DOUBLE HANDFUL

John Shaw’s racing betting column in association with

I’LL be at Ascot today for a dress rehearsal for the Royal Meeting. I’m hoping for less in the way of debauchery and more in the way of winners.

More winners would in fact be one winner.

I’m very tempted to buck my usual habit and back two horses in today’s Victoria Cup.

Well, there are a mammoth 26 runners that go to post and one of them is an old favourite in Outback

Traveller, who won the Wokingham Stakes here last year at 10-1. He certainly got me out of trouble that day – I do feel I owe him a few quid. He has that in common with a lot of friends of mine.

The Robert Cowell-trained six-year-old goes over seven furlongs this afternoon rather than six.

I fear the trip might be a tad too far for him, even though he was second favourite in this race last year.

I recall Cowell saying that six furlongs was his absolute limit in good company after the Wokingham. Then again, he has won over course and distance and goes well fresh. Another horse who looks interesting is The Warrior. Amanda Perrett’s fiveyear-old comes in around the bottom of the weights and will be ably assisted by having capable 5lb claimer George Wood in the saddle. My main wager will be locked and loaded on TAUREAN STAR, who has three wins from 10 starts and has been raised only 2lb for his impressive victory at Yarmouth 11 days ago. Jamie Spencer rode him to perfection that day and he’ll need to be on his mettle again here with the draw to overcome. The last three winners of this race have come from stalls with high numbers — Taurean Star has drawn stall seven. I’m confident that if Taurean Star is good enough, the draw won’t stop him.