Charles Brynes duly went and landed the Cesarewitch with Run For Oscar last Saturday. It was all rather easy with the win never looking in doubt!
Today, William Buick will be crowned British champion jockey while Benoit de la Sayette is to be crowned champion apprentice. Benoit is a very stylish jockey and sure to make it big in the future. He rode Vafortino to win the Victoria Cup earlier this season and hopefully can ride the winner of the Balmoral handicap in the lucky last today!
Magical Morning finished third in this race last season when sent off a 66/1 outsider. He’s a difficult horse to predict thus his high price again today. If on a going day then I believe Magical morning is well handicapped to win as he is a pound lower than last season and has champion apprentice jockey Benoit De La Sayette claiming off a further 3lbs. Benoit is a class rider and has ridden two winners this season at Ascot, one of which was Vafortino in the Victoria Cup. John Gosden likes to target this valuable handicap having gone close with GM Hopkins (twice), Remarkable, Lord North, all finishing runner up! Magical Morning has a high draw in stall 21 but with no out and out front runner he should be fine to tack over behind the main group.
Johan is overpriced considering he won the Lincoln handicap on the first day of this season. He races from a 3lb higher mark here which is fine. Mick Channon ran him in a Group 2 at Sandown and then we didn’t see Johan until he ran at Doncaster last month. Johan carried top weight last month at Doncaster and finished like a horse that need the run. He will be fit and ready for the Balmoral with David Egan riding drawn in stall 3. Johan has a good record over the mile trip winning five times and is four from six on good to soft ground. Conditions look to have come in his favour and this lightly raced 5yo can win this valuable pot.
Ascot – 4:40
0.5 point each way Magical Morning 25/1 Bet365 else 22/1 Betfred, both paying 6 places.
0.5 point each way Johan 33/1 Bet365 else 22/1 Skybet, both paying 6 places.
Compare Odds at https://www.oddschecker.com/horse-racing
Best of Luck,
Nicky