Amateur punter

Ben Morgan is delighted to be in the money at Royal Ascot

We are finally back up and running after a long three months. I’ve walked and run that many miles during Lockdown that I now know how any horse who has ever spent some time in the Mark Johnston stable feels. I’m as fit as I have been in a good few years, which is no bad thing, but I have missed my punting.

I endured a few quiet weeks punting-wise when racing resumed but my new RacingAhead daily tipping column (which you can find on the RacingAhead website or twitter account) started ‘ok’ although I was down going into Ascot.

The opening race at the Royal meeting was a stinking handicap but my selection, Shelir, a Dermot Weld kick out now trained by David O’Meara, returned a healthy profit as he finished fifth at 40-1.

I was soon shot down as Space Traveler (£15 e-w at 28-1) didn’t seem to enjoy being out on the front end in the Queen Anne and Miss Yoda (£20 e-w) failed to fire in the Ribblesdale.

I was starting to think it was going to be one of those days and despite backing Pyledriver (£10 e-w at 22-1) I was half expecting Mogul, my Epsom fancy, to hose up and shorten in the Derby market. However, it became clear just as they turned in that Martin Dwyer was absolutely flying aboard Pyledriver and he managed to stay on all the way to the line which bought home plenty of profit and released a huge weight off my shoulders.

Liberty Beach, a horse who has earned herself a place in my heart, performed with credit in the Kings Stand, finishing third to the mightily impressive Battaash. Returns from several ante post bets at 25-1, 14-1 and 9-1 were credited to my account and I was sitting pretty.

Queen Power brought home a small profit finishing third in the Duke Of Cambridge before Land Of Oz faded late to just miss out on a place in the Ascot Stakes. But make no mistake, this was a strong opening day.

Day Two started in great style. I was keen on Russian Emperor in the Hampton Court Stakes and wasn’t put off by his defeat in the Derrinstown Derby trial. The fact he got beat there made him come here slightly under the radar but I thought he was a belting bet at 10-3 (£60 win). Ryan Moore had him anchored far enough back off a strong pace and turning in he started to stoke him up. Berlin Tango had kicked on at the front end and my lad was taking a while to find his stride. Entering the final furlong I felt he was going to be an unlucky second, even 100 yards out I didn’t think he could get there but he did and the living room sofa received the full treatment after a three-month break.

After this inspired ride by Moore, who has often come in for criticism in this column, I was confident he could guide Subjectivist into at least a place in the King George V Stakes. A solid two-year-old who was always going to be a better middle distance threeyear-old was so overpriced at 28-1 that I just couldn’t let him go unbacked. £15 each way returned a healthy profit as he finished third (could have finished closer had he not been cut up) and I was on a roll.

I think Japan is the horse to follow this season but with a few doubts about his fitness in the Prince Of Wales’s I was slightly wary come post time. I placed an £80 wager at 11-8 but soon realised I hadn’t given the pace of the race enough thought. I was too caught up in the form and, as it turned out, he was unsuited by the sprint that developed up the straight. But the fact Lord North won the race suggests they didn’t go too quick as he was able to quicken past the whole field in a matter of strides.

I had tipped Aloe Vera in the Wolferton on Day 3 but as I flicked over to watch the race, I noticed she was a non-runner. I also noticed it was absolutely bucketing down so thought I’d re-invest my stake (£10 e-w) on Mountain Angel at 12-1. It was just one of those split second decisions you have in punting which normally don’t pay off but this one did as James Doyle plotted a route down the inside rail to scoot to victory leaving some smart types in his wake.

The day could have got better had Monarch Of Egypt (£20 e-w at 7-1) not hang right in the closing stages. He came to win the Jersey Stakes but the tough Molatham just got the better of him late on.

I was soon back on the winning streak as Battleground powered clear in the Chesham. Some really loyal readers of this column may remember how much I adored his dam, Found, and how she won the Arc for me at a

decent price. With such a connection and after such a promising opening run I wasn’t prepared to let Battleground go unbacked. £70 was struck at 3-1 and it looked safe as soon they opened the gates.

I was quietly confident going into the penultimate day as I had some big hopes. Keep Busy brought home a tidy each way profit for second in the opener while Mother Earth (£30 e-w at 4-1) endured a horrid passage in the Albany but plugged on for third.

The Lir Jet was a big fancy of mine in the Norfolk. As soon as he won at Yarmouth on debut, I texted a good friend saying ‘that’s the Norfolk winner there’. I duly got 16-1 off Skybet and chucked a spare £15 on the nose. This was followed by a £30 each-way wager on the day at 6-1 and a lot of nerves right up until the winning line. It looked like Golden Pal had stolen a march on them but The Lir Jet just took off in the final furlong and mowed the American horse down to get up right on the line. Cue mass celebrations in the Morgan household.

Mums Tipple didn’t enjoy the soft ground in the Commonwealth Cup but Santiago (£25 e-w) relished it in the Queens Vase as he sauntered clear late on to stamp his authority on the St Leger market.

It was a blinding day and it just added to a fantastic week. I had one hope left before this piece went to press and that was Durston. A grand old horse from last year looked to be well treated off 100 and I was sure he would get a place at least. Man of the moment Jim Crowley was on board but I didn’t expect him to drop him out back from a handy draw. They went slow and the rest is history really, eighth! I had enjoyed a profitable first month back and was more than happy. Long may it continue!

Ben’s Best Bets

Mogul - It’s all about Epsom with this lad and connections have tailored his career around the Derby. His brother and sister both should have won there and I think he can gain compensation for their near misses

Victor Ludorum - Obvious I know but he’s still 2-1 for the French Derby and I think he is the best horse to come out of France for a long while.

Nette Rousse - Progressive filly who has a bit in hand on her current mark. Eyecatcher at Pontefract last time.