Rostropovich hits right note
THE only member of the Classic generation in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes is ROSTROPOVICH (3.40), who is my each-way bet at
25-1 in this great race. Aidan O’Brien’s son of Frankel, inset, was second in the Irish Derby at The Curragh on his favoured fast ground at the end of June.
And he filled the same spot at Royal Ascot in the King Edward VII Stakes, when he was given a poor ride. He looks the only confirmed front-runner in today’s Ascot field, so if he is handed a soft lead who knows what might happen.
Racing off a perch of 92, GEORGE OF HEARTS
(2.25) can motor home in the Porsche Handicap over the straight mile.
This improving three-yearold ran a cracker when second off a mark of
88 in chasing home Society Power in a similar affair over seven furlongs at this course in May, under Shane Kelly.
The winner was racing off a perch of 93 on that occasion but is now rated
108, so he was the proverbial group horse running in a handicap.
My selection was disappointing when held up in a slowly-run Britannia Handicap at the Royal jamboree with another jockey in the plate but Richard Hughes’ raider should get the strong pace he likes to race off in this 15-runner heat. Having Kelly back in the irons seals the deal but a win only wager is advised.
In last year’s Gigaset International Handicap over seven furlongs, FIRMAMENT (3.00) was fifth of 27 when rated 109, so David O’Meara’s beast must be backed each-way this time as the six-yearold races off a perch of 99.
He turned in his best effort for a while when sixth of 18 off a mark of 101 in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket a fortnight ago and his shrewd handler has stuck a pair of cheekpieces on him for the first time. Track down a bookmaker paying
1-2-3-4-5-6 places and fill your boots.
In the Group Two York Sky Bet Stakes over an extended mile and a quarter, ELARQAM
(3.15) bids to get his career back on track after running like a drain in the Irish 2,000 Guineas at The Curragh in May.
Mark Johnston found his three-year-old to be all wrong after that woeful display but if the son of Frankel bounces back to the form which saw him finish fourth in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, he will trounce his seven older rivals.