Jamie Clark was Sports Editor of Coral bookmakers between 2014 and 2017 during their merger with Labrokes and a key period for the British betting industry. Working as a bookie’s runner on the point to point circuit in the Midlands and at Market Rasen Racecourse where his late godfather had a trackside pitch growing up, he has had ties to horse racing all of his life. A regular visitor to Cheltenham during the National Hunt season and York over the summer, he has been involved in Horsebetting.com since its inception. Jamie now brings you his take on major news stories from the racing world and those all-important betting tips.
Johnston miler best of Queen Anne contingent
Marie’s Diamond ran a stormer at Royal Ascot when third last time out, so can cash in on an ease in grade with victory in the Group 2 Summer Mile at the Berkshire venue on Saturday (15:15).
Trained by Mark Johnston, this four-year-old by Footstepsinthesand is a front-running type that thrives on racing. Marie’s Diamond came on for a two-length third to the re-opposing Urban Icon on his return to action.
That was on the all-weather at Wolverhampton and once back on turf, the Middleham Park Racing owned colt resumed winning ways. That was in the Listed 1m Paradise Stakes at Newmarket where Marie’s Diamond made all.
He went clear in the final furlong for a comfortable 4 1/2 lengths victory over re-opposing rival Lord Tennyson. Although Marie’s Diamond missed the Group 3 Diomed Stakes, connections had their eyes on a bigger prize.
That was at Royal Ascot where he was sent off an unfancied 40/1 for the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes. Marie’s Diamond was headed approaching the final furlong, but still plugged on to hit the frame.
As he was only beaten 3 1/4 lengths by previous Royal Ascot winner Circus Maximus, it was a career best. The Summer Mile is easier, for all there are some re-opposing from in-behind that day with excuses.
With Joe Fanning again on board, Marie’s Diamond can give another good account of himself in an open renewal.
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Unlucky Mohaather feared most
Marcus Tregoning knows Mohaather was denied a clear run in the Queen Anne, so seeks compensation here.
Owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, this four-year-old Showcasing colt is a dual Group 3 winner at Newbury. He is also lightly-raced for his age after just six career starts.
Mohaather has won three of those, but is zero from two at Ascot. He ran well here on British Champions Day last October for one so inexperienced when a five-length fifth in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
The going was heavy that day, and the third home Safe Voyage has since won at Listed level. Mohaather was beaten a similar margin on his return to action wen seventh at the royal meeting.
After travelling strongly in the rear of the field, he was waiting for room approaching three out. Gaps didn’t appear until too late for Mohaather, however, as he ran on in the final half-furlong.
He was never able to challenge. If Dane O’Neill, who takes over from Jim Crowley in the saddle, adopts similar tactics, then better luck in-running is needed.
The Summer Mile has a smaller field with less depth to it than the Queen Anne, so Mohaather may get the breaks this time. Going left-handed brings out the best in him, though, and all his wins have been at courses configured that way.
Although respected, there are reasons to take Mohaather on here including the form of his stable. It is easy to see why he is favourite, though.
Duke Of Hazzard among each-way options for Summer Mile
This is wide-open, so many will fancy their chances. Chief among those are connections of Duke Of Hazzard who should come on for his Queen Anne run.
Trained by father-son team Paul and Oliver Cole, the experienced four-year-old has won five of his 16 starts and also placed on a further five occasions.
Owned by Fitri Hay, Duke Of Hazzard hit a hat-trick last summer with wins at the July Festival, Glorious Goodwood and at the Sussex venue in August.
Each was a black type race and, having won the Group 2 Celebration Mile, he is proven at this level. Prior to that string of successes, Duke Of Hazzard was fifth in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot last year.
He was just a neck behind the re-opposing Urban Icon. Marie’s Diamond was a further 3 1/4 lengths behind in eighth. As he’s by Lope De Vega, Duke Of Hazzard should shape better than his reappearance here.
Only 13th in the Queen Anne, he shaped as if needing the run after 297 days off. While a case can be made for most in the Summer Mile, Duke Of Hazzard looks a solid each-way bet as he is second top on ratings.
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