Wonderful Night is uniquely advantaged by circumstances and ‘politics’ for the six-runner group one King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes over twelve furlongs of ‘good to firm’ Ascot this afternoon and one particular twist of fate, which involves trainer David Menuisier’s charge, is this four-year-old ‘winning machine’ has been landed with a new jockey, champion Oisin Murphy!
Championship-chasing William Buick has been aboard ex-French-trained Wonderful Night the last twice, registering clear-cut course and distance successes on soft surfaces but is claimed by Godolphin for unchallenged Epsom Derby winner Adayar and Murphy, in the form of his young life, gets the nod; he’s really excited about prospects for the Le Havre four-year-old which has won four times from five successive races having been a ‘slow burner’ initially.
On the BHA ratings Adayar comes out best after incorporating weight-for-age but, of course, Wonderful Night gets a mares’ allowance and my time-handicap differs (yet again!) with official ratings, which has been the case numerous times down the years.
Aidan O’Brien-trained Love will be favourite, Ryan Moore has chosen her in preference to pace-making Broome which leaves ‘multi-millionaire’ Mishriff and Lone Eagle, mount of Franke Dettori, as the only others, which need to improve considerably.
Menuisier genuinely believes Wonderful Night will be ideally suited to what promises to be pristine good ground and so, at double-digit odds, I’m happy to play each-way with two places on offer; ‘Murph’ is also booked for Desert Dreamer in the eleven-runner group two Princess Margaret Stakes over six furlongs and what beats them will win!
Desert Dreamer achieved a ‘career-best’ under Oisin two weeks ago, when a two lengths runner-up to unbeaten Sandrine in the group two ‘Duke Of Cambridge’ at Newmarket, and trainer Stuart Williams is absolutely buzzing about this progressive, consistent Oasis Dream filly; don’t oppose.
Running in tandem will be another seven-race ‘good to firm’ programme on the Newmarket July course where Dazzling Dan carries top-weight in an ‘aged’ handicap over six furlongs; Pam Sly has booked Rav Havlin for the five-year-old Dandy Man gelding which she reports in ‘tremendous form!’
Dazzling Dan was napped at Ascot recently and finished second and therefore is obviously our FUN selection to go one better.
We ‘turned the corner’ when Burning Bush responded to urgings of Tom Marquand at Newbury on Thursday and I’m extremely confident as this ubiquitous season heads into ‘Glorious Goodwood’ next week; stick with me, I’m with you all the way.
What a ‘Wonderful’ life and I’m looking at a magnificent full moon!
Selections, Ascot, 1.50 Desert Dreamer (e.w); 3.35 Wonderful Tonight (e.w); Newmarket, 5.50 Dazzling Dan (e.w).
At this moment Wonderful Night is not a certain runner because owners/trainer believe she needs a softer surface; I have no ‘replacement’ selection as the race would be too difficult. guessing is never an option, this column is all about profiting, every month!
Jeffrey Ross, horse-racing correspondent for WMN since 1983 when winning the most prestigious racing journalist award, Sporting Life Naps Table, before winning it a record number of six times collectively in the Racing Post, the current ‘trade’ paper, including 2019