2.30 The Jersey Stakes (Group 3)

A nightmare of a race to get us underway on day two. Nothing wrong with the quality I hasten to add – just a challenge to unpick.

It doesn’t help that some of the top stables have more than one runner and it isn’t even that easy to decide which is their main contender.

Godolphin run Ashram and Donativum, both are winter imports and both failed to impress on their seasonal debuts. Add in to the equation the poor Godolphin form this season the it is easier to look elsewhere.

Barry Hills runs both Infiraad and Ouqba. Looking at jockey bookings one assumes the former is the stable pick.  Infiraad has done nothing wrong this season and is clearly on the upgrade. Ouqba was disappointing in the Guineas but now dropped back in class must be considered.

Brian Meehan runs Gallagher and Nasri. The former seems to be blighted with seconditis and questions must be raised regarding his ability to carry through an effort. Nasri was a good second in a listed contest at Newmarket and did not seem to handle the track at Epsom last time.

Richard Hannon is another with two contenders. Instalment runs in the royal colours and would obviously be a popular winner. However this is a massive step up in class. The same can be said of his other runner, Saucy Brown, who looks to be tackling too much today.

Spanish raider Aranel, has a two from three record but was well beaten in a listed contest in France and is another who looks to be out of his depth.

As I said a tricky contest to decipher but I will go for a Hills 1-2 with infiraad to beat Ouqba.

3.05 The Windsor Forest Stakes (Group 2)

Setting myself up for a fall this is one of the easier races at the meeting to decipher.

Lush Lashes is easily the class runner in the field and Jim Bolger’s likable filly looks certain to get the ground she likes. She won the Coronation Stakes at this meeting last year and although only third on her seasonal debut, that was a very good effort on going she hates.

If you took Lush Lashes out of the contest then the race would be made for Heaven Sent. Sir Michael Stoute’s runner is the one who will give Lush Lashes most to think about but on all known form looks as though she will have to play second fiddle.

French challenger Provisio has not reached the levels expected of her by connections. She also looks to be a filly suited by some juice in the ground. Having said that her trainer is no mug and it is unlikely he would enter her if he did not feel she had a chance.

3.45 The Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1)

Only eight runners but some classy performers.

Sir Michel Stoute’s Tartan Bearer, runner-up in the 2008 Derby will go off clear favourite. He had to work hard to win the Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown last time out, although that was after a ten month break.

He probably should win but perhaps not as easily as the betting suggests.

Vision D’Etat won his first six races including the French Derby, before coming a not disgraced fifth in the Arc. He needed his first run before taking the Prix Ganay at Longchamp last time out and he could well trouble the favourite.

Fellow French raider Never On Sunday has won seven of his ten starts, including a Group One at Longchamp last time out. He has shown steady improvement. The only concern is he is unproven on the expected going.

The ground is also a query for John Gosden’s virtual as is the distance, although he has won over nine furlongs. Currently quoted around the 16/1 mark that is a reasonable each way price, provided there are no non-runners.

Ignoring a side bet, each way, on Virtual I am going to plump for Vision D’Etat, simply because he offers better value than the favourite, although it would be no great shock if the favourite did go on to win.

4.20 The Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap)

A simple matter of a 30 runner mile handicap, try using Grandma’s hat pin for this one.

A quick run through the runners.

Smokey Oakey – a big weight in handicap company and would prefer more cut in the ground.

Lovelace – despite joint top weight a front runner who will be suited by this type of contest

Philario – a front runner who has shown good improvement this season. Drawn against the far rail which may not help.

Alfathaa – handicap debut and coming back from a 268 day layoff. Asking  a lot.

Mia’s Boy – hold up runner, not without a chance on best form but will need luck in running.

Bushman – failed to live up to early promise. Looks like the handicapper has done him with a weight 11lbs higher than his previous best winning mark

Quinmaster – likes to dictate and unlikely to get his own way today. Draw will not help him either.

Forgotten Voice – could spring a surprise. Unbeaten, although all his runs have been on the all weather. Steady improver and with the stands rail draw could win if transferring his ability to the turf.

Mahadee – another progressive all weather performer. However his turf form is not as good and will need a career best turf performance to take this contest.

Roaring Forte – a progressive handicapper but has never competed in a race like this. If he can cope with the hurly burly then has as good a chance as many.

Docofthebay – runner up in this contest last year off a 6lb higher mark. Lower rate reflects the way his performance has dropped. Will cope with conditions but performances this season fail to inspire confidence.

Manassas – won the Spring Mile at Doncaster but last two runs seem to indicate the handicapper has sussed him out.

Jack Junior – on the downgrade although from a stable that loves this sort of contest. Others preferred.    

Dunn’o – winner of a Sandown handicap last time out. Will need to improve under a penalty to win this one.

Military Power – fourth in the Zetland Gold Cup shows he can handle big field handicaps. However stable out of form at present.

Huzzah – fifth in the Lincoln but inexplicably bad next time out at Newbury. Looks to be in the handicappers grip.

Cadre – not the best of draws but on the upgrade and it is possible the handicapper may have given him a chance.

Royal Power – fourth in this race and running off the same mark. Has been in and out, formwise, since. Not without a chance but others preferred.

Alan Devonshire – the only thing in is favour is a good draw.

Soccerjackpot – Showed promise in 2007 before having a terrible season last year. Has done well on the AW this season but doubtful if he will transfer that ability back to turf.

Light from Mars – Possibly in the grip of the handicapper and this fast run race could expose stamina limitations.

Nanton – Second in last years Cambridgeshire, so big fields not a problem. Needed his comeback run this year before a creditable second in a Redcar handicap. Still off the same mark but has to overcome a tricky draw.

Final Verse – progressive handicapper and another who the handicapper has given a chance. Another with a tricky draw to deal with though.

Axiom – decent and consistent handicapper. Has every chance although another with a bad draw.

Ellemujie – in the grip of the handicapper, plus a penalty for a Sandown win will not help.

Lusiant – needs to improve greatly to figure here.

Lucky Dance – has won a big field handicap before. Consistent performer but place prospects at best.

Kavachi – 4lb higher than when finishing fourth in this contest last year. Is a hold up runner who will be done no favours by his centre draw, unless they split. Penalty for latest win will scupper chances.

Kings Point – better over 7f and too much to do here

Bencoolen – probably prefers further and last two poor runs do not instil confidence.

Flawed Genius (Reserve) – out of form and little chance if he gets a run

Webbow (Reserve) – Handles most distances and going. Poor run last time. Little chance

Viva Vettori (Reserve) – best of the three reserves although would have to run a lifetime best to figure.

Very hard to be dogmatic in this contest as luck in running plays as bigger part as ability. Cadre and Nanton would be the picks for me.

4.55 The Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2)

A mere thirteen runners in our next, a two-year-old five furlong contest.

American raider Jealous Again is an interesting prospect on her turf debut. She will set off at a  blistering pace and will take the sting out of the challenge of many of her rivals.  The key to her performance is how will she act on turf. Connections must be confident to bring her this far.

Most of these fillies are on the upgrade and it is hard to be too dismissive of any of the contenders.

Don’t Tell Mary is stepping up in class but looks as though she is capable of what she has already shown, although at around 4/1 she is plenty short enough.

Queen’s Logic won this contest in 2001 and her daughter, Lady Of The Desert attempt to follow in her hoof steps today. A winner on debut at Leicester she has the scope to improve.

Grand Zefeen lost nothing in defeat and could be a decent each way option.

5.30 The Sandringham Stakes (Listed) (Handicap)

The finale provides another nightmare for punters and is arguably one of the toughest contests of the week to resolve, not because of the quality but because most have question marks hanging over them.

Moonlife, although a runner up in a listed contest at York last time, did not seem to give her all that day. If back on song could figure.

Rose Diamond’s seasonal reappearance hinted she has trained on well and looks better than last season. Upped in trip today and one for the short list.

Moneycantbuymelove is a progressive sort. Won a listed Goodwood contest well and should put in a good effort here.
Good Again is relatively exposed but will figure if running to her best, also well drawn on the stands side.

Photographic has done little wrong with her only defeat coming over what looked like an unsuitable 7f. Back to 1m she must be another for the shortlist.

Wajah flopped last time out in the Nell Gwyn but back in handicap company, off a decent mark, has every chance.

Badiat Alzaman is an improving filly who took a while to find the winners enclosure. Has been given every chance by the handicapper and has the plum stand side draw.

For this race I am going to risk splinters in my bottom and sit on the fence. Any of the above named could win this contest.