The Wine Tipster: “Johan (NAP) looks a Group horse in a handicap”

THERE is racing on Saturday at Doncaster, Gowran Park, Newmarket, Tramore, York and of course Ascot where, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (Group 1) British Champions Series takes centre stage on their top class  Saturday card, where all eyes will be on the brilliant mare Enable.

Enable faces a small field this year with the opposition from the Aidan O’Brien yard with Japan, Anthony Van Dyck and Sovereign, with no three- year-olds in the field.

In my Unibet column for the Eclipse meeting I did tip the race fit Ghaiyyath to beat Enable at Sandown over one mile two furlongs and John Gosden had been very clear that his wonderful mare wasn’t going to be at 100% for her seasonal reappearance.

Ahead of Saturday, both Frankie Dettori and John Gosden have been sounding much more positive and Enable at Unibet 1/2 can take her third King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes, making history at the same time. Remember Enable is rated 128, with Japan at 122 and she also gets her three-pound mares’ allowance too and will finish further ahead of Japan than in the Eclipse.

I will be cheering her all the way and will be enjoying the #AscotAtHome coverage, as well as the racing from York and Newmarket, on a great Saturday of racing.

Cheers!

The Wine Tipster

1.50 Ascot – Pat Eddery Stakes Listed Race (7f)

Choritzo is worth each way wager at a big price, having finished seventh to the very smart Tactical at Newmarket last time out over six furlongs. He looks like he is crying out for seven furlongs and can get in the places today.

Unibet 33/1 each way

2.25 Ascot – Moët & Chandon International Stakes Heritage Handicap (7f)

Ebury ran well in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot, when finishing sixth from stall three. This was a really good performance, considering the first four home came from stalls 26, 22, 16 and 27 and he raced with three others on the far rail. There is no doubt that he would have been right in the places with a better draw.

Ebury won over a mile here last year on good to firm, so he is ground versatile and knows how to cope with big fields too.

Unibet 13/2 each way

Gin Palace might not have the Ascot experience, yet he is coming here on a three-timer, having won at Newbury and then followed up at Newmarket. I thought Georgia Dobie, claiming five, gave Gin Palace a very cool ride to win cosily by a neck at Newmarket. Georgia, once again takes the ride and Gin Palace is right in the mix here.

Unibet 12/1 each way

2.40 York – York Stakes Group 2 (1m 2½f)

Elarqam has a good opportunity to score his first win of 2020, repeating his 2019 success. His last start was over one mile four furlongs at Royal Ascot and that didn’t work for him, whereas today’s trip is what he is about. His other start this season was over one mile two furlongs at Haydock, when he was second to the super progressive Lord North. 

Last season he really impressed me when successful at Sandown at the Eclipse meeting, before heading to the Knavesmire to win this Group 2.

Unibet 9/4 win

3.00 Ascot – Handicap (1m) 

Johan (nap) for the in form William Haggas yard can follow up his very smart seasonal debut success at Newbury. He was visually impressive when winning very cosily by a neck that day, when very confidently ridden in a race that had a very good speed figure.

He has had an 8lb rise for that success, however he looks a Group horse in the making and continue his upward trajectory.

Unibet 100/30 win

4.10 Ascot – Handicap (1m 4f)

The lightly raced six-year-old Frontispiece is an interesting contender here with Ryan Moore in the plate. He finished second on seasonal debut at Newmarket at 25/1 a couple of weeks ago, without being given a hard race on his return. Frontispiece will come on considerably for that performance and this talented performer must have a good each way chance here. He had a good first season with Amanda Perrett last year, winning twice and is ground versatile. He also won at Ascot on career debut in 2016 when I tipped him up!

Unibet 9/1 each way