With some bookmakers paying four places, James Garfield looks decent value and an each-way play at 16/1 in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot today (5.35).
George Scott’s colt was a smart juvenile, with his second success coming in the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes over 7f at Newbury where he ran on strongly to beat Invincible Army by 3/4 of a length.
James Garfield also ran well when seventh of 13 in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Jvuenile Turf and showed that he had trained on when landing the Group 3 Greenham Stakes over 7f at Newbury by 3/4 of a length from Expert Eye.
He also wasn’t disgraced when seventh of 14 to Saxon Warrior in the Group 1 2000 Guineas or when fourth last time out over 6f at Haydock when doing his best work at the finish against some real speedy types.
James Garfield is a real 7f specialist so the return to that trip is a massive plus.
He does have to shoulder a Group penalty and give weight to all his rivals but has some really solid form in the book and always gives his all.
I was also tempted to put up Expert Eye as well given Sir Michael Stoutes record in the race but he still has something to prove and at the odds on offer the more solid and dependbale James Garfield gets the verdict.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts each-way James Garfield (16/1 BetVictor, Coral, William Hill – BOG)
