There is an extra race on the card on the final day of the Royal Ascot meeting on Saturday, which adds to the stacked schedule that the action usually closes with. Some massive racing is set for the Berkshire track, including three Group 1 races.
We’ve gone through the card for all three races and have picked out bets we like in two of them, both of which are previewed in full below, while we’ve also come up with a few thoughts for the race we’re not betting on.
2.25 Royal Ascot
Favourite
The first of 3 Group 1’s on Super Saturday is the Coronation Stakes, a mile for 3 year old fillies. There are only 7 in the field but, luckily, some bookies are offering to pay out 3 places. 3 of the 7 runners come here after running in either the English or Irish 1000 Guineas including the favourite Quadrilateral. She was only 3rd in the English version but didn’t really settle. She’s the best in the field on juvenile form but this is a very good field & she’s plenty short enough in the market.
Contenders
Just in front of Quadrilateral in the Guineas was Richard Hannon’s Cloak Of Spirits who was 2nd behind Love. She looks vulnerable here though as her run against the rail & her prominent racing style really aided her chance at Newmarket. So Wonderful is the 3rd of the Guineas runners having finished 3rd in the Irish version but she’s a 9 race maiden & that’s unlikely to change here.
Alpine Star could be a star from the Harrington yard & I like her chances but she’s the only one in the field without a recent run & is plenty short of enough in the betting. Run Wild was very impressive at HQ early this month but that was over 2 furlongs further & she could be tapped for toe back at a mile.
Betting
At the prices, the one to be on is the US raider Sharing, giving trainer Graham Motion his first runner at Royal Ascot. He has booked the champion jockey Oisin Murphy to ride. She’s the joint highest rated runner in the field having won her last 4 including her only run as 3 year old 4 weeks ago where she gave weight all round.
The US judges I’ve listened to all say this is their best chance of a winner this week & that’s even more interesting given 2 of Wesley Ward’s juveniles were 2nd on Day 4, both looking quite unlucky. Her best bit of form is her win in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf where she won with something in hand, with top UK fillies Daahyeh & Albigna in behind. With 3 places on offer, she looks the value in the race.
Tips
Back Sharing (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 7.50 Coral BOG (1/5 odds 1-3)
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3.00 Royal Ascot
The colts version is next up, namely the St James Palace Stakes. Again there are 7 runners but there’s no one offering 3 places here. It’s a race to sit back & enjoy, rather than one to beat in, as 2 year old superstar Pinatubo bids to get his career back on track after only finishing 3rd in the 2000 Guineas. Amongst his rivals are Guineas 2nd Wichita from the O’Brien yard and Palace Pier who takes a massive step up in class but comes with a big reputation.
3.35 Royal Ascot
Favourite
The 3rd & final Group 1 is the 6 furlongs Diamond Jubilee Stakes. Amongst the field of 10 is Sceptical, a real rags to riches story bidding to give Irish trainer Denis Hogan his biggest success today. He has the assistance of Frankie Dettori in the saddle. He’s won his last 4 with a Listed success by 3 lengths 2 weeks ago particularly impressive but this is a big step up in class.
Contenders
One Master is a solid alternative to the favourite but the ground is continuing to dry out which may just dent her chances. Hello Youmzain is tough to weigh up. Having won the G1 Sprint Cup on soft, he then disappointed on heavy ground here in the Champions Sprint & is plenty short enough in the betting. Dream Of Dreams, Sands Of Mali & The Tin Man are all regulars in this type of race but none can be considered to be on the upgrade.
Betting
The selection is Khaadem from a Charlie Hills yard in decent nick. In fact, Hills has had just 6 runners this week, and has had the 1-2 in the Kings Stands, the 3rd in the Hunt Cup (at 25/1) & a superb 4th in the Commonwealth Cup with a runner going off at 250/1.
The horse himself is not easy to fathom. Last year, in his 3 year old campaign, he won a Listed race on reappearance beating the progressive Oxted & also blitzed a big field in Stewards Cup with a performance as impressive as you’re likely to see in a handicap. In between those runs, he’s failed in a trio of Group 1’s including 2 here. That asks questions over his Ascot form as well as his ability in top company but all 3 were on varying degrees of soft ground.
With the ground drying out, a very open looking field & the in-form Jim Crowley in the saddle, he looks the best value bet.
Tips
Back Khaadem (e/w) for a 0.75/10 stake at 9.00 Skybet BOG (1/5 odds 1-4)
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