Andrew Asquith's Friday Nap won and he's back with his best bets from around the tracks including a Group 1 selection at Royal Ascot.
Saturday selections
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INISHERIN – 3.40 Royal Ascot (NAP)
The French and Japanese challengers, Lazzat and Satono Reve, look very intriguing, but INISHERIN strikes as the type who will make up into a high-class sprinter this season, and his effortless success in the Commonwealth Cup at this meeting last year still lives fresh in the memory.
Admittedly, it didn’t quite go to plan for him after that success, but he returned better than ever when beating Flora of Bermuda by a neck in the Duke of York Stakes last month. Inisherin was incredibly well backed on that occasion, and his performance that day suggests he’s going to relish this return to a stiffer six furlongs.
He was probably at an advantage having bagged the far-side rail, but it was his attitude which won him the race on the day, having to be ridden from around halfway and challenged in the final furlong, but tenaciously on top at the line.
The way he travelled over this course and distance last year has to be a big positive and, with his reappearance under his belt, he has to have a big chance having landed a nice draw on his second start since undergoing a breathing operation.
TREANMOR – 2.30 Royal Ascot
Given Aidan O’Brien has had an excellent week with his two-year-olds, the layers appear to have put Moments of Joy in quite a bit shorter than she should be on form.
At a slightly bigger price, my attention immediately turns to the Charlie Appleby-trained TREANMOR, who cost 2,000,000 guineas as a yearling, and could hardly have made a better impression on his debut over six furlongs at Newmarket last month.
He was very strong in the betting and never looked in any trouble whatsoever, always travelling powerfully and drawing clear in the closing stages to win with plenty in hand.
Treanmor wasn’t stopping on that occasion and, given his pedigree, it is no surprise that he’s quickly moving up to seven furlongs. He’s open to any amount of improvement now and, based on his debut run alone, he sets a healthy standard on form in this field.
SARACEN – 4.20 Royal Ascot
SARACEN looked the smart prospect he’s bred to be when making a winning debut over six furlongs at the Curragh towards the backend of last season, beating a next-time-out winner comfortably by four lengths.
He was the pick of the paddock on his return in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury won by Jonquil on his return last month, too, and he showed much improved form to finish third, despite still showing signs of inexperience.
Saracen hung to his left and ran green in the final furlong, but he stayed on well to the line, and that form has been boosted by the winner and fourth since. He will stay a mile in time, but this doesn’t look a deep renewal of the Jersey Stakes, and with further improvement forthcoming, he should be bang in the mix.
CIRCE – 3.45 Newmarket
CIRCE ran right up to her best when resuming winning ways on the Rowley Mile last month, and proved better than ever when following up at Windsor three weeks later.
She was unable to complete a hat-trick at Epsom last time, but she raced too close to an overly strong pace on that occasion, and just ran out of steam in the final furlong having taken up the lead.
Circe still appeals as being on a good mark and this track should suit her better, while the return to firmer ground will also be a big help.
MWAFAQ – 4.45 Redcar
MWAFAQ shaped well on his handicap debut over this course and distance two starts back, showing improved form and that race is working out quite well, too.
He lost all chance at the start when trailing in last at Southwell last time, becoming upset and rearing leaving the stalls, so it is best to put a line through that run, and he remains with potential from this sort of mark.
LEADING FORCE – 5.15 Bangor
LEADING FORCE had fallen to a dangerous mark and he made his second start for James Owen a winning one back over fences at Uttoxeter last month.
He ran out a convincing winner under a more patient ride with cheekpieces refitted and, while he wasn’t in the same form in a visor last time, he’s the type to quickly bounce back to form.
Sean Bowen takes back over in the saddle now and cheekpieces return, while there is still plenty to like about his handicap mark based on past exploits. He’s well worth another chance.
INVINCIBLE RUBY – 7.38 Ayr
INVINCIBLE RUBY had seemingly been brought along with handicaps in mind and, even though she was friendless in the betting for her handicap debut at Catterick 11 days ago, she shaped much better than the bare result.
She was shaken up to make a challenge two furlongs out, but soon met some trouble in-running, having to switch out for a run before again being hampered in the final furlong.
Invincible Ruby wasn’t beaten that far given the circumstances, and the handicapper may have taken a chance by dropping her 2lb in the weights. She remains capable of better.
BUY THE DIP – 7.55 Lingfield
It’s knocking on for nearly a year since BUY THE DIP’s last win, but he arrives in excellent form, having finished runner-up on his last two starts, and he’s taken to deservedly go one place better now.
He again ran well at his favoured Brighton 12 days ago, beaten only by the narrowest margin, and given he was only headed close home on that occasion, the return to seven furlongs looks a plus. Buy The Dip is just 1lb higher now and, with Luke Catton taking 5lb off, he’s expected to launch another bold bid.
BETTY BASSETT – 8.45 Haydock
BETTY BASSETT started at big prices and finished nearer last than first on her first three starts, but she showed much improved form when opening her account on handicap debut at Wetherby earlier this month.
She belied late market weakness, but impressed with the manner in which she travelled through he race that day, and she dug deep to narrowly prevail in the closing stages despite not having much room.
That race wasn’t run at a strong pace, so she can be marked up for that effort given she came from much further back than the other two who filled the places, and a subsequent 2lb rise looks lenient with that in mind, especially as there is more to come from her.
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