Come rain or...hail...
Horse racing 
/ Editor / 18 June 2011 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market
...don't be surprised if David Wachman's Irish raider Bewitched and Andrew Balding's Dalghar become market springers in a wide open Group 1 in which only proven soft ground performers need apply.
Soft-ground form could be a must if the forecast is correct, and Graham Cunningham is donning his Gore-Tex topper to side with an Irish filly in the feature event.
Don't be the slightest bit surprised if the market for the Golden Jubilee Stakes at 15.45 is extremely volatile on Friday night and Saturday morning.
And don't be surprised if David Wachman's Irish raider Bewitched and Andrew Balding's Dalghar become market springers in a wide open Group 1 in which only proven soft-ground performers need apply.
That raises concerns for Delegator, whose chance could be hindered by yet more rain, while the Aussie raider Star Witness was edgy before his King's Stand second on Tuesday and is also worth opposing in a better race here.
Bated Breath is an up-and-comer in this division and will be very competitive if he handles conditions, but his record does raise a doubt on that score, and I'm heading into split stakes territory here with Bewitched and Dalghar.
There is no flash story with either of this pair, save that they both line up with very smart form - some of it produced here at Ascot - and high draws which could be an added plus.
Bewitched looked better than ever on her Leopardstown reappearance and has a potent turn of foot when produced late, while Dalghar finished behind Delegator at York, but travelled powerfully for a long way and looks primed to come right back to form under these more testing conditions.
Make no mistake, cracking the Wokingham at 16.25 will be tough.
However, it's hard to resist taking a swing in such an open market and Hoof It and Pastoral Player have headed my short-list for some while now.
Once again, there is nothing secret about siding with this pair, save to say they are sprinters on a roll with the potential to progress further on what they have shown thus far.
And what they have shown is plenty.
The powerful Hoof It quickened up smartly to land a hot York handicap a shade cosily last month, while Pastoral Player was equally impressive in forging clear at Newmarket on Guineas day. He also comes from a stable which has already enjoyed a memorable Ascot week.
Saturday selections
15.45: Back Dalghar and Bewitched at [12.0] and [6.4]
16.25: Back Hoof It and Pastoral Player at [8.0] and [12.5]
