Today's Ascot Selections

Due to the conditions elsewhere I will be concentrating on the Ascot card today.  I may add a few more additional selections throughout the day though and I'm also waiting on confirmation on an info horse. So watch out for that one.

2:20 Ascot - Dream Tune (6/1) - 3pt win - My general feeling is that this horse has plenty of room for improvement on just his second start in handicap company. He was well supported when finishing second to Chosen Character off a mark of 87 and I don't feel that the 4lb rise should be too much of a concern against today's opposition. He has always been highly thought of by connections and the deteriorating conditions shouldn't cause him too many problems. I very nearly max staked this one but in the end common sense prevailed.

2:55 Ascot - Jakes Destiny (4/1) - 3pt win - It was a close call between my selection and the Charlton horse but in the end I sided with Jake due to the fact that he's race fit. Jake has been performing well in recent months and connections feel that he is value for a bit more than his current mark of 90. His knee action and previous performances on the AW suggest that he shouldn't have a problem with the easing ground and the addition of the first time tongue tie should hopefully allow him to stride on in the latter part of the race. He has recorded consistent speed ratings in all of his runs to date and at the current price of 4/1 he is definitely a value alternative to the favourite. Side Bet - 0.50pt Reverse Forecast - Captain Cat

3:30 Ascot - Fattsota (4/1) - 3pt win - Like many punters I am of the opinion that the 3yo division this season is incredibly weak and with that in mind I'm not jumping off my seat to lump on the likes of Silver Lime in this one. Fattsota is proven over CD and has been running incredibly well this season recording some top RP ratings. That being said, I'm not sure that genuine soft ground is what he really wants but providing it doesn't cut up too much he should be okay. I had great hopes for Voodoo Prince this season but despite his top notch pedigree he's far from straightforward and although he's in front of the handicapper I'm not overly keen to back him especially as Fallon rides. One outsider in the race who did catch my eyes was the Cecil horse Royal Peculiar but unless we see some serious sunshine in the next few hours, the ground should prove too deep for him. Still one to watch closely in the market before the off.

4:05 Ascot - Biographer (3/1) - 3pt win - This is a horse which I have always thought very highly of and the fact that his connections have chosen to wait for a listed race rather than throw him into one of the big staying handicaps earlier in the season tells you everything you need to know about the horses chances today. Obviously Sir Graham has to be feared but he doesn't appear as the type to relish soft ground and that would seem to be confirmed by his performance in the market so far this morning. Signed Up landed a nice touch for the blog 9 days ago and there is no doubt that he has the potential to be a top stayer, but I fear that this race may just come too soon and he has the bounce factor written all over him. At a bigger price, the incredibly well bred Monshak may be capable of showing her true colours today under what look to be ideal conditions. Granted she has plenty to find at the weights and hasn't always appeared to be straight forward, but there is no doubt that she's capable of running to a mark much higher than that which she currently holds. Side Bet - 0.50pt Reverse Forecast - Biographer and Monshak.