A rare mineral...

Dear All

What an amazing Flat season we have enjoyed so far this year. At Royal Ascot, which ended yesterday there were no end of extraordinary performances and stories to warm the cockles of your hearts...

Canford Cliffs, Frankel, Fame And Glory, Brown Panther, Maybe, Await The Dawn, Nathaniel, Frederick Engels, Bapak Chinta, Immortal Verse, Rewilding, Power etc etc.and these are just race winners. There were countless other top class performances. Sensational stuff and we made a few quid also...

My two main systems for picking winners both performed admirably and I will continue to track qualifiers here over the next few months. I will also be looking to add to our portfolio of systems...

I was most impressed with the way Maybe won yesterday's Chesham Stakes - doubts about the going and sweating beforehand hinted at concern and was reflected in the market as Maybe drifted alarmingly. The system I use to identify juvenile winners pointed so strongly towards Maybe and with the collateral support of the breeding through her sire Galileo it was a maximum bet for me. Power also looked really mature and if ever a name suited a horse's demeanour it was this one. Both look real Guineas prospects for next year and, although it's very early days and the prices are ridiculously short, I am tempted. I think I shall resist.

I will submit a list of those to follow from Royal Ascot. It was going to be a list of beaten horses but I suspect it will now be two lists; one of winners and one of beaten ones.

On today, I have two for the money:

Dhaamer in the 3:40 and Vulcanite in the 4:10 at Pontefract; both from my Alerts List though neither are system qualifiers. Vulcanite is a very interesting contender A run of 4 victories (the best at Class 2) for this progressive individual was interrupted by defeat (8th) but and its a big but!) it was in the the G1 Prix Royal-Oak (French St Leger); quite a step up...
Jim Crowley has travelled up to South Yorkshire to ride for his guv'nor Mr Beckett, a stable I like - very much on the up - and I have gone in here...

Just had a text from my daughter during the Round Tom race; distracted me; stopped watching and failed to press the lay button when it was obvious the petrol was running out. Should have realised: A French-bred over three and a quarter miles; didn't see another horse for three miles and one furlong then failed to see the trip out so certain non-stayer. Over a shorter trip will be some bet next time.

Happy punting!

Cheerio.

Rm (Mark)