Something not to be missed at 20-1

One of the highlights of the five-day Royal Ascot meeting is the blink-and-you'll-miss-it dash that is the Wokingham Stakes, in which up to 30 equine speedballs career across blades of Berkshire grass, covering six furlongs in little over a minute of high-octane action. Despite the competitive nature of this heritage handicap, punters haven't had too much of a raw deal in recent years, with well-backed jollies Lafi and Iffraaj obliging in 2004 and '05 respectively, while Baltic King was not without his fair share of supporters when coming home a 10/1 winner last year. This term, antepost punters will no doubt be pinning their hopes on the duo that spearhead the market at the time of writing, Hogmaneigh and Zidane, both of whom are progressive geldings. But I wouldn't be rushing to take odds of around 9/1 about either of them given that there are plenty of ifs and buts lingering over them. Hogmaneigh is a fast finisher who has won his last two starts at the minimum trip, but is equally effective at six-furlongs. However, all his best form has come on an easy surface so the prospect of a quick surface on June 23 has to be a concern. Meanwhile, for all that Zidane was impressive over the Wokingham course and distance last time out, he is going to need to take another huge step forward to win this off an 11lb higher mark, plus while he has form on top of the ground, he too appears to be at his best when there's a bit of juice underfoot. The presence of Hogmaneigh and Zidane is a good thing, because their dominance at the summit of the betting means that there are some choice prices on offer about others with strong claims. Consequently, I am going to take two against the field, Something, a 20/1 chance with Blue Square, and Dark Missile, who can be supported at 25/1 with Betfred. The former was a big improver in the spring last year, winning twice in good style at Lingfield before finding the combination of a step up to a mile and Group 2 class too much of an ask when sixth to Rob Roy at Sandown. In just one run subsequent to that outing, Terry Mills' charge ran better than his finishing positions suggests at Newmarket. The five-year-old has clearly had his fair share of training problems, but he ran an absolute stormer when beaten just over a half a length into third in the Listed contest won by Assertive at Windsor on June 4. Facing race-fit rivals on his first start for 394 days, the son of Trans Island covered himself in glory.If we are to take that form literally there is good reason to suspect that Something has improved during the winter given that he finished just a short head adrift of the second placed Borderlescott, who is rated 7lb superior on BHB ratings. Fast ground and a strongly-run six furlongs is clearly his cup of tea, and I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised if he were to go off nearer to the 10/1 mark than his current price of 20s, so punters are advised to get on. Andrew Balding's runners have generally been in good form since the curtain raised on the 2007 turf season. The Kingsclere handler's charges usually come on enormously for their seasonal reappearances, so there's plenty to be optimistic about with regard to the chances of Dark Missile. The Night Shift filly made an eyecatching comeback effort at Newmarket's Guineas meeting when a creditable fourth to Beaver Patrol in a highly competitive 29-runner event. Beaten just over a length, Dark Missile was second of those that raced on the stands' side in an effort which strongly suggested she'll be a force to be reckoned with next time out. The likes of Burning Incense, Intrepid Jack, Knot In Wood and Indian Trail are all likely to be thereabouts if on song, while the 'dark horse', Zidane's stablemate Cape, is one to monitor closely in the run up to the race. Last year's winner Baltic King and Mutamared merit respect, but both are likely to find at least one or two too good off their current respective marks. Verdict - 1pt e/w Something, 1/4 odds places 1,2,3,4 @ 20/1 (Blue Square)0.50pts e/w Dark Missile, 1/4 odds places 1,2,3,4 @ 25/1 (Betfred)