Thunder Snow and Recoletos Lively Outsiders at Ascot
15.15 Ascot
There are several in here that will not find the soft ground too much of a problem, including the favourite Ribchester, but I am willing to chance Thunder Snow at 20/1 each way. He was only beaten a neck by Al Wukair in the Prix Jacques le Marois after setting the pace on similar ground. His most impressive performance has come on soft ground when a 5 length winner of the group one Criterium International at Saint-Cloud as a two-year-old.
Recommended Bet
Thunder Snow, 20/1 each way, Sporting Bet
15.50 Ascot
The two French horses Brametot and Recoletos have a great chance in this year’s Champion Stakes; a race French horses have done very well in the past. The drop down to 10 furlongs has to be a negative for Cracksman taking on some very good 10 furlong horses, while Barney Roy is stepping up in distance on ground that could be stamina sapping.
Brametot won both the colts classics in France and after a break ran a good race to finish fifth in the Arc. He finished a length in front of Recoletos when winning the Prix du Jockey Club on ground that didn’t play to Recoletos’ strength. Recoletos looks a much better horse in testing ground and he should get that today. He easily beat Waldgeist in the Prix Greffulhe but wasn’t able to confirm that form on a quicker surface in the Prix du Jockey Club. He won the Prix du Prince d’Orange in very soft ground 5 weeks ago and although he only won by a short-head, he travelled strongly in to the lead with the rest of the field under pressure. He probably got there too soon and was probably idling in the lead as he was nearly caught; he should get a lead and a strong pace to run at today. Brametot is currently available at 5/1, while Recoletos can be backed at 22/1 each way with several bookmakers, which has to be the bet. With a liking for soft ground and doubts over the top two in the market a place looks attainable and winning wouldn’t be a shock.
Recommended Bet
Recoletos, 22/1 each way
