The height of horse racing in the summer is upon us as five outstanding days of top class action begins on Tuesday when the Royal Ascot meeting gets underway. As ever it begins with some big races including an eagerly anticipated match up in the standout race on the card – the Kings Stand Stakes. The undercard to that is tasty too so we’ve gone through the whole day and picked out the best bets.
2.30 Ascot: Queen Anne Stakes
Preview
A sub standard Queen Anne & a race where I want to take on the favourite, Rhododendron. She won a poor Lockinge & had many of today’s rivals in behind, including Lighting Spear, Deauville & Limato. In fact, there’s only 3 that didn’t contest the Lockinge featuring at less than 20/1.
Yoshida, the US contender, could be anything & I’m a little worried by him but there’s not enough to recommend him. Recoletos is unbeaten this season & rates a danger but I’m not sure a straight mile will suit so I’m siding with Benbatl.
Betting
His yard has won this on many occasions but not for 10 years, yet I think this year will bring back the good old days. The highest rated in the field, he steps back in trip but the stiff track will play to his strengths. He won here 12 months ago, albeit over 2 furlongs further & he also hacked up in the Dubai Turf Group 1 last time out. Without doubt, he has the best form to his name & is the highest rated in the field; provided there’s a decent pace on which is likely, I’m not sure there’s a better option here.
Tips
Back Benbatl (e/w) for a 2/10 stake at 5.50 Paddy Power BOG (⅕ odds 1-4)
3.05 Ascot: Coventry Stakes
Preview
A straight fight between Calyx & Sergei Profokiev? Maybe, but I can’t be backing at their current odds.
Betting
Therefore, I’m throwing a couple of darts at a pair of unbeaten colts, drawn on either side of the track to negative any draw concerns. Advertise came from last to first at Newbury recording a RPR of 88 in the process & his trainer can’t speak highly enough of him. He loved the fast ground that day & I’m expecting another big run from stall 1.
Irish raider, Indigo Balance, is the 2nd selection from stall 19. He could be anything & won a decent race at the Curragh on his only start with the runner up having won since. A shrewd yard & a horse that recorded a RPR of 89 on his only start, he’s one that cannot be ignored.
Tips
PLACED – Back Advertise (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 15.00 Bet365 BOG (¼ odds 1-4)
Back Indigo Balance (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 15.00 Bet365 BOG (¼ odds 1-4)
3.40 Ascot: Kings Stand Stakes
Battash or Lady Aurelia, that’s the question. I’m a big fan of the American raider and, at the prices, this is a race to leave well alone from a betting perspective.
4.20 Ascot: St James Palace Stakes
Preview
Just 10 runners for the St James Palace & this is a most intriguing race. The favourite, Without Parole, is a an unbeaten colt that wasn’t all that impressive in listed company last time out but, honestly, could be a superstar whilst 2nd favourite, Tip Top Win, was 2nd behind Saxon Warrior in the 2000 Guineas but went off at 50/1 & doesn’t look the most obvious to back up that form. Romanised won the Irish 2000 but that was a shock whilst US Navy Flag & Gustav Klimt are the 2 O’Brien runners, both of which have slight stamina doubts.
Betting
This leads us to the French raider, Wootton. Only 4 career runs to date, he won his first 3 including a Group 3. Last time out, he was 4th in the French 2000 Guineas but had no luck in running. There was no pace & he pulled hard but still ran well in 4th. I’m expecting this to be run at a stronger pace & I think the stiff track may suit. With Barzalona taking the ride & question marks over his rivals, he looks a great each way, being the one with the most natural speed.
Tips
PLACED – Back Wootton (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 8.00 Bet365 BOG (¼ odds 1-3)
4.55 Ascot: Ascot Stakes Handicap
Such a tough race to get involved in. Willie Mullins holds a strong hand & the question is which one of his many challengers holds the best chance. A race to watch rather than bet in.
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5.30 Ascot: Wolferton Stakes
Preview
I’m going in early to say that the draw plays a part here & a single figure stall is a must. 3 of the leading 4 in the market have a double figure draw whilst the favourite is drawn in 1 & likes to be held up which is a concern.
Betting
The one I want to have on side is Monarchs Glen. He looked very impressive at the end of last season, winning twice when seeing off What About Carlo in a Listed race & Robin Of Navan in a Group 3. His yard think very highly of him, so much so he ran in that Benbatl Group 1 where he ran no sort of race but raced widest of all. He’s down to a Listed event here &, provided he doesn’t show his quirks that can so often appear, he holds a great chance at the current odds. A draw in stall 6 is a positive too.
Tips
WON – Back Monarchs Glen (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 13.00 Ladbrokes BOG (⅕ odds 1-4)
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