The second day of the Royal Ascot meeting is another extended race card featuring some great races as ever. After Battaash did the business in the feature on the first day of action it is the turn of Japan to try and follow in its footsteps on Tuesday.
In total on Tuesday there are three group and listed races on the card, including the big one involving Japan at 3.00. We have gone through them all and picked out our best bets in the previews below.
1.50 Royal Ascot
Favourites
The Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes, run over a mile and a quarter, has attracted just eight 3 year olds with 2 of those carrying penalties.
Berlin Tango beat King Edward VII winner Pyledriver a couple of weeks back at Kempton so that form looks like stacking up well. Kenzai Warrior was 2 from 2 going into the 2000 Guineas but threw away all chance at the start when rearing up badly. Both now carry a 4lb penalty which makes them opposable. It’s worth noting that it’s 10 years since any horse carried a penalty to victory in this.
Contenders
Aiden O’Brien’s main hope is Russian Emperor who was 2nd in a substandard Group 3 Derrinstown on reappearance. His 3 year old colts aren’t in the same league as his fillies, the results of the English & Irish Guineas supporting that. Juan Elcano is the very well fancied after finishing 5th at 66/1 in the 2000 Guineas but front runners were heavily favoured that weekend & he’s not sure to appreciate the longer trip.
Betting
Sir Michael Stoute had the winner of this 12 months ago & will probably double up here with First Receiver, Frankie Dettori taking the ride. After finishing 3rd in a good Newmarket maiden (behind 112-rated Al Suhail), he then travelled best in a Kempton novice over a mile before being outpaced inside the final furlong, looking in need of a step up in trip. On his only start this year, he absolutely cruised home winning a maiden over the same Kempton mile by 7 lengths.
Admittedly, he needs to step up but it’s very likely, given he’s probably the yard’s number 1 Derby hope at this time. In addition, being a son of New Approach, this new trip will suit and it’s interesting that he’s aimed here rather than one of the 3 year old handicaps given his mark is just 98. It is also the yard’s only runner on the card today.
Tips
Back First Receiver to win for a 2/10 stake at 3.50 Unibet BOG
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3.00 Royal Ascot
Favourite
The only Group 1 on the card in the Prince of Wales who has attracted a disappointing field of 7 runners. Japan is the favourite & rightly so based on his form after finishing 3rd in the Derby last term. He then went on to win 3 races including the Group 1 Juddmonte over this trip of a mile and a quarter, before finishing 4th in the Arc. His price, though, is a bit skinny especially as he may just need the run.
Contenders
Of his rivals, Addeybb will appreciate any rain that falls but there’s unlikely to be enough to bring him into the reckoning whilst Barney Roy is a likeable type but is surely better at a mile. Headman was another progressive type at 3 but he also will likely be better for a run.
Betting
Lord North is the one that takes the eye but it would be preferable if you could get 3 places so the approach is to back in both the win & place markets. He’s won 5 of his 8 starts, finishing 2nd in 2 of the others.
He was very progressive last term, starting up by winning a novice race by fully 11 lengths before later landing the Cambridgeshire off a mark of 100. His final 2 starts saw him run a cracker in the Balmoral handicap off a lofty mark of 110 before stepping up to this trip & comfortably coming home in front in Listed company.
What’s most impressive though was his win on his only start this term where he got the better of 120-rated Elarqam in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard at Haydock. He quickened up really well that day, looking like he’d put the race to bed in a matter of strides but was being caught at the line. The issue looked to be fitness, not stamina, and he should prove even better with a run under his belt.
In a really open race where there are doubts about the warm favourite, 13/2 looks a good price in a race where we can get paid out on 3 places in a 7 runner race.
Tips
WON – Back Lord North to win for a 0.5/10 stake at 9.00 Coral BOG
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WON – Back Lord North to finish in the top 3 for a 2/10 stake at 2.10 Betfair
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4.10 Royal Ascot
Favourite
The first 2 year old race of the week is the 5 furlong Listed Windsor Castle. Wesley Ward, the crack US trainer who loves a Royal Ascot winner, brings over 2 for this & he’s secured a pair of top jockeys. Listening to some of the best US judges, they aren’t as bullish as usual so the pair should be taken on here.
Contenders
Ryan Moore rides the favourite in Chief Little Hawk who won nicely on debut. It was a weak looking race here and he’s drawn in 2 which, on evidence of Day 1, might be a problem. Mighty Gurkha is drawn better in 11 & was probably the one in the field with the most taking debut but that was on a turning track, on the all-weather over 6 furlongs. These conditions are very different.
Betting
With an even better looking draw in 20, Tactical is the one to be on here. This son of Toronado has a top chance judged on a very unlucky 3rd in a race at Newmarket. He travelled really well into the race &, cruising at the 2 furlong, was just about to make his move before twice suffering bad interference. Even then, he stayed on to finish 3rd, just 2 lengths behind a winner who recorded a course record for juveniles & has been installed as the favourite for the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes later in the week.
With the yard in top form, a very good jockey booking & excellent draw, he’s taken to gain compensation here following the most unlucky of debuts.
Tips
WON – Back Tactical (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 7.50 Bet365 BOG (1/5 odds 1-4)
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