CONDUIT CAN DO IT AT ASCOT

WHAT a hectic week of racing ahead with racing festivals starting at Galway on Monday and Goodwood on Tuesday. But before all that we will have a look at the weekend action and see if we can get a few quid in the coffers.
KING GEORGE & QUEEN ELIZABETH STAKES
We start off with the big race of the weekend, the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (4.25 Ascot) on Saturday, and trainer Michael Stoute seems to hold all the aces in this one with three entries who all hold a chance, and in fact internet firm Skybet have priced a Stoute 1-2-3 in the race as low as 14/1.
CONDUIT looks the best of the three after his third in the Coral-Eclipse behind Sea the Stars and Rip Van Winkle, and the 2/1 midweek price looks a solid choice with the Ralph Beckett-trained LOOK HERE a solid each-way and forecast bet at 8s.
Sean Graham bet: Conduit 2, Tartan Bearer 4, Golden Sword 11/2, Look Here 7, Ask 12, Frozen Fire 14, Cima De Triomphe 16, Alwaary 20, Scintillo 50, Freemantle 66, Rockhampton 200.
Abu Dhabi International Heritage Handicap
On the same card and 30 minutes earlier we have the competitive Abu Dhabi International Heritage Handicap which is run over seven furlongs.
The William Haggas-trained Roaring Forte ticks all the right boxes in this one and should be thereabouts with the Mark Johnstone-trained CRACKDOWN the each-way bet in the race and as big as 14/1 in places.
Sean Graham bet: Captain Brilliance 6, Roaring Forte 8, Secret Society 10, Fareer 11, Crackdown 14, Redford 14, Giganticus 16, Racer Forever 16, Al Khaleej 20, Axiom 20, Genki 20, others on request.
Sky Bet York Stakes
Over at York we have the Skybet Stakes (3.10) and a high-class field going to post for this one with the Goldophin-trained KIRKLESS leading the midweek marker for this one.
He was an easy winner in the Helical Bar Gala Stakes at Sandown last time, trotting up, and will take some stopping on Saturday, with the main danger coming from the Walter Swinburn-trained Stotsford who usually does his winning at this time of year.
Sean Graham bet: Kirklees 3, Perfect Stride 5, Stotsfold 6, Tazeez 7, Curtain Call 8, Monitor Closely 9, High Heeled 10, Court Cannibal 12, Tranquil Tiger 12, Firebet 14, Traffic Guard 14, Trincot 14, Allied Powers 16, Jukebox Jury 16, Muhannak 16, Wasan 16 – others on request.
GALWAY PLATE/SUSSEX STAKES
Fingers crossed that we will be up a few quid after the weekend to launch our assault on the Galway/Goodwood festivals and we like the look of the Willie Mullins-trained Deutschland (9/1) who looks to have an outstanding chance in Wednesday’s Plate. He has been kept fit with two flat wins and looked most impressive at Punchestown in May when he hammered Holly Tree. The outside bet has to be the Charlie Swan-trained Oodachee who – like Deutschland – has been running on the flat to keep fit and he is our each-way selection at 20/1.
Over at Glorious Goodwood on Wednesday and we have the Sussex Stakes, and what a race in store with Coronation Stakes and 1000 Guineas winner Ghanaati taking on Eclipse runner-up RIP VAN WINKLE. A pulsating race is forecast and we think that Rip will come out on top in this one – but only just.
Stay tuned here next wee for daily tips, market movers, craic and free bets all off next week.

Betting News..

Local punter Tom Lavery was left fuming at the weekend after a run-in with Ladbrokes over the loyalty card scheme they brought in a few months back.
The gist of the card scheme is that for every pound you bet you get a point, and what do points make? Prizes. In this instance, for 500 points you get a free £5 bet, for 1000 a £10 bet and for 2000 a £20 bet.
Tom had gathered up a hefty 2000 points over the course of the last few months – that meant he had spent a whopping £2,000 just to gain his free £20 bet.
He placed 2 x £5 win singles and a £10 double at the weekend. One horse was second and the other won at 11/4 – he thought he had £13.75 in the bank, this after taking the free bet stake off.
He went in to collect his small windfall but was told by the settler that there was nothing off the docket as the free bet is just for one win only bet – i.e. a £20 double, treble or whatever is just one bet.
Tom fumed, thinking that when he placed the free bet surely the staff would have known the rules on these free bets, so why was it not classed a void bet?
So Tom rang the customer hotline and rightly complained as it was the principle of the whole thing – not the money.
Ladbrokes rang Tom back and told him they would pay him out on the single as a gesture, which Tom was happy to accept but he brought it to our attention in case there are punters out there who aren’t fully aware what the free bet entails. You have been warned.
William Hill have opened a book on which of Manchester City's eight strikers will be called on to start the first Premier League game against Blackburn, and Hills expect City to start with three playing up front.
South American pairing Robinho and Carlos Tevez are both 1/3 to start, with new signing Emmanuel Adebayor 1/2 to start.
Welsh striker Craig Bellamy (3/1) and Roque Santa Cruz (13/8) could well find themselves down the pecking order on the first Saturday but for me the 13/8 against Santa Cruz starting against his former team looks a great bet.
Which striker will start first Premiership Match?
Robinho: 1/3 Yes, 9/4 No
Tevez: 1/3 Yes, 9/4 No
Adebayor: 1/2 Yes, 6/4 No
Santa Cruz: 13/8 Yes, 4/9 No
Bellamy: 3/1 Yes, 2/9 No
Bojinov: 14/1 Yes, 1/66 No
Caeceido: 16/1 Yes, 1/100 No
Benjani: 25/1 Yes, 1/200 No
Last two Nags unplaced so hopefully LAST THREE MINUTES can give us a run for our money today