Thanks to those members of VG Tips who took time out to contact me with their compliments regarding 20/1 winner Afaak and 10/1 winner Souther Hills at Royal Ascot on Wednesday.

Afaak had been runner up in the same race last year and, after what happened on day one with Lord Glitters, I was keen to back those horses who came close to winning a particular race twelve months ago.

There was plenty of each way placed profit as 33/1 shot Vale of Kent and 8/1 Raising Sand finished in the first 7. That's why . . .

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Wednesday at Royal Ascot is only part way over as I send out Thursday's deep analysis and selections.

We have so far seen Frankie Dettori win a rain drenched opening race on the 18/1 winner called Raffle Prize. Kimari was just beaten into second. It is worth noting that bookies reacted to that race by dramatically cutting the odds on a horse in the Albany Stakes at 2.30 on Friday.

Before Raffle Prize won the first race on Wednesday, you could get a double figure prize about Daahyeh winning the Albany on Friday. But I've just . . .

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Last year, in the first race at Royal Ascot, I backed Lord Glitters to win the Queen Anne Stakes. He was beaten half a length into second by Accidental Agent. Fast forward to this year and Accidental Agent refuses to come out of the stalls. Lord Glitters, mentioned by me as a potential value each way bet in my write up 24 hours ago, but regrettably not tipped this year, wins the race at odds of 14/1. I was spitting feathers.

As happy for connections of the beautiful Lord Glitters as I was; I began the racing day kicking . . .

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Many parts of England have been on the receiving end of a deluge of rain. Race meetings have been called off and further rain is forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, before conditions should dry up at Ascot come Thursday.

Ascot installed better drainage a while ago so the ground conditions there on day one may not be as soft under hoof as might have been expected considering how much rain fell there at the end of last week. The word 'Good' may appear in the official going come the start of racing on Tuesday, although rain from Noon onwards may . . .

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Jockey Silvestere De Sousa delivered me some decent returns on Friday.

He rode my 5/2 win NAP to victory at York having earlier returned each way profit when 12/1 each way NAP, Right Action, finished in the frame. In addition to single bets, I placed those two in an each way double.

While Ouzo also won for us on Friday, that was an odds on winner and, personally speaking, I’m always happier with each way placed returns at a double figure price than backing an odds on winner.

All punters have personal preferences. I know of people . . .

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It’s raining, it’s pouring...

or so everyone in England has been saying for days on end. No such problem when I was in Glasgow the last few days. It was sun kissed.

But if Haydock Park call off a race meeting, you know it must be bad. Thursday’s meeting at a racecourse that is a bog more often than not was abandoned. So it must be wet, wet, wet.

Plenty of non runners at Newbury on Friday. The same may apply elsewhere on Friday.

Here’s hoping it dries out for Royal Ascot, which begins next Tuesday . . .

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A potential rail strike threatens to disrupt Royal Ascot next week. Or rather the ability of racegoers to make it to the racecourse. Let's hope that discussions between employers and unions next Monday prevent such industrial action.

For those unable to attend in person ITV Racing will be broadcasting free-to-air the five days of Royal Ascot. Regrettably, in an attempt to gain viewers who are not interested in racing, too much airtime will be spent talking tosh about fashion. Royal Ascot will be awash with people dressed in often elegant style. Other will not look so good . . .

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While Thursday was largely a disappointing day for me, Maamora - a 9/4 winning tip for Ripon - was very impressive and is one to look out for again in the future.

The filly was well backed on the day prior to winning a modest race by 6 lengths. She is sure to be stepped up in grade next time out.

The rain has been pouring in the North West of England so I think it fair to assume that we must look for horses with proven form when running on racetracks that have all the appearance of a bog.

Saturday . . .

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