The best bet for the horse racing this weekend - Sunday 16th June

We have no less than seven meetings on Saturday here in the UK but there is not a single race at Group level; it is not that surprising I suppose when you think we have Royal Ascot next week.

The 5f Listed Scurry Stakes at 2.05 is the feature and first of Sandown's afternoon card. Two were on my mind for this at the start of the week but as it turns out neither will run. Up the M1 York stages the 1m6f Listed Grand Cup Stakes at 3.00 and Weekender from the yard of John Gosden caught my eye on Monday going through the 5-day declarations; he doesn’t run either!  

Long story short the rest is best left alone I think, keep your powder dry for Ascot.

It’s the Group One 1m2½f Prix de Diane Longines (French Oaks) across the Channel at Chantilly on Sunday and here we can have a bet. With Hermosa and Castle Lady aimed at Ascot this now looks at the mercy of Siyarafina.  The Aga Khan-owned filly is unbeaten in three including when taking the G.1 Prix Saint Alary over 1m2f at Longchamp in May. Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre said after that run "She won but I was perhaps hoping for a little bit more. It was the first time she has tried the trip and it is four weeks since she ran, so perhaps she was a little short of condition. She showed she stays but if I'm being very critical she was perhaps a tiny bit less fluid in her movement. This race might well bring her on in terms of condition for three weeks' time." I have taken a bit of 6-4 NRNB on Thursday lunchtime.
Be lucky