We have reached the third day of the Royal Ascot meeting and on Thursday it is all about the Ascot Gold Cup. We are going to sit back and enjoy the spectacle rather than bet on the marathon contest but there are some other great races on the card and we’re loading up the bet slips in them.
2.30 Ascot: Norfolk Stakes
Preview
A small field for the opener with just 10 juveniles lining up for this 5 furlong sprint. There’s yet another Wesley Ward short priced favourite in Shang Shang Shang but she’s one to take on taking on the boys. The National Stakes, run at Sandown, looks like being informative with the winner, 3rd & 6th filling 3 of the next 4 spots in the betting. It’s hard to split the trio here & I’m not sure I’d want to be backing any of them at the current prices.
Main Bet
The one I like is Charming Kid who’s only seen the track once but won at York in taking fashion. She took a keen hold & ran very green but his jockey never went for the whip in landing the prize by half a length. It later surfaced that the horse wasn’t quite 100% so I think the form is even better than it first appears. That run was on similar ground to today’s & he’s one of only 4 runners that comes here with a single run under their belt, like 4 of the last 7 winners. His trainer immediately pinpointed this race after he won at York &, to me, he looks to have a super each way chance.
Outsider
Another once raced winner is The Paddocks who was similarly impressive when winning on his debut at Newbury over 6 furlongs. He won by a head but never really looked like losing & his rider didn’t get overly serious. That was on good to firm ground so no issues with fast going & he beat a subsequent winner that day. His trainer suggests he has the speed to cope with the step back in trip & is also thought to like him a lot.
Tips
Back Charming Kid (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 10.00 Ladbrokes BOG (⅕ odds 1-3)
Back it here:
Back The Paddocks (e/w) for a 0.75/10 stake at 17.00 Unibet BOG (⅕ odds 1-3)
Back it here:
3.05 Ascot: Hampton Court Stakes
I cannot find a bet here. There’s a strange cross section of horses here; ones stepping back from Group 1 or Group 2 company to ones coming here straight from a maiden. I’ll happily sit this one out.
3.40 Ascot: Ribblesdale Stakes
Preview
Only 10 runners for this year’s renewal of the Ribblesdale, with Oaks runners featuring heavily at the top of the market. I’m not sure I can back either Wild Illusion or Magic Wand, despite both finishing in the first 4 in the Oaks. I didn’t get the impression that either will relish a mile and a half at this much stiffer track. Sun Maiden couldn’t have been more impressive in winning a Salisbury novice event but her price is short on what she’s achieved so far.
Betting
With 3 places on offer, I cannot resist a small each way play on Highgarden. She won a Newbury mile race on her debut last year in fine style & went into many notebooks as a filly to follow in middle distance races this year. She disappointed a little on her reappearance when 3rd in a similar event at Sandown before finishing 4th when starting favourite in the Musidora. Again, you could argue she was a shade under par but both of those runs suggested to me she needs a true test of stamina. The extra 2 furlongs is expected to suit her more than most & the stiff track will hold no fears. In a race where I don’t think we have an outstanding candidate, the selection could just spring a surprise at a generous price.
Tips
Back Highgarden (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 21.00 Boylesports BOG (⅕ odds 1-3)
Back it here:
4.20 Ascot: Gold Cup
Several old enemies reoppose here & there’s no real betting angle to the race. Order Of St George, Stradivarius or Vazirabad, it could be any of the 3. That said, you cannot easily discount Torcedor or Desert Skyline. No bet for me.
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4.55 Ascot: Britannia Stakes Handicap
Preview
A crazily competitive 3 year old cavalry charge & the lucky pin had to come out in a bid to find the winner of this. A middle draw has been an advantage this week & in recent renewals, you’re looking for any horse coming into this after winning a handicap last time out.
Main Bet
The first of our 2 is Sam Gold who looks a horse on the up. He finished 3rd to Symbolization on his reappearance before winning comfortably on easy ground next time out. The stiff track looks ideal & his yard think this better ground will bring about further improvement. He won so easily at Doncaster that a 5lb rise looks lenient & he looks capable of winning of his revised mark. First time cheek-pieces add to the intrigue.
Outsider
Ostilio is drawn bang in the middle of the track & has the champ on board. He’s another last time out handicap winner, getting off the mark when winning easily at HQ off 6lb lower. That followed 4 consecutive runner-up finishes including a 6 length 2nd to St James Palace winner, Without Parole. This track looks sure to suit & he should go well at a nice price.
Tips
Back Sam Gold (e/w) for a 0.75/10 stake at 13.00 Coral BOG (⅕ odds 1-6)
Back it here:
WON – Back Ostilio (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 17.00 Ladbrokes BOG (⅕ odds 1-6)
Back it here:
5.30 Ascot: King George V Stakes Handicap
Preview
A mile and a half for these 3 year old handicapper’s & I think it’s interesting to note that, quite often, those drawn high have held sway which seems strange. However, I believe that’s largely because the low drawn runners go off too quick to get a position so I’m sticking with those drawn in double figures. Unusual, I know, but I’m taking 3 bets in this 22 runner handicap.
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Main Bets
Communique is one of Mark Johnston’s army bidding to land the prize & he’s the most likely in my eyes having landed the London Gold Cup last time out. Johnston came out afterwards & said he was a Royal Ascot handicapper & I think he’s capable of proving that off this 9lb higher mark. That race was over 10 furlongs & the way he battled to the line before winning going away suggests this extra distance is well within limits. I expect him to be there at the business end.
I think Downdraft, an Irish raider, has a massive chance. After 4 starts at Dundalk on the sand, he won a Premier Handicap at Navan, beating a former Derby entry in the process by a neck. The pair came well clear of the rest of the field so the form looks strong. He wore down the eventual 2nd & it looks like he’s another that will be suited by moving up to a mile and a half. A 8lb rise looks fair but I’m still convinced there’s more to come.
Outsider
Finally, I just cannot leave out the quirky Corgi. He finished 2nd on his reappearance to Derby fancy Young Rascal off level weights before finished 3rd in another maiden to Stream Of Stars who ran in a Group 2 here yesterday. He then got off the mark in a Sandown handicap where he stayed on strongly up the hill. Up another 2 furlongs, it looks sure to suit & a 3lb rise in mark looks lenient assuming his quirks don’t come to the fore.
Tips
Back Communique (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 9.00 William Hill BOG (1/5 odds 1-5)
Back it here:
Back Downdraft (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 11.00 Bet365 BOG (¼ odds 1-4)
PLACED – Back Corgi (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 15.00 BetVictor BOG (⅕ odds 1-5)
Back it here:
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