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Royal Ascot Day 2

What an amazing day of racing we witnessed yesterday, sheer quality from start to finish. Personally, for me the highlight was Baatash winning the Kings Stand and putting the "myth" about Ascot to bed. There was no shame in being beaten by Blue Point a couple of times but he thoroughly deserved a win at the Royal meeting. For a horse that has achieved so much, I wonder if perhaps he doesn't get the credit he deserves? A debate for another day perhaps as today's card has taken quite a lot of time to go through!

Again, my initial thought for day two is proceed with caution. There are a host of difficult handicaps with any amount of potentially well-handicapped horses and the Group races on the card offer little respite in terms of difficulty level. Addeybb would be a strong fancy if the rain arrives in time but to back him now would be guessing. The trendy horse for the day is clearly Ranch Hand for the concluding handicap at 4.40. I don't pay too much attention to other selections online but you couldn't help but notice his popularity yesterday evening. As a result, his price has contracted dramatically and in my opinion the value has gone. 

The impressive win of Pyledriver yesterday boosted the form of Berlin Tango's win over 1m 2f at Kempton a couple of weeks ago. However, the 1.50 looks quite a strong contest (Kenzai Warrior is of particular interest) and taking the same form line I prefer Bright Melody in the mile and a half handicap at 2.25. He was beaten 4 lengths in third at Kempton but he ran better than the result would suggest, doing all his best work late on over what might prove to be an inadequate trip. The step up in trip is sure to suit, particularly as he appears to be quite slow into stride. The first time cheekpieces will sharpen him up and help him travel into the contest a little easier. I have no doubt a mark of 98 underestimates his ability and hopefully we see that sooner rather than later.

Brian Epstein went into the tracker immediately after crossing the line at Haydock on his reappearance. He pulled well clear of the remainder despite never threatening to beat the well handicapped winner. Given his style of racing, the race should be run to suit if getting the gaps when needed. The slight concern as with all big field handicaps is where the pace will come from but at the price I am willing to take that chance at a small stake. 


0.5 pt eway Bright Melody (11/2 general) Ascot 2.25 *use firms paying first 5

0.5 pt win Brian Epstein (9/1 general) Ascot 1.15 

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