Zzoro, rated 84, has an obvious opportunity tonight of making it fourth time lucky in the 2-y-o Maiden Stakes over a mile of Wolverhampton Tapeta; drawn widest, trained by 'out of form' Charles Hills!
Apart from a somewhat fluky, surprise, success by Dancetrack, when racing wide on better stands-side ground at Haydock last weekend, Hills managed a disappointing total last month and very nearly landed on the dreaded 'cold list' again.
Ironically Hills 'inherited' Zzoro from veteran Clive Brittain, due to retire next month and himself a failure; serious punters had long given the 'old boy' a swerve and few have much time for the 37-year-old Lambourn trainer whose tally of 60 in eleven months is desperate.
Despite what you read in key publications the 'language' of 'professional-minded' punters is the only one worth heeding; as a serious bettor myself I've no desire whatsoever to back horses trained by Hills or Brittain. When they have winners you can afford to lose!
Both once-raced pair Invocation (Alan King) and Lord George (Fanshawe) shaped promisingly and were placed; likelihood is a deal of improvement but there are three places available for Zzoro and surely Dane O'Neill will steer this Manduro colt into one of them.
It will be fascinating, with jockeyship at a premium.
With no other juvenile races once-raced, Luca Cumani-trained Bess Of Hardwick is nominated for the Maiden Stakes over twelve furlongs; despite an absence Adam Kirby's mount is an obvious selection in a weak race, by process of elimination.
There isn't one two-year-old event on two cards for Ascot this weekend! Incidentally it's getting quite firm-ish at Longchamp and, significantly, Treve has eased in the betting for the 'Arc' these last few days...!
Hope Jack Hobbs runs.