Apologies for no post on Saturday. It was a strange race the Group 1 King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot. The front pair in the betting, Auguste Rodin and Emily Upjohn ran no sort of races. The O’Brian horse was beaten fully 3 furlongs from home. He must have some issue and it was a similar story with the filly Emily Upjohn, she found nothing when asked to go by her rider Frankie Detttori.

It ended up a good finish with Hukum just prevailing from Westover. I thought both horses got good rides, and the best horse won.

On to today. At Vittel in France I like Haiti Du Berlais in the 11.10 race, she is around 11/10 and although she has top weight, she won well last time and should be too good for her rivals.

At Lingfield this evening I like Magic Memories each way in the 6.57 race, he has not got the ideal draw in 3 but ran well last time when third at Windsor and if he can master the current favourite Molaqab, he should win. He is around 11/2 with most firms.

More soon.

Good racing today with 6 meetings in the UK and Down Royal and Cork in Ireland. At Ascot where the ground like most tracks at the moment will be on the soft side. I thought Gaassee could have a good chance of getting back in the winners enclosure 3.35. His stable are in form and he should be fine on the ground. At Thirsk where it will be soft ground, Darnation 2.35 was a good third on debut at Haydock at the start of this month, with progress expected from that run she could be worth backing at around 3/1.

At Newmarket this evening, racing gets under way at 5.52. The son of Calyx and current favourite is Habrdi who makes his debut, he looks good on paper and is from the astute George Boughey yard. He could be well drawn in 14 and has been showing some talent on the gallops. Naqeeb will be short odds to win the 7.35 race, he stayed on strongly last time at Newbury over 10f, today he has an extra 2f and should be too smart for his rivals.

I will put a post out tomorrow, with a really good card at Ascot. The big race at 3.40 is the King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Group 1) with a really top-class field. I am not sure what I would back if given a choice, possibly Emily Upjohn each way as she has Dettori back on top. It is an open race and looks like a really intriguing contest.

Some good racing today at Newbury where the going should be good. Maximum Dividend 2.25 was a good second at Sandown earlier this month and will improve a good deal for that run. He can be too smart for his rivals, although I have heard that the Roger Varian horse Boiling Point is nice. At Newmarket this evening I like Ziryab in the 7.30 race, he ran well at Ascot on his last run and should get the better of the older rival Royal Symbol.

In France at Vichy where the going could be on the soft side, Pepete 3.00 has been second on her last three runs. She wears cheekpieces but looks honest enough and this looks her best opportunity so far to win. She was second to a useful horse in Kumaite twice, and nothing of his quality line up unless the unraced Astra Dream is useful.

More soon.