Pick of the Pundits – The best bets from today’s press
Published:Despite a day yesterday in which Frankel justified his 30/100 favouritism (albeit very slightly) only 11 of the 50 racing writers entered in the Racing Post naps competition managed to find a winner.
Frederick Engels and Power were the winning punts yesterday for most of the tipsters, and Peter Thickett of The Star continued his incredible run of form by backing the former.
Which makes his pick Sajjhaa very enticing today.
15:05 Ascot: Sajjhaa – 7/2
Thickett and four other writers from the Irish Post, the News Of The World, the Daily Telegraph and the Racing Post are on board Saeed bin Suroor’s filly and it’s easy to see why.
In our preview of the 15:05 Windsor Forest Stakes we’re backing Jacqueline Gold to run a big race at a huge price, but in the same preview we completely agree with Sajjhaa occupying favouritism and she is definitely the danger.
The record for favourites in this race isn’t great but the Windsor Forest Stakes is a relative newcomer to Royal Ascot – this will be the eighth running – and Sajjhaa can join Soviet Song as the second favourite to justify their Royal Ascot odds.
17:00 Ascot: Shumoos – 5/4
Frederick Engels’ win yesterday looks to have made Shumoos the banker of the day at Royal Ascot and five writers are jumping on the bandwagon.
The Shropshire Star, the Racing Post, the Daily Mirror, The Express and the Sunday Telegraph all fancy Brian Meehan’s filly to win and her form is the best in the race following yesterday’s result.
Studying form in a two-year-old stakes is never easy, but Shumoos finished four-and-a-half lengths ahead of Frederick Engels with a devastating turn of foot at Haydock on her only appearance and if she runs to that standard again, this field will be decimated.
