BLUE LAUREATE – 4.40 ASCOT
EACH WAY BET ADVISED AT 9/1 WITH SKYBET & PADDY POWER PAYING 6 PLACES…
This is a 19-runner 2m4f handicap and we don’t get too many of those throughout the year. I’ve had a good look at the race and think the market has got it right so (famous last words) I expect the winner to come from one of the top 5 in the betting – Verdana Blue (4/1), Moon King (7/1), Land Of Oz (7/1), Blue Laureate (10/1), & Summer Moon (11/1).
The Nicky Henderson trained Favourite, Verdana Blue, has had her chances of winning helped by the ground staying in her favour and riding fast. There was a doubt about her staying the trip on easy underfoot conditions but she has no excuses now and wouldn’t be a surprise winner with Ryan Moore an eye-catching first-time booking. I wouldn’t put anyone off having a saver on her.
Of the others, I would have gone with Land Of Oz had he not been drawn in stall 1. It wouldn’t surprise me if he overcame the draw but the evidence points towards those been drawn high being at a distinct advantage. The other three are drawn 13, 14, & 16 so there’s little to separate them there and there’s also little to separate Moon King & Blue Laureate on last week’s run at Haydock with Moon King winning by a head over 2 miles. Both should benefit from the recent run and, for that reason, they are slightly better fancied than Summer Moon who hasn’t ran for 235 days. I can only choose one so it has to be Blue Laureate who may be best suited by the step up to 2m4f and has the excellent Cieren Fallon, who is very good value for his 3lb claim, in the saddle. Each way advised at 9/1 with SKYBET & Paddy Power paying 6 places on this race. Please be careful if you are with BET365 as they are only paying 4 places while most other bookmakers are paying 5. Good luck!
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