Newmarket-based Robert Cowell is known as the ‘sprint king’ for a reason: for many years he has been a masterful trainer of horses that race over the minimum trips of five furlongs and six furlongs.
It was telling that in an interview for his Racing Post Weekender stable tour last week, he indicated he would rather train another winner of the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot – now the King Charles III Stakes – than the Epsom Derby. The King’s Stand is a race that he won in 2011 with Prohibit but it’s probably fair to say that every other trainer in the country would much prefer a Derby winner on their CV.
I have a feeling that JAKAJARO could just be Cowell’s next top-class sprinter, judged on the way he defeated a decent field of handicappers at York with some ease just eight days ago – despite the fact that he was dawn on the unfavourable far side of the track. Cowell clearly has a high opinion of this improving sprinter because he has given him an entry in the Grade 1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot next month.
Tomorrow Jakajaro faces some proven Group 1 performers in Haydock’s Grade 2 William Hill Temple Stakes (3.30 p.m.) over five furlongs. This horse reminds me of Jim Goldie’s American Affair who started in handicap company early last season, including winning the same race as Jakajaro did at York this month, before doing this column a favour by winning the King Charles III Stakes.
Back Jakajaro one point each way at 10-1 with both Paddy Power and Sky Bet, both paying four places. In fact, American Affair is in opposition to Jakajaro tomorrow and not without a chance in a competitive contest.
I would have put up Jakajaro at 40-1 for the King Charles III Stakes next month too but for the fact that Cowell says his charge is best with cut in the ground. Royal Ascot in June often has ‘good to firm’ terrain which means the horse might not run – always an unwelcome outcome for an ante-post wager.
The Stuart Williams-trained KING OF LIGHT is another in-form sprinter and he ran well in his seasonal debut last time out when second at Goodwood to another Robert Cowell speedball, Lexington Blitz.
Despite that fine run, King of Light’s official rating of 91 remains unchanged meaning he looks well handicapped in tomorrow’s William Hill Epic Boost Handicap at York (2.40 p.m).Back the four-year-old gelding one point each way at 17-2 with bet365, paying five places.
I am also sweet this weekend on the chances of Ed Walker’s ALMAQAM, but with the proviso that he is another horse who is ground dependent and ideally wants ‘soft’ in the going description. The ground at the time of writing at the Curragh was ‘good to yielding’ but, with drying weather between now and the off. The terrain for Sunday’s Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup (3.55 p.m.) could just become too quick for Almadam to make his seasonal debut.
The suggestion therefore is one point each way Almaqam at Starting Price (SP) with the bookmaker offering most places, often Paddy Power or Sky Bet, in the hope there will be eight or more runners declared. Backing the horse SP means the stake will be returned if he does not line up on Sunday.
The entries, but not the weights, for the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot on June 17 were published last week and I was hoping one name would be there – and sure enough it was. Trainer James Owen’s ROGUE DIPLOMAT has been unlucky in two big runs this season – a close second in the William Hill Lincoln followed by a fifth in the Win Unique Experiences at OLBG Prizes Spring Cup at Newbury despite a troubled passage.
The straight mile at Ascot should be perfect for Rogue Diplomat but he is yet another horsethat I am putting up who would prefer to race on rain-softened ground. However, he does at least have winning form on ‘good to firm’ at Leicester last year.
As a hold-up horse, he will always need luck in running but at big prices I will take that chance. Back Rogue Diplomat one point each way for the Royal Hunt Cup with bet365, Paddy Power, Sky Bet or Unibet, all offering 25-1, four places.
Pending:
1 point each way King of LIght at 17-2 in the William Hill Epic Boost Handicap, paying 1/5th odds, 5 places.
1 point each way Jakajaro at 10-1 in the Temple Stakes, paying 1/5th odds, 4 places.
1 point each way Almaqam at SP in the Tattersalls Gold Cup with the bookmaker offering most places.
1 point each way Venetian Lace at 12-1 for the Oaks, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places.
1 point each way Rogue Diplomat at 25-1 for the Royal Hunt Cup, paying ¼ odds, 4 places.
1 point each way Rahiebb at 14-1 for the Ascot Gold Cup, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places.
Last weekend: + 1.5 points.
1 point each way More Thunder at 10-1 for the Lockinge Stakes, paying 1/4 odds, 3 places.2nd. + 1.5 points.
2026 flat season running total: – 14.2 points.
2025-26 jumps season: – 57.785 points
2025 flat season: + 84.12 points on all tips.
2024-5 jumps season: – 47.61 points on all tips.
2024 flat season: + 41.4 points on all tips.
2023-4 jumps season: + 42.01 points on all tips.
2023 flat season: – 48.22 points on all tips.
2022-3 jumps season: + 54.3 points on all tips.
Total for seven full seasons of tipping: + 68.215 points
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