Legacy can crack exotic Code in the Ribblesdale
BACKING up from Epsom’s Derby meeting to Royal Ascot is not easy but it can be done.
Ten Bob Tony showed that with his shock 50/1 victory in the Queen Anne on Tuesday after winning the Tattenham Corner Stakes, and I fancy one who ran a blinder in the Oaks to go one better on Thursday.
LEGACY LINK only found Thundering On too good at Epsom and looks rock solid in the Group Two Ribblesdale Stakes (3.40pm).
Andrew Balding’s filly was teak-tough in the Musidora at York in May, earning a tilt at the Oaks, where she ran a huge race, and probably bumped into a real star in Joseph O’Brien’s winner.
It’s a quick two-week turnaround, but the Balding team believe she’s well following her Epsom exertions and she looks tough to beat on form.
However, she’s expected to be short in the market, and I’m not sure she’ll be great value.
Thankfully, with World Pool in operation, punters can bet into the global exotic markets, and this race sets up well for a Quinella (pick the first two home in any order).
GILDED PRIZE is worth including with the Balding runner.
Also owned by Juddmonte, Francis Henri-Graffard’s contender looked the real deal when winning a French Group Three on her second start in April and just didn’t like the soft ground when beaten next time out.
The French Oaks was the plan, but Graffard has decided to go here, which must be a vote of confidence in her chance.
I’ll also take Joseph O’Brien’s JOHANNA WALSH as a third selection in our Quinella.
She looks progressive, having bolted up on her last start, and that form has worked out well.
Her trainer, Joseph O’Brien, who’s already tasted Royal Ascot success this week, is a big fan too and thinks she’ll love this fast ground.
In the Britannia Stakes (4.50pm), there are a host of promising types, with some more well-found in the market than others.
Organise, We’re Goosers and Wechaad are at the top of the betting but I’ve found a few flying in more under the radar.
OUTBACK HEAT is one. Harry Eustace’s runner won the same Ascot race Eustace used with Docklands en route to Britannia glory back in 2023.
Eustace knows how to win the race, was unlucky with La Botte in it 12 months ago, and with Kaiya Fraser booked, who is a fine jockey but lesser known to World Pool punters in Hong Kong, you could find some value in the Win and Place markets.
I also rate Archie Watson’s EXCLUSIVE CODE.
He bumped into some top-quality opposition in two juvenile starts and then got off the mark in excellent style at Newbury in April.
There was no stopping him from the front, and the second to fifth have all come out and won since.
His mark of 92 looks lenient and he could run a big race.
POINTERS THURSDAY
Legacy Link, Gilded Prize, Johanna Walsh (Quinella) 3.40pm Ascot
Outback Heat (Win and Place) 4.50pm Ascot
Exclusive Code (Win and Place) 4.50pm Ascot