We have covered the feature races at Royal Ascot on Thursday on a separate preview but after enjoying such a brilliant day in the handicaps on Wednesday where we picked out two winners and two places in the four faces, we certainly aren’t ignoring them on day 3 of the meeting.
There are three handicaps on the middle day of the Royal meeting, each one an interesting puzzle to solve. We have looked to do exactly that though and have picked out bets in all three, beginning with the opening race on the card.
1.15 Royal Ascot
Preview
The first race of Day 3 is a new addition to Royal Ascot. The Golden Gates handicap is a race for 3 year olds over a mile and a quarter. Buick, Moore & Dettori, 3 of the biggest names in the business, go head to head at the front of the market & each of their rides have solid claims.
Global Storm, Buick’s mount, has won his last 2 in handicaps but has a 5lb penalty here whilst Acquitted for Ryan Moore was 2nd to Palace Pier on reappearance but, looking further back, was over 4 lengths beyond one of today’s rivals Tritonic as a 2 year old. Frankie’s mount is probably the most solid of the trip having finished 4th behind Berlin Tango last time out. That form had been stacking up nicely until Bright Melody disappointed in the 3 year old handicap on Day 2.
Betting
Maori Knight, from the Richard Hughes yard, is the one taken to capitalise. His mark of 83 is lower than he probably deserves and it will be tough for the front 3 in the betting to give him between 9lbs and 14lbs. David Egan is a good jockey booking and, if the selection can replicate his last time out form, he has a good chance of getting one on the board.
His first 2 runs over 7 furlongs displayed promise but he found 7 furlongs too sharp but then he comfortably made all over a mile on the all weather, winning a maiden by 5 lengths eased down. On his only start this year, the front 3 came over 6 lengths clear in a Haydock handicap over this trip with our horse edged out by a head & finishing a neck in front of the 3rd. That will surely prove to be rock solid form. His mark remains unchanged today & he’s due to go up 6lbs after today. Hughes also confirmed this had been his long term target & it’s hoped he runs well to get us off to the best possible Day 3 start.
Tips
Back Maori Knight (e/w) for a 0.75/10 stake at 10.00 Betfair Sportsbook BOG (1/5 odds 1-5)
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4.10 Royal Ascot
Preview
The Britannia is a fiercely competitive handicap as always with 24 3 year olds charging down the straight track over a mile. On evidence of the first 2 days, a high draw is essential.
The first 4 in the market are all drawn high & it’s extremely likely the winner will come from here. Finest Sound, out of the Crisford yard, is the favourite after winning a handicap at Haydock by 5 lengths. He receives a 5lb penalty for that but is officially 7lbs well in. The concern is that, previously, his form was nothing special & he might not be as good over a straight mile on a stiff track. Verboten is one of 2 very well fancied from the yard of John Gosden & he’s the mount of Frankie Dettori but his form is unconvincing despite a fast finishing 4th last time out on the all weather.
Betting
The approach is to take the other 2 of the front 4, the first being Gosden’s other horse Enemy. He’s the mount of Oisin Murphy and is drawn 3 off the rail in 21. He won on debut here over 7 furlongs beating Law Of Peace, the pair 5 lengths clear of 3rd. That form looked like a race to follow. He was then disappointing on reappearance over the same trip when 2nd at Yarmouth but there are excuses. He travelled well but looked green & when he finally got the hang of it, finished fast & would have won in another few strides.
The step up in trip will suit as well the return to a stiffer track, especially as it’s likely he’ll get 10 furlongs further down the line.
The second bet is Khaloosy. The son of Dubawi created a favourable impression when winning over an extended mile at Wolverhampton by almost 5 lengths. The jockey never touched the horse, yet quickened up in fine style without ever reaching for his stick. He looked big & powerful, and was value for miles more than the official winning distance.
Untapped potential remains & it’s interesting that Crowley picked him as one of his 5 to follow this season despite never having ridden him. Interestingly he also picked Hukum in his 5, a horse that won the big 3 year old handicap on Day 2 at Ascot. In time, it looks likely the selection will prove the best of these & it’s a fair bet he’ll be racing in Group company by the time the season is over.
Tips
PLACED – Back Enemy (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 7.00 Betfair Sportsbook BOG (1/5 odds 1-6)
WON – Back Khaloosy (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 9.00 Betfair Sportsbook BOG (1/5 odds 1-6)
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4.40 Royal Ascot
Preview
The final race on the card is the equally competitive Sandringham handicap, again over a mile but this time for the 3 year old fillies. 18 run and, again, a high draw is favoured.
The race revolves around African Dream who ran a 106-rated horse close last time out & gets in here off 80 without a penalty. Officially, she’s 16lb well in and with a good draw, should hack up. However, the nagging doubt is that her previous form was nothing special as she struggled to get the better of a 76-rated rival so has she really improved by around 20lbs. It’s doubtful. Of the others, Dubai Love has to shoulder top weight & Declared Interest has been handed a tough draw.
Betting
Soffika is a strong each way fancy for Sir Michael Stoute & Ryan Moore, drawn 2 off the stands rail in 16. Being a daughter of good miler Zoffany, she’s going to be well suited by this first try at the trip, especially judged on her 2 year old form.
She won on debut over 6 furlongs by over 2 lengths despite looking in need of further and then ran an absolute cracker at HQ in the Group 3 Solera over 7 when 2nd of 8. The front 5 came clear that day & the 3 horses immediately behind (3rd, 4th & 5th) are rated 106, 106 & 101. That makes our selection’s opening mark of 97 lenient &, if she’s improved from 2 to 3, she’s sure to go very close.
Tips
Back Soffika (e/w) for a 1.5/10 stake at 8.00 William Hill BOG (1/5 odds 1-5)
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