Billyjoh to strike at Ascot

Billyjoh has shown some progressive form in handicaps over the winter on the all-weather and has carried that through back on the turf this summer. He ran arguably his best race to date last time out when he finished 2nd over 7f here at Royal Ascot. Held up well off the pace he came with a strong run late on but the well-handicapped winner had flown by then, he did however finish infront of 24 rivals. Granted a strong early pace again today he can sit at the back of the field and provided not given too much to do, can come through with a late surge. Billyjoh rates a 4 star each way Pick.

Metal Merchant showed good form in some top handicaps last season and given a gelding operation over the winter has returned to action in great form. He won at Newbury first time out and backed that up with a good 2nd of 12 at the same track, both races over 1m. He then ran another fine race to finish 7th of 29 in the Hunt Cup here at Royal Ascot. It's best to ignore his last run at Sandown where he looked like he got bogged down in the ground over 1m. Now dropping back to 7f he may well improve further, and granted a strong pace to aim at, Metal Merchant could well finish off best of all. Metal Marchant rates a 4 star each way Pick.