Ed Quigley: Weekend Watch - Saturday 23rd July

Ed is back this weekend with three selections at Ascot and one on Sunday at Uttoxeter

I’m looking forward to Ascot, and to seeing ZANBAQ (2.25) who is a progressive sort, and ran a cracker in defeat at the Royal meeting, when runner-up in the Sandringham. She had to make up a lot of ground from the rear of the field, finding only one too good, despite being hampered in the closing stages. She’s unexposed and looks capable of taking this contest. Jim Crowley takes the ride on the three-year-old who represents the in-form Roger Varian stable.

Ed Quigley Weekend Watch Tips

2:25pm Ascot - Zanbaq

The unexposed Zanbaq kicks things off on Saturday for Ed

At 2/1 a £10 bet would return £20

2:25pm Ascot

July 23, 2022

2:25 pm BST

Continuing at the Berkshire venue, and the following race is a 22-runner Handicap over the 7f, where I think FRESH has major claims. He got absolutely no luck at all in a red-hot renewal of the Wokingham last month at Royal Ascot, where he had a clear route blocked on more than one occasion. The race was also dominated by those drawn high, so in the circumstances, Fresh coming from stall 7 to be an unlucky ninth was an effort that can be upgraded. Back up to 7f, I think the James Fanshawe representative is hard to boot out of the frame from an each-way perspective.

Ed Quigley Weekend Watch Tips

3:00pm Ascot

Back up to 7f, Fresh looks capable of a big run

At 9/1 a £10 bet would return £100

3:00pm Ascot

July 23, 2022

3:00 pm BST

In the big one at 3.35, I think WESTOVER takes all the beating. The Ralph Beckett charge pulverised the field in the Irish Derby, making up to some extent for the interference he suffered at Epsom when he was denied a clear run at a crucial stage, and jockey Rob Hornby felt he would have won without any in-running trouble. His performance at The Curragh was fantastic and a replication of that run could prove too much for his rivals. On the line through Tuesday at the Curragh he holds Emily Upjohn, and I am not convinced Mishriff is at his best over 12f. Arc winner Torquator Tasso would be of real interest if the rains arrive, but that looks unlikely. Broome and Pyledriver make up the sextet, and this should be a corker.

Ed Quigley Weekend Watch Tips

3:35pm Ascot - Westover

Irish Derby winner the big fancy for Ed in Saturday's feature race

At 6/4 a £10 bet would return £25

3:35pm Ascot

July 23, 2022

3:35 pm BST

Over to Sunday, and Uttoxeter, and if the ground dries up, I really think WBEE will go well in the Handicap Hurdle over the extended 2m7f (3.40). The seven-year-old has won six of his last seven races, with his only defeat coming on unsuitably rain-softened ground at Haydock on his penultimate start. He won at Cheltenham’s April meeting with Sean Bowen in the saddle, and he is back on board the Gary Hanmer charge on this occasion. Providing he has a sound surface, he could still be improving, and a mark of 135 may still underestimate him.

Ed Quigley Weekend Watch Tips

3:40pm Uttoxeter (Sunday)

Winner of six of his last seven, there could still be more to come from this horse

At 5/2 a £10 bet would return £35

3:40pm Uttoxeter (Sunday)

July 24, 2022

3:40 pm BST

Advice:

Zanbaq, 1pt win, 2.25 Ascot Saturday

Fresh, 1pt e/w 3.00 Ascot Saturday

Westover, 2pts win 3.35 Ascot Saturday

Wbee, 1pt win, 3.40 Uttoxeter Sunday