Saturday 30th June 2018

It’s been a quite week and perhaps the calm after the storm since Royal Ascot. One things for sure, it’s hot. I dare say hose pipe bans aren’t far away!

The World Cup has made some decent viewing, surely everybody knows it’s going to be a Croatia V Belgium final. Priced at 25-1, you heard it hear first. Croatia have been the outstanding team in my opinion. They have the best midfield and look solid at the back. I’m not sure how their a bigger price than England. Odds have come down over the past week but 12-1 still looks good value.

The racing from Newcastle takes centre stage this afternoon. It’s Northumberland Plate day.

Far from an original selection but I can’t get away from Withhold priced at 9-2 EW. The way he won the highly competitive Cesarewitch still sticks in the mind, horses shouldn’t win races like that in the style he did.

Roger Charlton has purposely kept him fresh for this. Withhold also needs to go very close to get a run in his long-term target, The Melbourne Cup. With luck in running, I expect Withhold to take the beating. He’s a possible Group horse.

The consolation race for horses that missed out on a run in the Plate takes place at 1:30.

I liked Dannyday at Ascot, but he didn’t quite get home over 2m4. I think he’ll run well for Sir Michael Stoute. At a big price, Sam Missile 20-1 EW could give you good run for your money.

Sam Missile wasn’t given a chance at Ascot, held up at the rear of the field and given plenty to do. He came home with a wet sail whilst was hampered a good few times in the process. If Dougie Costello rides him handier, Sam Missile could out run his large odds.

Nothing really stands at other meetings, so I’ve bid to have a go at the two main races of the day for what it’s worth.