The opening day of Royal Ascot is one which has been eagerly anticipated ever since the schedule for the behind closed doors return was confirmed. It takes place on Tuesday with two Group 1 races on the card – the Queen Anne Stakes and the King’s Stand Stakes, where the potential superstar Battaash will be looking to justify top billing.
We have run the rule over the runners and riders in both races and get our Royal Ascot betting portfolio underway with two bets in each, as we look to maximise the high class racing and betting opportunities on offer.
Special Offer
BET £20 ON THE 1.50 AT ROYAL ASCOT TO GET A £20 FREE BET. IF THAT WINS YOU GET ANOTHER FOR THE NEXT DAY AND THE STREAK CONTINUES UNTIL YOU LOSE! NEW AND EXISTING CUSTOMERS! CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO START YOUR STREAK!
EXC back bets on the ‘win’ market only. £20 free bet awarded at bet(s) settlement. ‘Free Bet streak’ bets will be equal to the winning free bet stake from the previous day, awarded by 12pm the following day, valid for 72 hours. T&Cs apply.
1.50 Royal Ascot
Favourite
The first Group 1 of the week is the Queen Anne Stakes over the straight mile. Most of the pace is drawn high with Marie’s Diamond the most likely to make the running coming out of stall 15 of 16.
Aiden O’Brien has the favourite with last year’s St James Palace winner Circus Maximus. He also won the Prix Du Moulin over a mile but many feel he’s better over an extra couple of furlongs. He’s drawn low and may be better on the round course so it passed over here.
Contenders
There’s been loads of money for Terebellum this week after the Gosden filly landed the Dahlia at HQ on reappearance. Whilst he doesn’t lack for speed, all 5 of his career runs have been over further so you’d expect something to be quicker at the business end.
Duke Of Hazzard has looked a different animal since the application of blinkers but, with 15 career runs under his belt, he may lack the scope of some of the others. Another who may not have improvement in him is the oldest horse in the field, 7 year old Mustashry. He was joint 2nd favourite for this last year but was only 7th. Roseman gave Diomed victor, Century Dream, a 4 length beating last term but surely needs rain.
Betting
In an open race, we are going double handed. Fox Chairman is the first selection, a lightly raced horse from the in form yard of Andrew Balding. He won at this trip on debut in a straight track race at Newbury but was then stepped up to a mile and a quarter for his subsequent 3 runs. He was 3rd in the 6 runner Dee Stakes behind Circus Maximus when given the worst of rides before again finding trouble around here when 2nd to Sangarius in the Hampton Court. On his last start, he was much more himself winning a Listed event at Newbury.
The drop back to a mile looks a good move for this son of Kingman and, from a good draw near the pace, there should be loads of improvement to come as a 4 year old and he rates as a good value each way bet.
Another with similar credentials is Mohaather. Being out of Showcasing, it was thought 7 furlongs to be his trip but he puts those doubts to one side when running a cracker in the QEII on heavy over course & distance at the back end of last year.
After finishing 2nd in his maiden, he won his next 3 including a pair of Group 3’s at Newbury when showing a fine turn of each occasion. After injury, he came back running a cracker when 5th of 16 in that QEII. The ground was terrible that day but, after being briefly checked when making his challenge, he ran on as well as any suggesting a mile is within range. Crowley had the choice of rides & chose him as opposed to Mustashry. He’s another with a superb each way chance.
Tips
Back Fox Chairman (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 8.00 William Hill BOG (1/5 odds 1-5)
Back Mohaather (e/w) for a 0.75/10 stake at 11.00 William Hill BOG (1/5 odds 1-5)
Back them here:
Special Offer
OPEN UP AN 888SPORT ACCOUNT DURING ROYAL ASCOT, BET £10 TO GET £40 IN FREE BETS TO USE THROUGHOUT THE MEETING! CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO BET. USE CODE RACING.
New customers only – £10 deposit using promo code “RACING” – First bet must be placed on any market – Minimum stake £10 at odds of 1/2 (1.5) – Free bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expire after 7 days – Free bet stakes not included in returns – Deposit balance is available for withdrawal at any time. General deposit method & withdrawal restrictions apply & Full T&C’s apply
3.35 Royal Ascot
Favourite
The other Group 1 on the card is the King’s Stand Stakes over the minimum trip of 5 furlongs. The very hot favourite here is Battaash and it’s difficult to oppose him as he’s 10lbs clear on rating of his 10 rivals. He’s an early season horse with his form on his first 3 runs in each of his 3, 4 and 5 year old campaigns reading 111121121, with Blue Point being the only horse to beat him (coincidentally in this race in the last 2 years).
Contenders
Glass Slippers is his nearest rival on ratings & should give Battaash the most to do. She’s won her last 3 including the Prix De L’Abbaye on her last start (Battaash behind) but she had her favoured soft ground & the best of the draw.
The best betting angle here is to take the front 2 out of the equation which leaves us with a field of 9 headed by Liberty Beach and Equilateral. The former is the only 3 year old in the field and has the 6lbs weight for age allowance. She had a really good 2 year old campaign and got off the mark first time out this year but was just 1 length in front of 87-rated Stormy Girl so has to find plenty of improvement.
Equilateral is the Charlie Hills second string and, simply put, he’s talented but inconsistent. He’s also run poorly on his only two starts here and is better on a flatter track. Both of them are beatable so the approach here is to take the next 2 high rated runners in this field.
Betting
On jockey bookings, Tis Marvellous is the first string for Clive Cox. He failed to win in Listed company on his last 3 starts but he ran well enough on each occasion. What appeals though is his liking for Ascot as, previous to those runs, he was 2nd of 20 in last year’s Wokingham & then blitzed a big field in a Class 2 handicap off a mark of 108. He also has a good draw next to the favourite & confirmed speedster which is a positive.
The second bet is the lightly raced Kurious. She’s had just 7 starts, 2 of those can be ignored as 6 furlongs isn’t her trip. She won on debut at 2 before finishing 9th of 22 in the Queen Mary here when going off too quickly. As a 3 year old, however, she has form figures of 211 over the minimum trip, the wins coming in the Listed Scurry Stakes & then the Group 3 Coral Charge. In a weak race outside of the front 2, she’s a tempting 10/1 shot to land the spoils.
Tips
PLACED – Back Tis Marvellous (e/w) in the ‘w/o Battaash & Glass Slippers’ market for a 0.75/10 stake at 8.00 Bet365 (1/5 odds 1-3)
Back Kurious (e/w) in the ‘w/o Battaash & Glass Slippers’ market for a 0.75/10 stake at 11.00 Bet365 (1/5 odds 1-3)
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2020
