Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece I look ahead to the best of today’s action at York.

It’s the start of what is going to be an extremely busy ten days or so for me and probably the most intense period of the flat season betting wise.

I’m anticipating selections for each day between now and a week on Sunday. So, it’s time to buckle for some rollercoaster action.

If you want to join me on the journey and get my in depth previews and selections for all next week’s big races. Not just “Glorious” Goodwood but Galway and this Saturday’s racing from Ascot & York you can get for just £10 here.

Top tipster bares his soul

Cards firmly on the table. I’m a big fan of Hugh. Not because I follow his column. I’m a fan because he’s been consistently one of the best in the business. Ok you could never get his prices unless you were either very fast or lucky but that’s not the point. When it came to All weather, low grade racing there’s never been a better pundit than Hugh.

His insights more than a decade ago helped me look at betting in a different way and for that I will always be grateful.

Hugh has been enduring a very lean spell in June/July, I think he had something like 42 consecutive losers in June. Such a run is sure to lead to plenty of negative comments which meant Hugh took to Twitter to open up to to his followers.

Hopefully his thoughts are still up on the attheraces.com website.  His pain is clear and its laid bare. 

He rightly points out he’s not concerned about the losing run he’s going through. A losing run of 42 is normal at the prices of his picks. Indeed 50+ losing runs can be expected.

Not great if you’re following his advice. However, that’s just the reality if you follow value based tipsters. I often mention it here and too my own subscribers how losing months are to be expected and in truth losing years if you’re in the game long enough. Even ‘shrewdies’ like Johnny Dineen have talked of losing years.

It’s a frank and very honest response from Hugh. To be open and articulate it in such a way shows how top class the man is.

Elephant in the room

Although Hugh doesn’t mention it, Artificial Intelligence (AI) detection systems will eventually see most value seeking tipsters go the way of the dodo. You heard it here first.

I’m starting to look at AI and the possibilities are fascinating. It won’t be long before the bookies are able to analyse likely targets and kill prices so there’s no risk to the firms.

AI is changing the world we live in probably not for the better for the ordinary man and woman but change it will. Betting on horses or any sport won’t be exempt from these changes. Tipsters and any punters for that matter are going to have think about AI and its impact and quickly.

King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes Update

Eleven were declared on Thursday for the most eagerly awaited flat race in Britain for many years.  Sadly, Desert Crown won’t be in the line-up. Last year’s Derby winner has got a leg infection which means he’s forced to miss the race. Hopefully he’ll be fit for York’s International Stakes.

The other absentee’s were expected. Aidan O’Brien hasn’t declared Adelaide River & Broome but still runs three Auguste Rodin, Luxembourg, Point Lonsdale & Bolshoi Ballet. The latter two runners look potential pacemakers for Auguste Rodin.

French challenger Simca Mille also stays at home which isn’t surprising given he needs quick ground.

Luxembourg is in stall 1 and stablemate Bolshoi Ballet will come out of stall 2.

Ascot got 17mm of rain on Wednesday night turning the going to soft. It’s forecast to be dry on Friday with some light showers on Saturday. There could be a strong breeze over the next few days so that will help the drying process.  I could see it being good to soft by race time but that’s me sticking my ‘finger in the air’ and its a guessing game really.

You could still get Hamish at 100/1 with bet365, 40/1 with Sky Bet (paying 4 places) on Thursday lunchtime. You must be tempted by Luxembourg at 16/1 with Bet365. He’s well overpriced at those odds especially as I think this race has been the plan all season but stall 1 is off putting.

Friday Preview

Onto today action. Ascot kicks off its two day King George meeting with a six-race card.  The feature race is the John Guest Racing Handicap (3:35) which has £23,193 on offer to the winner.

Arguably this evening’s York card where the headline race is The Listed Lyric Fillies' Stakes (7.15). There are also five intriguing handicaps with the best of them being the Sky Bet Extra Places Every Day Handicap (7:50). Sadly, the Class 2 handicap as only attracted six runners for a race with £30,000 guaranteed prize money. Thankfully the other four handicaps have got double figure line-ups.

York

7:15 – We haven’t seen Electric Eyes since she finished a 2 ¾ length 2nd of 14 to Commissioning in the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket last October.  A winner on soft ground at Thirsk on her racecourse debut. Underfoot conditions shouldn’t pose a problem for this well regarded filly. Open to further improvement and although her stamina for 1m 2f must be taken on trust I think she’ll stay. Yard’s horses are going well and if she’s ready to roll after her long absence she can make a winning start to her 3-year-old career.

Electric Eyes – 9/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.

Good luck with your Friday bets.

John