Godolphin can star again on Saturday
Godolphin can star again on Saturday

Catching Pigeons: Gossip and tips from the gallops


It's the final day of Royal Ascot and Catching Pigeons returns to preview the pick of the weekend's action.

Roger Charlton can add to Harmonic Way's success 17 years ago and win the Wokingham Handicap with Projection at Royal Ascot on Saturday.

The Beckhampton trainer has enjoyed plenty of success in all the big sprints over the years, and looks to have one of the more unexposed talents among the big field chasing this prestigious prize. A smart, if somewhat unlucky performer in a handful of valuable three year old events last season, he was returning form a long absence when sixth on his comeback at Newmarket last month.

This race has been the target for Projection - he is owned by the Royal Ascot Racing Club - for many a long day, and he is given a narrow vote over last year's winner Outback Traveller.

Limato should just have the edge over Tasleet and Magical Memory in the Group One Diamond Jubilee Stakes. Henry Candy has had his trials and tribulations with Limato, but when at his best last season the gelding was the best sprinter around, and there seems no reason why he should not prove the dominant force again here.

The one question mark is his poor comeback run at Meydan back in the spring, but he has been given plenty of time to recover from that tortuous trip and he seems back in very good form.

Masar can give Charlie Appleby his second two-year-old success at the meeting in the Listed Chesham Stakes.

Appleby has produced a line of first time up juvenile wins so far this season, and Masar was one that carried plenty of stable confidence into his debut success at Goodwood.

Although the winning margin was narrow, he looks a youngster with a fine future and he has improved plenty for the run. The step up to seven furlongs will suit, and he should take plenty of beating in what looks an above-average renewal of this popular race.

Kidmenever can complete a quick double for Appleby in the Wolferton Handicap.

This should prove a very tough race to win with the well fancied Khairaat in opposition, but Kidmenever has been producing some very useful work with proven Group performers in his preparatory work.

He showed some useful form at Meydan in the opening few weeks of 2017 and looks capable of building on his good second to Viren's Army on his latest start in February. Despite that lay-off, he should be fit enough to do himself justice.

Qewy can complete a great end to what has been a successful meeting for Appleby and Godolphin with a big run in the Queen Alexandra Stakes.

It would be no exaggeration to say that this seven-year-old is one of the most versatile performers around.

A smart performer over hurdles and a close third to a subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner over fences, he returned to the Flat last season to finish second in the Ascot Stakes here before travelling to Australia, winning two handicaps and beating a former winner at this meeting in the process.

All ground conditions seem to come the same to him and he will have the stamina to see the two mile and five and a half furlongs out, even though he makes a belated start to the campaign.

Newmarket's seven-race card may not be able to hold a candle to Ascot in terms of quality but the opening Royal Ascot Betting At 188bet EBF Stallions Novice Stakes looks a nice opportunity for John Gosden's newcomer Main Street.

His dam was a Group Two winner at two in America and has been showing up well his work.

Lyric Harmony looks a filly to follow after opening her account in a Thirsk maiden.

She enjoyed the step up to a mile there and looks feasibly treated on her first handicap start.

Fran Berry takes the ride for the first time and he could be in for a decent day with the Queen's Merlin also fancied to go in again.

He's out to complete a hat-trick in the Live Casino At 188Bet Handicap and hasn't been hit too hard by the assessor for a narrow win at Haydock.

It's 'Flat Cap and Whippet' family day at Pontefract on Sunday and while Sir Michael Stoute is unlikely to be in West Yorkshire partaking in the fun, he'll be expecting to get on the board.

Cheveley Park's Procedure is a lovely prospect and she could be sharp enough to win over six furlongs in the Bet toteplacepot EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes from a good looking draw in five.

Abingdon sets the standard on her return to action in the Totepool Pontefract Castle Fillies' Stakes.

She won at this level at York and Newbury last season and doesn't have any penalties to contend with.


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