a mark of 95 and gets a decent draw in stall 4; he also has a course win to his name plus a good second here last July.
The trends for the Wokingham are interesting and history tells us that we should concentrate on 4 or 5 year olds who have won 12 of the last 13 runnings. The draw is always a talking point and apart from Deacon Blues who won from stall 11 in 2011 it has been pretty vital to be drawn close to the rail on either side and in a race where you could argue a chance for most of the field it’s a good angle to go with.
Of those that fit the trends on the far side that I like are Desert Law and Morache Music. Desert Law a 4yo trained by Andrew Baliding came back to form last time out at Epsom in the dash, the only concern would be the ground but is due to go up 5lbs for future races so is well handicapped here. Morache Music will definitely like the ground; he was a close up 5th at Salisbury last time in a Conditions race and drops to handicap company for the first time since winning here at Ascot last August, he should go well from stall 6.
Of the high numbers King Of Jazz is drawn 27 and ran well here on soft ground over 7f last time and Seal Rock trained by Henry Candy could go well and has a win at Pontefract in soft going. In stall 28 we have Lui Rei from the yard of Robert Cowell who has been doing well with his sprinters lately, he won at Epsom earlier this month when stepping up to 6f, he goes well in the ground and was 9th to Deacon Blues in this race last year staying on well.
Two older horses are worth a mention also, Macs Power has always threatened to win one of these big handicaps and Kieren Fallon takes the ride, he’s been drawn in stall 31 and wouldn’t be massive shock if he won at last. Waffle is another one much the same as Macs Power, very capable on his day and was second last year, Fran Berry is an interesting booking for David Barron here.
Somewhat of a lottery and being drawn on the right side is crucial, the best tactics are to plump for one on either side and my two against the field are Morache Music from stall 6, he likes the track, goes well on soft ground and is in fair nick at present. Lui Rei is my choice from those drawn high, he’s in smashing form and if the pace is strong enough on the stands side he will come through late and hopefully snatch a prize. Have a scout round and find those bookies that are betting on 5 places, as it’s a massive advantage in races like this.
Selections:
1pt EW Morache Music 20/1 Betfred (First 5)
1pt EW Lui Rei 20/1 Paddy Power (First 5)
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Author: Ray Singpost
