Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece, I’m looking back at Saturday’s key action — including big races from York and Sandown — plus a few words on Royal Ascot and a quick update from me.
🟡 York – Macmillan Charity Day Recap
It was a sun-drenched day at York, with a tailwind in the straight making it tough for hold-up horses and favouring those ridden prominently.
Grand Cup Stakes
There were warning signs before the off for favourite Absurde, who was reluctant to go down to the start. If you’d taken short odds, you’d have been sweating.
In the race itself, Al Qareem was allowed to dictate. When he gets an uncontested lead, he’s tough to peg back — and so it proved again. Absurde loomed up travelling strongly 2f out, but either couldn’t or wouldn’t go past. He flattened out, while Al Qareem kept finding. The 9/2 SP on the winner looks generous in hindsight.
As for Absurde — he was too keen early and offered little when asked. A flat performance from the market leader.
Churchill Tyres Supporting Macmillan Sprint Handicap
The day’s big betting race was a 22-runner sprint (down to 18 after non-runners) and looked a real puzzle beforehand.
The solution? Hucklesbrook, trained by Roger Teal and ridden with confidence by Joanna Mason. She kept him prominent, kicked 2f out, and stole a couple of lengths — never looked like being caught. Hucklesbrook is on a sharp upward curve, having also won at Leicester last time.
Fast Track Harry ran a stormer in second, considering he was too far back early — especially on a track that favoured pace. A 3yo sprinter going the right way and one to note.
Double Rush, the favourite, ran well from a tough draw in stall 20. Moved into it nicely but couldn’t get close to the well-ridden winner. Still remains very much in form.
For what it’s worth — Hucklesbrook was a qualifying trend horse for Wednesday's race trends column.
Sandown: Colin Shows His Class
The forecast rain didn’t arrive, which led to 25 non-runners. Many trainers clearly declared in expectation of soft ground. Once again, trying to second guess British weather proved futile.
The highlight was Colin Keane’s first ride at Sandown — and a winning one — on Town And Country in the Listed Scurry Stakes.
The Henry de Bromhead-trained filly travelled best, but Keane had to wait for a gap. When it came, he produced her perfectly to win right on the line. Plenty of jockeys wouldn’t have got her out in time — Keane showed his class. It was a win that easily could have been a hard-luck story.
Royal Ascot Plans
The final declarations for Tuesday’s card are in — and excited doesn’t quite cover it.
Most of the big names stand their ground. The forecast is for hot, sunny weather, so we’re set for fast ground, deep fields, and top-class two-year-olds — what’s not to love?
As mentioned last week, I’ll be previewing four juvenile races for Geegeez during the week. Combined with my Victor Value content, it means my Daily Punt output will be lighter than usual. I’ll likely do something for Tuesday, but beyond that it’ll be limited.
Join Me for Royal Ascot – Just £10
If you want to come along for the ride, you can join me for the full week of Royal Ascot for just £10.
No subscriptions
No upsells
Just straight-up insight, analysis, and selections
The last two years have been profitable, and I’ll be aiming to make it three in a row in 2025.
Let’s find some winners!
✅ Stop Press: Three winners on Saturday, including Hucklesbrook at York — advised at 18/1.
Good luck with your Monday bets,
John
Had your Tuesday review but not your selection