Flat Edition 6 - 13.6.13

Punters Mourn Passing Of Sir Henry Cecil

Legendary trainer Sir Henry Cecil died on Tuesday morning at the age of 70 following a long battle with stomach cancer. Champion trainer 10 times and responsible for 25 British Classic winners, the master of Warren Place in Newmarket was also the leading handler by some way at Royal Ascot with a record 75 successes. It will not be the same picking strings with out the great man’s horses to choose from.

 What's in a name?

With no winners this week we look at the name behind Theodore Gericault. Jean-Louis André Théodore Géricault  (26 September 1791 – 26 January 1824) was a profoundly influential French artist, painter and lithographer, known for The Raft of the Medusa and other paintings. Although he died young, he became one of the pioneers of the Romantic movement.

The Editor's Royal Ascot preview

Looking forward to Royal Ascot, the Punter is Suprised that Shea Shea, one of the bankers of the weeks is trading at 5/2 Whilst Animal Kingdom is 4/5.

I will not oppose Shea Shea, but feel Animal Kingdom is worth opposing. He has not won at a mile and does not have great turf form, so is no value. Take him on with e/w bets on Aljamaheer 12/1 and Elusive Kate 10/1.

I like Estimate at 8/1 e/w in the Gold Cup, Duntle in the Duke Of Cambridge styakes and Al Kazeem in the Prince of Wales.

 

The John Torpey Memorial Trophy

Points

                       May      Total

Cliff                   214.1       214.1

Martin              210.5       210.5

Tony                177.1         177.1 

Neil                  165.9        165.9

Cod                  134.9       134.9

Peej                  123.8       123.8

Steve                104         104

Bob                    93.2         93.2

News

Dawn Approach appears all set to take his chance in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot next week after pleasing trainer Jim Bolger in a piece of work on Thursday morning.

Animal Kingdom will become the first Kentucky Derby winner to line up at Royal Ascot since the 1930s when he bids to justify odds-on favouritism in the Queen Anne Stakes on Tuesday. A brilliant winner of the Dubai World Cup on his most recent competitive start, connections could have chosen to stay at a mile and a quarter in Wednesday's Prince of Wales's Stakes.

But largely due to the foresight of owners Barry Irwin and John Messara, Animal Kingdom would considerably boost his stallion value if he can gain a first career victory over a mile on turf and set the seal on an astonishing career.

Mike de Kock has unveiled a plan for King's Stand Stakes favourite Shea Shea to step up in trip for next month's Darley July Cup.

The multiple South African champion trainer has been training the six-year-old uphill in an attempt

to familiarise the Al Quoz Sprint winner with Ascot's stiff finish.

Looking further ahead, though, De Kock has no fears of Shea Shea stepping up to six furlongs at Newmarket on July 13.

Speaking in front of a gathering of international media at his Abington Place stables, he said: "I'm very happy with what's happened so far. He'll have been here five weeks by next Tuesday and has done well at hill work