Motakhayyel has the form in the book so is not discounted, though he is untested on very soft ground so the forecast rain could be a concern and it would be a very impressive performance to win this off this weight. Raising Sand is a course specialist who will be hoping for rain, though would still likely need a career best to win. Symbolize has some solid Ascot form in the book coming 3rd in the Jersey Stakes and 4th in the Windsor Castle and he still looks to be improving judged on his last run which was a career best and he is respected today as he looks to have his optimum conditions. Escobar is a course winner over a mile who is now back on a winning mark, he is sure to be doing his best work at the finish and will like the underfoot conditions so would have to be given a chance. Chiefofchiefs won the silver Wokingham and finished 4th behind Blue Mist over course and distance off a pound higher, he made a good comeback at Doncaster but the forecast rain would be a slight concern, there is also the suspicion that he is better over 6F and does not appear to be hiding anything from the handicapper off his current mark. Jack’s Point was beaten just over a length over course and distance in The Buckingham Palace last year and is only a pound higher today. Jack’s Point was beaten a length by Motakhayyel on that occasion and he reopposes on 12 pound better terms today, so he would have to be given a chance despite the fact that he may have benefited from the golden highway when 2nd to Motakhayyel and when he won at Newmarket. History Writer ran a better race than the bare form suggests in The Lincoln and has some pieces of form that would give him a chance in this, though his backers will be hoping for lots of rain, and should that rain arrive he could run a big race at massive odds for an inform stable. On A Session has some very strong soft ground form in Ireland, he switched stables early this year and has run two very promising races since then, he usually backs his form up very well so the quick turnaround looks a positive for him and with the step back in trip to 7F likely to suit, this strong traveller would be high on the shortlist. Acquited is another who would have to be given a good chance, still unexposed he ran a massive Race when 2nd in the spring mile, he is still potentially well handicapped and coming from an inform yard with an interesting jockey booking he looks a definite player in this. The vote goes to another unexposed 4 year old in SUNSET BREEZE, who looks like he could be a Sir Mark Prescott plot job. A winner on soft ground he has some very strong form in the book at the backend of last season, including when runner up twice, one of which was over course and distance, both times finishing behind horses who are now rated a stone higher, with subsequent winners in behind. He is being well supported in the early markets and is fancied to come out on top in a typically competitive renewal of this race.
Victoria Cup Best Bets
NAP – SUNSET BREEZE – Best priced 11/1 William Hill
NEXT BEST – ON A SESSION – Best Priced 25/1 (BOG) Bet365
3RD BEST – ACQUITED – Best Priced 9/1 William Hill
4TH BEST – SYMBOLIZE – Best Priced 16/1 (BOG) Bet365
At big prices JACK’S POINT (Best priced 20/1 (BOG) Bet365) and HISTORY WRITER (Best priced 66/1 Ladbrokes) are two horses that we feel could both run big races, especially HISTORY WRITER should a lot of rain arrive.
