I am going to start each day with our each way Trixie Bet of 0.10 points, which is equal to 0.80 Points.
2:30 Ascot
AUDIENCE 7/1 generally – 0.75 POINTS E/W (4 places, 1/5 odds)
The more I go through this race, the more I am warming to AUDIENCE, who I think is a top class bet at 7/1. He won the Lockinge at Newbury back in May and didn’t just win, he took the field apart from the front and travelled so well throughout. I honestly don’t think it was a fluke and the step up to 1 mile brought out more improvement. He had today’s 3/1 favourite, Charyn, back in 2nd, 2 lengths back, yet Charyn is 3/1 and our selection is 7/1, it just doesn’t make sense. All of last season AUDIENCE was running top class races at group level over 7f, the minute they step him up to 1m, he takes the field apart and runs a career best.
Today’s trip is 1 mile and although it is a stiff mile, he could improve for it again.
John Gosden trains both AUDIENCE and last year’s 2nd Inspiral, yet he is happy to take Inspiral to the Prince Of Wales Stakes on Wednesday, which to me says he thinks he has a top class with AUDIENCE in this race.
Looking through the field, the obvious danger is Charyn who has improved this season. Big Rock is all class but surely he wants the ground a bit softer. The same applies with the other French horse, Facteur Cheval, probably wanting it a bit softer.
With 4 places on offer and AUDIENCE available at 7/1, he has to be the bet of the race. E/W.
3:45 Ascot
BIG EVS 4/1 generally – 1 POINT WIN
This is a very poor renewal of the Kings Charles Stakes and I don’t think it is a very top class group 1. It looks more like a group 2 apart from a couple of horses. I think BIG EVS will take lots of beating. On fastish ground he is as fast as they come. He showed us that last year at Santa Anita when winning the Breeders Cup Turf. He also won the Flying Childers back in September and his first start of the season was a nice win at York in a listed race. He will come on loads for that run and it has all been geared up for this race. If the real BIG EVS turns up which is normally the case as he is very consistent, he will take some stopping. WIN.
5:05 Ascot
PIED PIPER 15/2 generally – 0.75 POINTS E/W (6 places, 1/5 odds)
PIED PIPER was 6th in this race in 2022 off a mark of 96. He went on to finish 2nd in the Cesarewitch last season, so has clearly improved on the flat since 2022. He was a 4 year old when he ran in this race in 2022 and now at the age of 6 and more mature, he has to have a big chance. He is 4lb higher in the handicap but there is no doubt he is a 4lb better horse. He will have to carry top weight but he copes well with big weights, as we have seen over hurdles when carrying 11st 11lb in the County Hurdle, at the Cheltenham Festival, coming home 3rd. Jamie Spencer has been booked so I am expecting a waiting ride and for him to be delivered late. E/W.
