Wokingham 2019

[Venture to Cognac]

Worth noting that Paddy Power and Sportsbook both go 5 places as of now….

https://www.oddschecker.com/horse-racing/ante-post-racing/royal-ascot/wokingham-stakes/winner

It’s always been a race where I get distracted by “cliff” horses, but there was a definite changing of the guard last season, and even less so this season, so tougher than ever for me.

I’ve only had the winner of this once in the last ten years, and even then, with Intransigent, I got butchered with a Rule 4.

Cautious approach then, but there are a few jumping out.

Barbill – Still a youngster, but he seems streetwise enough, and he had a few excuses in The Coventry last year. Encouraging run last time, and early evidence suggests he isn’t ground dependent, and having kept some lofty company so far, he’s definitely considered 33’s

Cape Byron – He doesn’t really fit the profile of what I’d usually look at here, not least with question marks over the trip, and also his mark. However, I just loved the way he did it in The Victoria Cup, and he has to be worth a second look 20’s

Gifted Master – He broke my heart in The Stewards Cup last year, denying Justanotherbottle by the narrowest of margins. I’m a massive fan of Bottle, and he was 100% that day, so any horse who beat him, is always going to be on my radar. Gifted Master hasn’t done that much since Goodwood, but he’s proven in a big field like this, and crucially, his quiet campaign since then sees him 4lbs lower. The thought of this being his long term target can’t be ruled out, and as much as I’m in no rush for an early go, the 33’s looks mad 33’s

Hey Jonesy – Really liked his run towards the tail of last season at Doncaster. He showed signs of encouragement last week at York, and on the strength of his run in The Commonwealth Cup alone, he’s very difficult to rule out with any conviction. He’s a big price 33’s

Major Jumbo – I think I’ve only ever bet him the once, but he’s one of those who it’s impossible not to take to. He’s a model of consistency, and this is well within him. Seems ideal for after final decs, with maximum places available, as he looks rock solid each way 20’s

Mr Scarlet – On bare form, hard to recommend, but I Follow this yard as the flat season kicks in, and I’m struggling to remember any that they’ve targeted across The Irish Sea. My kind might be playing tricks on me in that respect, but the mere fact that he’s been entered is enough for me to sit up and take notice 66’s

Perfection – She might be risky Antepost, as she’ll obviously have other options at the meeting, but she’s certainly versatile and having ran well in The Sandringham last year, she’s proved to be pretty consistent since then. For all the market hasn’t missed her, she’s interesting 16’s

Stone of Destiny – He’s been a bit disappointing, but I can’t get away from his run in The Commonwealth Cup, and were he to trap here, he might just be a threat from top connections 33’s

That’s enough for now, and it’ll obviously make more sense to wait until nearer the time, which I want to do. Still, that 33’s on Gifted Master is tempting, and although he’s not bet yet, he’s my definite #1 right now.

Gifted Master 33’s

[darren83]

TIS MARVELOUS 33/1

Has won at 6f at 2 and decent run at Goodwood last time out by this horse ran well in race last year and can go well again this race

[Venture to Cognac]

Still no news on Gifted Master, and no sign of being jocked up, but having at least made the five day decs, I’ll take that 33’s. Win only for now, and I’ll go each way if he’s actually declared.

Gifted Master 33’s

[botchy1]

One from way out of the left field in Southern Horse

Reported to of been bought from Argentina for a fair few pesos for some Chinese owners. Ran second in a G1 for 2YO’s at the back end of last year.Has an entry in the July Cup and must of just been entered in a couple of G2’s just this week.

Could be anything really. Found a replay of that race on You tube ( stall 16 )

[BigG]

I’ve gone for 2 in this. I really fancy the chances of Watchable who I took the
other day at 25/1. He’s dropped a few points since then but coral still have
him at 22/1. He’s 9 years old, so it would be hard to say he’s progressive but he
has struck a rich vein of form, and by the way he trotted up at Epsom 3 weeks ago
there’s more to come. He won as he liked (his 3rd win in 4 races) off a mark of 93
and the handicapper clearly things he’s still well in at that mark and duly humped
a further 10lbs to 103. He was allocated 93 for this but has to carry a 5lb penalty
for his win earlier this month. Even so, that has him running off of 98, which means
he’s 5lbs well in judged on his new mark of 103. David O’Meara has already had a
winner at the meeting with Lord Glitters in the Queen Anne Stakes, I’d imagine he
thinks he’s got every chance to add to that tally here.

I’m also very keen on one Bobby has already highlighted, Gifted Master and I’ve
taken the 33s with Bet365. He’s another one that’s potentially very
well handicapped running off a mark of 107, considering he won the Stewards Cup last
year off of 111. He hasn’t shown a great deal since, but he’s just the type to step
up to the plate in a big handicap like this. I’m surprised his price, 33/1, is still
holding up with Bet365, I think he’ll be half that price come Saturday.

[KevMc]

Watchable 25/1

Exactly as BigG says, horse is back thriving and should have a decent each way chance. Draw in 11 the only thing that dampens my enthusiasm but drawn beside the fancied Cape Byron hopefully will help him track something into the race.

Southern Horse 20/1

Can’t leave this beast alone. Group 1 winner in Argentina is probably a heritage handicap/Group 3 equivalent here but the fact Bolger is taking him over has me hooked into a small bet.

[Chivers1987]

As far as bare form goes then Hey Jonesy has lots going for him. He did weaken in the Group 2 won by Invincible Army but that can be expected against classier individuals. Also ran a cracking race in last years Commonwealth cup so course form to boot. I’ve laid out his last race like this for some reason:

1st – Invincible Army (2nd fav for Diamond Jubilee)
2nd – Major Jumbo (Decent enough effort in fairly weak group 2 next time in France)
3rd – Yafta (No run since)
4th – Limato (Ditto)
5th – Hey Jonesy
6th – El Astronaute (No impression next time with claimer on board, then won Irish Listed event)
7th – Brando (Won a good looking conditions race recently)
8th – George Bowen (6th of 6 but not disgraced on unfavourable ground in listed race)
9th – Ornate (Won the Epsom Dash next time out)
10th – Projection (No run since)

I don’t think it will suit him in this race to go off in front but I’m hoping Kevin Stott can get him prominent early in behind some decent pace. He’s drawn close to Recon Mission who will likely show early speed. 16/1 is fair.

[Venture to Cognac]

Agree with that Chivers, I think Jonesy has a great chance.

I was very close to adding him, but in the end went with Stone of Destiny as backup, the 33’s was too good to knock back.

Gifted Master 33’s
Gifted Master 22’s (7 Places)
Stone of Destiny 33’s (7 Places)

[Middle_Of_March]

Hey Jonesy at 16/1 is a huge price.

Few quid on Cape Byron at 7/1 too but I really fancy Hey Jonesy here.

[buckers]

I love that Skybet are offering 7 places.

I have went with Fighting Irish as my main hope here. I think that the price is insulting at 80-1. My ew bet is at 66-1. Another outsider I like is Raucous + I’ve bet him at 50-1 ew.

In a race of this nature I like to have three + I have a smaller win bet on Watchable at 25-1

[raymo61]

SOLDIERS MINUTE 25/1 and BARON BOLT 40/1 both seven places for me!!

Soldiers won very easily at York and this looks ideal for him!!

Baron Bolt is a big price on his Ayr Gold Cup form albeit on different ground but the price makes him worth a punt.

Good Luck Guys

[Venture to Cognac]

Well done MoM with the winner, and Buckers with nice placer at 50’s.

[Author]

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