IT HAS TO BE BLUE
Thundering is ready to storm home
THUNDERING BLUE (nb) gets the vote to turn round a wide-margin Royal Ascot defeat by Dash Of Spice to lift the 59th John Smith’s Cup (3.40, ITV3) at York today.
Nine and a quarter lengths separated the pair when they met in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes on the royal heath over a mile and a half last month.
Dash Of Spice won the race, with Thundering Blue back in 11th place. But the key to the revenge mission is today’s 10-furlong trip.
While Dash Of Spice, who is 4lb well with a 5lb penalty, has thrived since being allowed to tackle a mile and a half, Thundering Blue’s first attempt at the trip proved a washout.
It’s no wonder my selection’s trainer David Menuisier has opted to bring Thundering Blue back in distance as the five-year-old had won four of his previous six starts over a mile and a quarter. Fran Berry (above) takes over in the saddle today. DAL HARRAILD
Forgive his flop in Dubai in March and William Haggas’ five-year-old has an excellent chance of lifting the John Smith’s Silver Cup (2.35). Also on a retrieval mission is WADILSAFA,
ninth to Hunting Horn at Royal Ascot but a major player down in grade for the John Smith’s Racing Handicap (3.10).
York’s opening Listed John Smith’s TAKE City Walls Stakes (1.55) can go to COVER
for a third time. LORD GLITTERS At Ascot, is in pole position for the Fred Cowley Memorial Summer Mile (1.20) after a fine second in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot 25 days ago. The Bet With Ascot Heritage Handicap (12.45) is wide open, but there’s no reason why the five-timerseeking TANASOQ shouldn’t give another good account of himself.
On Newmarket’s July Cup undercard, MAKZEEM and Ryan Moore are the combination to follow in the bet365 Bunbury Cup (1.40). CERTAIN LAD
Mick Channon’s sets the standard in the bet365 Superlative Stakes (1.05), while a hat-trick beckons IBRAZ for in the bet365 Mile Handicap (3.20).