In today’s Daily Double, we fancy a ‘nearly’ horse to step up to the plate at Royal Ascot and think the cheating French will get their comeuppance.
After almost a week of dull and lifeless encounters in the ‘greatest show on earth’, the World Cup was finally lit up yesterday thanks to Uruguay and Chile daring to try and play something resembling attacking football and Switzerland providing the shock of the tournament so far.
It was Spain who suffered at the hands of the underdog yesterday and we reckon their Gallic neighbours to the north could be in for an unpleasant surprise when they come up against Mexico in this evening’s Group A fixture. France were woeful against Uruguay in their first game while if Mexico were that bit more clinical, they would have wiped the floor with hosts South Africa in the World Cup opener.
We reckon that Mexico, to the delight of football fans around the country, can do the business against the French tonight and we’re backing them for the win at 13/5.
At Royal Ascot, there’s no Yeats, but nevertheless a vintage renewal of the Gold Cup at 3.50.
Kasbah Bliss has been a “nearly” horse at the highest level, both in the Stayers’ hurdle at Cheltenham and also in many Group 1 races on the level.
At the age of 8, it’s asking a lot to defeat these young, up and coming horses. However his third in the Hong Kong vase last December confirms that he is a horse of the highest class, and that he can hold his own with any of today’s opponents.
He has shaped up well in his two outings this season, both of which were races run at a snail’s pace and did not suit him.
Two and half miles at a decent pace today will be ideal for Francois Doumen’s gelding. He can pounce late with his killer turn of foot and finally obtain his day in the sun.
JOE’s Daily Double: Mexico to beat France (13/5) and Kasbah Bliss (Royal Ascot, 3.50 @ 13/2)
JOE’s horse-racing tips are provided by Ray Flanagan
