Monday racing tips: Andy Ayres picks out his best bet for today’s racing while updating us on all the latest news from the tracks this week
Don't miss out on all the latest talk from the tracks as Andy Ayres discusses the weekend action and includes his thoughts on Monday's racing
ASCOT'S King George packed a heftier punch than was anticipated on Saturday.
The big race build-up had felt flatter than a bottle of week-old fizz - Cracksman was only going to run if Noah started to load the Arc and search parties are still looking for a decent middle-distance three-year-old.
None of that mattered a jot once the horses turned for home and we were treated to a heavyweight slug-fest between two granite tough stablemates. And what a ride James Doyle gave the winner.
The always approachable Doyle’s form has mirrored our weather this summer – red-hot.
He rode his 1,000th British winner a week ago, nabbed the Irish Oaks and then snaffled this, the biggest all-aged race of the season.
Not bad for a fella who was given the Spanish archer by Saeed Bin Suroor back in autumn 2016.
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Evergreen Sir Michael Stoute saddled the first two in the King George and is just ridiculously good at his job. Trainers come and go, but this man is clamped to his seat at the top table.
You don’t manage that without incessant hard work and Sir Michael is always searching for the next star.
He might just have unearthed one in ALMANIA, who caught the eye when finishing fourth on his debut over 6f at Ascot on Friday.
At 500,000gns the colt didn’t come with a discount label and certainly wasn’t seen to best effect in this slowly run race over an inadequate trip.
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Ryan Moore was rowing harder than Sir Steve Redgrave in a gale at the halfway mark and only really got a response inside the final furlong.
Almania hit the line hard and was still being pulled-up when runners for the next race were circling the paddock.
He’s a lot better than the bare bones of this run indicate and should be followed.
Archie Watson suffered a rare reverse when Nate The Great was beaten at Ascot, but whizzed round to Lingfield for the Saturday evening card where he saddled GRATIFIED to win a 7f novice event.
This gelding had been bought out of Hugo Palmer’s yard for just 21,000gns and already looks a shrewd purchase.
Watson’s a dab-hand at improving cast-offs and nominated another of his new recruits as one to keep an eye on, saying:
“I claimed CAPLA GILDA for £10,000 out of Marco Botti’s yard at Lingfield last week. I’d liked her at the Breeze-Ups and she could be cheap at that price.”
Monday magic
TWISTER (3.50 Lingfield) was supported at long odds when second here last week and can provide in-form Sir Mark Prescott with another winner.
David Simcock’s fan club was out in force at Lingfield on Saturday night where his three runners were bet like heroes.
Only HIGHLAND SKY (7-1 to 4-1) managed to do the business, but he travels smoother than a day old Rolls Royce and looks a horse to keep on your side.
Goodwood wasn’t so glorious on Sunday when 18mm of rain gave the parched turf a much needed soaking.
That’s good news for EMMAUS who needs some ease underfoot and could represent a bit of value around 10-1 in the Qatar Lennox Stakes (2.25) there tomorrow.
Roger Varian’s big colt appears about as often as Halley’s Comet but is packed with talent as he showed when laughing at a decent field at Leicester in April.
You need an abacus in each hand to keep a tally of Sir Mark Prescott’s winners at present and he can strike again with TWISTER (3.50) at Lingfield this afternoon.
This handsome chestnut looks better than a Class 6 horse and almost landed a clever touch at fancy prices here last week. He’s one to follow now the penny is starting to drop.