The Wokingham is another fiercely competitive handicap sprint that will see 28 runners line-up. Currently heading the betting is the Sir Michael Stoute-trained
Duke Of Firenze, (6/1) a horse that flew home like a very good horse in the Dash at Epsom on Derby day having endured a highly troubled passage through the race, and he rightfully deserves his position at the markets summit at present. Hell carry a five pound penalty for that win though and he had disappointed slightly on his previous start so although he looks to have the class to maybe go further than handicapping in time at a relatively short price he is worth opposing.
Rex Imperator (10/1) was progressive at three for Roger Charlton but having sort of lost his way a little he is now in the care of William Haggas. He looked back to more like his best last time out travelling well off a big weight in a handicap at Doncaster. Another ex-Charlton inmate is
Zero Money (33/1) and he too is one that looked promising at one point before struggling for form, hes now with Hugo Palmer and ran well for a long way last time out before fading, that was off a 273 day lay-off and he should be fitter for that and could be interesting at a bigger price. The one that I like in here though is
Shropshire (20/1), a horse that has good bits of form here and there (including running third in Frankels Greenham). Hes been running well in defeat this season, has won on his only previous trip to Ascot and granted a bit of luck in running which has deserted him recently could go close for Charlie Hills. Others to consider are
Hitchens (16/1), a proven performer at Group level that has run well from under a big weight before,
Nocturn (10/1), who landed the same Newmarket handicap Zero Money ran in last time out and remains consistent, though he too like the favourite will have to defy a penalty here. Dennis Coakleys
Gabriels Lad (10/1) is another that can go well looking well handicapped having been sparingly campaigned but still racking up some good bits of form. I wouldnt completely rule out
Bapak Chinta (40/1) either at a huge price, he won the Norfolk Stakes here in 2011, was thought good enough to be a Group horse at one time (contested the Kings Stand here last year) and although nowhere near that level of late is still really lightly raced and has now dropped down a good mark.
Selection: Shropshire each-way @ 20/1