Give Guard One More Chance At Ascot

One of the occupational hazards of tipping up horses at big prices is the fact that they may just be out for a run. I think that was certainly the case with Jennifleur at Cork earlier this week. The 40s available the night before the race was well gone by post time and after opening at 16/1 she was sent off at 20s. She looked like she might place 3f out but Davis met traffic problems and eased off in the closing stages. She has ability and she could be one for handicaps.
 

Josephine Gordon looks a notable jockey booking.

I am taking a chance on one at a massive price at Ascot on Friday and I think Guard Of Honour looks worth chancing each way for George Baker in the staying 2 mile handicap. This son of Galileo hasn’t won for a long time, but he has run some crackers in defeat, including when beaten just 9L in the 2m 5f Queen Alexandra Stakes at the Royal meeting back in 2017.

His best run since came over 2 miles on good to firm ground at Goodwood three starts back when 4th, beaten nearly 9L off 87. Next time, back in the Queen Alexandra he blew the start completely and finished down the field. He was given a two month break after that effort and after a below par run on unsuitably soft ground in a French Claimer last time out he has been dropped to what looks a workable handicap mark of 81.

He races over what I think is near his optimum trip of 2 miles at Ascot on Friday and most importantly of all, he will get his favoured good ground. He hit peak form at this time of the year in 2015 and 2016 when running big races in valuable staying handicaps in Ireland, including a gallant effort at the Curragh (16f gd) when beaten less than a length off today’s mark in second. His career form figures on the flat over 15-16f on good ground or better read 32244.


By far his best run in the last two seasons came here in the Queen Alexandra and a repeat of that form would see him go very close here. He ran to an RPR rating of 88 in that 2 mile contest at Goodwood off 87 in June and that proved that some ability remained. The booking of Josephine Gordon catches the eye too, as she has a win and a second from just two rides for George Baker.

Baker has not had a winner in the past fortnight but that doesn’t tell the full story. He has had a host of horses run well and from his last 10 runners, 6 have reached the money. Baker has had just 5 winners so far this season, a poor return by his standards, so perhaps there was an issue in the yard. If there was, it looks like his horses are starting to turn the corner now and at odds of 33/1 I think Guard Of Honour could go well for each way players.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: 4.10 ASCOT-GUARD OF HONOUR  E/W @ 33/1 4 PLACES