It's a scorcher!

And I thought Cyprus was hot a few weeks ago!

I was thinking of doing a trends preview for one of the Ascot races, but have opted instead for the Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh on Sunday, which has a fascinating angle.
First, there is an error in the book for this race under the 2007 winner, Saoirse Abu, as it should read J Bolger instead of the jockey K Manning! By the way, feel free to contact me with any errors from the book that you may have come across – I’ve found a few – as they can be included for the second edition.

I did some extra research on the Phoenix Stakes for my column in The Irish Field and discovered that British trainers have a poor record in the event having sent over 18 losers in the last 10 years, including four Royal Ascot winners – three of whom won the Coventry Stakes. All four ran creditably in this event, finishing either second or third, but it doesn’t bode well for Art Connoisseur, who won this year’s renewal at Ascot.
Compare that to Aidan O’Brien’s record in the race – especially with the year he is having, including another Group race on Thursday night – and Mastercraftsman looks a better option. This colt also scooped the Railway Stakes, along with Holy Roman Emperor and George Washington.
The other main principal is David Wachman’s, Bushranger, who won the Anglesey Stakes, an event both Johannesaburg and One Cool Cat won for the O’Brien yard.

The stats suggest Art Connoisseur is one to be against, but what interests me about the race are the prices as Mastercraftsman is still surprisingly around the 5/2 mark, so I’ll be having an interest on him.

Also on Sunday, Orpsie Boy has been declared for the valuable Hong Kong Sprint at Ascot, a horse regulars will know I’m waiting to nail him in a big field on fast ground. The stable is still having a lean time but there was a good report about his homework a week ago, however, I’m beginning to wonder if he is jinxed as he has been given stall 26 at Ascot on Sunday! Who knows at this stage if it will be a disadvantage, so I’m going to watch Saturday’s events unfold before deciding, but I will most likely have only a small each-way bet as it would be hard to let a big-price winner go unbacked. If I’m honest, a running-on fifth or sixth wouldn’t be the worst thing as I’m sure there is a nice race in him when the stable hopefully hit form.

Visions Of Johanna was a winner for the Top Of The Form entries on Thursday, but it’s a shame Golden Prospect isn’t running at Wolverhampton today (Friday) as that race was ideal but he is entered up next week. Over at York tonight, though, Kyllachy Star should go well with the extra furlong to suit.

Good luck punting over the weekend, I’m off to Southend for the weekend as it’s my wife’s birthday. Casino on Saturday night, then Rossi’s ice cream on Sunday – happy days!