Bastiman seeking Royal success
Robin Bastiman is hoping Borderlescott can give him his first Royal Ascot winner from his first runner when he contests the Wokingham Stakes tomorrow.
Borderlescott has already provided the 55-year-old with his two biggest successes to date in York handicaps, and the Wetherby trainer, who has just 15 horses in training, now has his sights set on the big six-furlong handicap.
“I would think that he has improved from York as he wasn’t fully wound up that day but he’s very laid back at home and he wouldn’t really let you know,” he said.
“I’m not too nervous – it’s just another day out really.
“I think basically I realised that he was a very decent tool when he won at Ripon last August when he picked up really well and beat them easily. Saying that the engine has always been there.
“Tomorrow I think he’ll be knocking about at the end and although I would prefer a lower draw than 19, he’s not giving lumps of weight away and I think that he is a good horse.
“He’s fine, everything’s all right. It’s just the draw. There’s been a bit of a bias there this week, but I’ll just leave it to the horse. He’ll know which way to go,” he said.
“If you’re drawn low you could get boxed in so we could be all right.
“All the fancied horses are drawn around each other. He goes on any ground and we’ll see how good he is tomorrow.
“He’ll run a good race although it is a bit of a lottery in some respects but it’s still a straight six furlongs and if you’re good enough, you’ll win.
“He’s won on good to firm and good horses go on any ground.”
Thirsk trainer David Nicholls sent out Lafi to win this prize two years ago and he is going all out to emulate that feat with a team of seven - half-brothers Fire Up The Band and Strike Up The Band, Just James, Merlin’s Dancer, Bahamian Pirate, Peace Offering and Indian Trail.
Peace Offering is ridden by Richard Hughes, who said: “I’ve won it before on Harmonic Way six years ago and it’s great to get a ride on one of the low numbers (five).
“They have had a big advantage this week and Peace Offering is in form with the right sort of weight (8st 13lb).”
One Putra, who heads a maximum field of 28, has to carry top weight of 9st 11lb, including a 5lb penalty for his latest success at Windsor.
His trainer Michael Jarvis bids to win the six-furlong heritage handicap for the second successive year after Iffraaj in 2005.
Firenze, trained by James Fanshawe, who is enjoying such a good meeting, picked up the same penalty for her comfortable success at Goodwood earlier this month.
She has picked up a nice draw in stall one and as a result was cut to 7-1 by William Hill (from 12-1) and 8-1 (from 12-1) by Paddy Power.
Two other contestants to have picked up a 5lb burden for recent victories include Peter Makin’s Greenslades (drawn 14), successful at Newmarket, and the Rae Guest-trained Yomalo (drawn 4).
Wokingham Stakes betting:
Ladbrokes: 7-1 Firenze, 8-1 Intrepid Jack, 10-1 Indian Trail, 11-1 Mutamared, 12-1 Kostar, 14-1 Yomalo, One Putra, Baltic King, Borderlescott, Beaver Patrol, 16-1 Greenslades, 20-1 Bahiano, Peace Offering, 25-1 bar.
Totesport: 13-2 Firenze, 8-1 Intrepid Jack, 10-1 Indian Trail, 12-1 Yomalo, 14-1 Kostar, Mutamared, One Putra, 16-1 Baltic King, Beaver Patrol, Borderlescott, 18 Chookie Heiton, Greenslades, 20-1 Bahiano, Peace Offering, 22-1 Bahamian Pirate, Merlin’s Dancer, 28-1 Texas Gold, 33-1 bar.
