A tip for the John Smith’s Cup and a second fancy for the Bunbury Cup
Flat season 2022: bets 29 and 30
Some trainers, for a variety of reasons, never receive the recognition their talent deserves. Step forward Jane Chapple-Hyam.
This straight-talking, Australian-born, Newmarket-based handler had three of her horses running at Royal Ascot last month.
Incredibly, they finished, first, first and second, with her winners, Saffron Beach and Claymore, landing Group 2 and Group 3 prizes respectively.
Her near miss came with INTELLOGENT, who was runner-up to Dark Shift in the competitive 29-runner Royal Hunt Cup over Ascot’s straight mile.
I am hoping this horse, still improving at the age of seven, can go one better on Saturday when he tries to win the John Smith’s Cup at York on Saturday (4.05pm) over some two furlongs further than his last run.
Intellogent has been raised 4 lbs by the handicapper for his fine Royal Ascot run. But as Saturday's race closed before that race, he can run off his old mark of 105 for one final time.
I love horses to have strong course form at York as it is a specialist track. But unfortunately, Intellogent has never raced there before. All in all, as he can be a bit of a moody customer, I think it’s best to back him win only for 2 points at 8-1 generally.
There are dangers aplenty in this race including Caradoc, who I am still convinced has not shown his best and who will be well suited to a truly-run handicap on the likely fast ground. But he has disappointed me too many times to propose him as a second bet in the race.
I put up Star of Orion each way last week for the bet365 Bunbury Cup at Newmarket on Saturday (3.50pm). I still expect him to run really well, especially now that it looks like Rossa Ryan will replace Rob Hornby in the saddle.
But there are two other horses who ran well at Royal Ascot that are also in with massive chances. The first is ROPEY GUEST, who was second, beaten a length, to Inver Park in the Buckingham Palace Stakes.
Trainer George Margarson’s five-year-old gelding should have won a lot more than two of his 28 races to date, but he now seems to be more consistent than he was earlier in his career.
As regular readers of my newsletter will know, I also love it when a top apprentice is booked for a horse in a big handicap. Callum Hutchinson, who rode a winner at Royal Ascot, looks set to have the ride on Ropey Guest and he is superb value for his 5 lbs claim. Take the 25-1 each way on the horse with several bookmakers including bet365, William Hill and Sky Bet.
I had also considered putting up Rhoscolyn, who was just a short head behind Ropey Guest in the Buckingham Palace, but David O’Meara’s charge was tipped on a popular gamblers’ website earlier today and so, with his price contracting, I will not tip him as well – and no doubt regret it if and when he romps home!
There is a feast of superb racing this weekend, with top quality fare on offer at Newmarket, York and Ascot. As usual, if you are enjoying this newsletter please recommend it to a friend.
One for the horse tracker
Equilateral has been called a lot of names in the past, few of them complimentary, because it is felt he does not always give his best in the top sprint races. He is a talented animal, however, and his two runs this season suggest he may finally be running more consistently. He was 5th on his seasonal debut in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot last month. Then he ran with even more encouragement in last Saturday’s Group 3 Coral Charge at Sandown. He was only 6th of the 8 runners but was repeatedly denied a clear run and was still only beaten 2 lengths by the winner, Raasel. Now seven and trained by Charlie Hills, Equilateral can get back to winning ways when given more luck in running, hopefully next time out.
Pending:
1 point each way Primo Bacio at 33-1 for the Falmouth Stakes, 1/5 odds, 3 places.
1 point each way Star of Orion at 16-1 for the Bunbury Cup 1/5 odds, 5 places.
1 point each way Ropey Guest at 25-1 for the Bunbury Cup, 1/4 odds, 4 places
2 points win Intellogent at 8-1 for the John Smith’s Cup.
2 points win Tactician at 14-1 for the Moet & Chandon International Stakes.
2 points win Air to Air at 20-1 for the Moet & Chandon International Stakes.
Settled:
1 point each way Arcadian Sunrise Cup at 16-1 in the Chester Cup, ¼ odds, 4 places. 4th. + 3 points.
1 point each way Morph Speed at 25-1 in the Chester Cup, ¼ odds, 4 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Auditor at 16-1 in the TRU7 Handicap, 1/4 odds, 3 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Moss Gill at 12-1 in the Temple Stakes, 1/5 odds, 3 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Caradoc at 11-1 the Cazoo Handicap, 1/5 odds, 5 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Westover at 20-1 in the Cazoo Derby,, 1/5 odds, 3 places. 3rd. + 3 points.
1 point each way Changingoftheguard at 9-1 in the Cazoo Derby, 1/5 odds, 3 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each Moneista at 16-1 in the King’s Stand Stakes, 1/5 odds, 3 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Rock Eagle at 20-1 in the Ascot Stakes, 1/5 odds, 7 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Raymond Tusk at 33-1 in the Copper Horse Stakes, 1/5 odds, 5 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Get Shirty at 14-1 in the Copper Horse Stakes, 1/5 odds, 5 places. 1st. + 16.8 points.
1 point each way Aratus at 40-1 in the Royal Hunt Cup, ¼ odds, 4 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Symbolize at 18-1 in the Royal Hunt Cup, 1/5 odds, 8 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Rosemary and Thyme at 40-1 in the Kensington Palace Stakes, 1/5 odds, 5 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Princess Zoe at 13/2 for the Ascot Gold Cup, 1/5 odds, 4 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Star of Orion at 25-1 in the Buckingham Palace Stakes, 1/5 odds, 7 places. .Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Dance Fever at 20-1 in the Buckingham Palace Stakes, 1/5 odds, 7 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Stay Well at 16-1 in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes, 1/5 odds, 6 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Minzaal at 14-1 in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes, 1/5 odds, 3 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Double or Bubble at 14-1 in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes, 1/5 odds, 6 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Gulliver at 33-1 in the Wokingham Handicap, ¼ odds, 4 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Popmaster at 33-1 in the Wokingham Handicap, 1/5 odds, 7 places. 2nd. + 5.6 points.
1 point each way Calling the Wind at 14-1 in the Queen Alexandra Stakes, 1/5 odds, 4 places. 3rd but Rule 4 deduction. + 0.81 points.
1 point each way Onesmoothoperator at 13/2 for the Northumberland Plate, 1/5 odds, 7 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
2022 Flat season running total: - 8.79 points.
2021-2 jumps season + 77.95 points.
My gambling record for the seven years: I have made a profit in 12 of the past 13 seasons. To a 1 point level stake over this period, I have made a profit of 460 points. All bets are either 1 point each way or 2 points win (a "point" is your chosen regular stake).