Our top gossip column is back with the best bets for the final day of Royal Ascot including Hey Jonesy in the Wokingham.
Lah Ti Dar should bounce back to form in the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes on Saturday. One of the leading middle-distance fillies of last season, she was made favourite for the Investec Coronation Cup at Epsom 22 days ago on the back of a bright start to the campaign at the York May meeting. However she never looked happy on the course and finished a well beaten sixth. This return to a more conventional course will suit and she has worked very well since.
Hey Jonesy looks worth an each-way interest in the Wokingham Stakes. Kevin Ryan's four-year-old is making his first appearance in a handicap after some useful performances in pattern events, including a couple of respectable efforts this term. The ground should suit him better than in the Duke Of York on his latest start, and a fast-run competitive handicap may be just what he needs to bring out the best in him. Expect a big run also from joint top-weight Vanbrugh.
Cleonte has a touch of class and can put a disappointing run in the Chester Cup behind him in the Queen Alexandra Stakes. Ground conditions were very testing on the Roodee and Silvestre De Sousa found himself in a tough position on the fence after his mount was slow to get into his stride. He has previously run a blinder to finish third in the Sagaro Stakes here on his comeback and a repeat of that effort will make him tough to beat here.
Away from the main action at Ascot, Blue Mist should step up on his promising comeback in last month's Victoria Cup and win the Jw Grant Builders Merchants Handicap at Ayr. Roger Charlton had hoped to get the four-year-old ready for the Lincoln back in March but he was slow to come to hand and connections abandoned the plan. He was never really seen with a chance at the Berkshire course but he did run on nicely in the closing stages and will be much sharper here.
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