No Doubting Mullins’ Thomas At Ascot

Punters have had it tough at Royal Ascot this week and there’s every chance that the bookmakers will come out winning on a tricky last day of the meeting too but the Diamond Jubilee looks a race to savour and one of the locals is picked to win the global heat.

Harry To Be The Ascot Angel
Harry Angel’s record at Ascot at is 0-4 – not exactly the figures you want going into the toughest race of your career – but this could be the day that Clive Cox’s charge claims the crown of the sprinting division.

In failing to win at Ascot the four-year-old Harry Angel hasn’t ever disgraced himself and excuses could be made for each effort but now, after an impressive start to his four-year-old campaign, the Godolphin runner is picked to see off the leading challengers from Australia, Ireland and America.

Merchant Navy could retire to stud in style with a win here and he really was good in his first run for Aidan O’Brien at the Curragh but Harry Angel is such a likeable horse and has proven himself at this level time and time again.

The ground should be ideal and the pace of the race should suit so…

hopefully the cards fall right for Harry Angel today.

Redkirk Warrior brings top Australian form as well and the Aussie sprinters have made their mark on this meeting before, as has Wesley Ward who runs Bound For Nowhere, but it is Clive Cox’s ball of speed that is preferred in what should be a thriller.

Thomas To Win Again For Mullins
Thomas Hobson ran a fine race to be sixth in the Melbourne Cup last November, a ticket he booked for himself when winning at this meeting last year, and on his first start since Melbourne the eight-year-old should return to winning ways in the Queen Alexandra Stakes.

Thomas Hobson won the Ascot Stakes last year and four days later was second in this race so he does handle the track well and nearly recorded that unique double 12-months ago but this year he just has one assignment to pass.

A field of 16 go to post and Thomas Hobson is the highest rated with the conditions of the race also to suit so

he should be a tough nut to crack with Ryan Moore booked.

Harrington Has Another Royal Engagement
Following her first Royal Ascot victory yesterday attention today will turn to Down Royal for Jessica Harrington and City Ballerina may be able to give her a valuable success in the Ulster Derby.

The three-year-old daughter of Rip Van Winkle will be ridden by yesterday’s big race jockey Colm O’Donoghue and despite being a maiden from five starts City Ballerina is still the horse given the nod.

At Fairyhouse on her last maiden start City Ballerina was third behind Athena and Tissiak and that race has worked out well, while on her handicap debut she bumped into Remmy D of Joseph O’Brien’s but meets that rival on better terms today and…

she can see off the lads here.

Recommended Bets:
Harry Angel (5/2) – 4.20 Ascot
Thomas Hobson (5/4) – 5.35 Ascot
City Ballerina (9/2) – 3.35 Down Royal

*Prices correct at time of publication.