The final day of racing at Royal Ascot has three Group races and three lesser offerings on the card. We will preview the big races in a short while but firstly here is our take on the lower fayre on the day, as well as our final attempt to land what is often a bumper placepot prize.
2.30 Royal Ascot: Chesham Stakes
We kick off with the 2 year olds, this time a 7 furlong Listed race.
It revolves around the Aiden O’Brien hotpot Lope Y Fernandez who won as easy as you like on debut by over 3 lengths. He recorded a RPR of 93 that day and will be hard to beat. At the price, however, I couldn’t recommend a bet.
His big challenger looks to be Pintaubo from the yard of Charlie Appleby. He’s 2 from 2 having won the Woodcote last time and, with this extra furlong in his favour, he’s the one likely to chase the favourite home.
The market has this about right so it’s a no bet race.
5.00 Royal Ascot: Wokingham Stakes Handicap
One of my favourite races, the 6f cavalry charge of the Wokingham handicap with a big field of 26.
You definitely need luck in a race of this nature but it’s hard to knock the chances of Cape Byron who arrives here off the back of a win in the 7 furlong Victoria Cup. He’s back in trip but that’s unlikely to be an issue and he should go well.
Danzeno is Dettori’s mount and comes here after winning a Nottingham 5 furlong race by 6 lengths. He’ll struggle to dominate in this bigger field and I’m sure he’s overly well handicapped. Hey Jonesy meanwhile is down in grade having contested pattern races but I’d worry how he copes with this big field.
I do fancy the chances of Gunmetal from the David Barron yard. The trainer has only had 2 runners this week, both in the Royal Hunt Cup and both were placed, Clon Coulis failing narrowly to get up and Kynren running his usual solid race in 5th.
Oisin Murphy is booked which is a positive as is his form in big field handicaps. He dotted up in the Great St Wilfred at Ripon last year off 6lb lower and since being put up, he’s had excuses in his 3 subsequent defeats. The Ayr Gold Cup was on heavy ground whilst his 5th at Newmarket was a good effort but he looked in need of the run. Last time out, he ran an eyecatching race at York over 5 furlongs finishing best of all from the back of the field. Back over 6 furlongs and at a course favouring those coming from off the pace, he looks primed for a very big run and I cannot see him finishing out of the places.
I’m also taking a chance of Jeremy Noseda’s last ever runner Cenotaph. This looks to be a typical Noseda plot horse, similar to Laddies Poker Two who won this race in 2010. Ryan Moore is booked and that’s a positive. He is a very good horse on the all weather, winning 2 handicaps last year off 91 and 102 (races off 100 today). He followed those 2 wins with head 2nd’s off level weights to horses now rated 105 and 110. His one recent turf run was a big disappointment when finishing out the back at Newmarket but Ascot is a track where all weather form translates rather well. Off a lowly mark, he’s got a big chance if he repeats his all weather form and at the prices, he cannot be left out of calculations.
Tips
PLACED – Back Gunmetal (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 13.00 Unibet BOG (⅕ odds 1-6)
Back Cenotaph (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 26.00 Coral BOG (⅕ odds 1-6)
Back it here
5.35 Royal Ascot: Queen Alexandra Stakes
The longest race of the week finishes what’s been a terrific 5 days. 2 miles 5 furlongs is the trip and you’re going to need to be an out and out stayer to last home.
Willie Mullins has a good record in this and saddles Max Dynamite in this. He’s the proverbial talking horse and, in my opinion, doesn’t have the form to back it up.
I prefer the chances of Cleonte and Corelli. The former won at the track last year and was 3rd earlier this year here to Gold Cup 2nd Dee Ex Bee. Corelli, meanwhile, was 2nd last time out in a handicap to Baghdad who won here yesterday and bids to give Dettori another winner.
I don’t, however, have a strong opinion so will leave this alone from a betting perspective.
Day 5 Placepot
For a bit of fun, here’s the 48-line suggestion for those wanting a go at the placepot:
2.30: Lope Y Fernandez
3.05: Momkin & Urban Icon
3.40: Masar & Southern France
4.20: City Light & Emblazoned
5.00: Cape Byron, Gunmetal & Cenotaph
5.35: Cleonte & Corelli
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