The final day of Royal Ascot takes place on Saturday as the brilliant five-day Berkshire meeting draws to a close with another fantastic day of racing, the highlight of which is the Hardwicke Stakes although with just seven runners now that isn’t much of a betting proposition for us.
The day begins with three non-handicap races which have deeper fields and therefore much more upside from a betting point of view. We have delved deep into the card for all three races and come up with a selection in each.
2.30 Royal Ascot
Preview
The final day of a brilliant Royal Ascot kicks off with the longest race of the week for 2 year olds, the 7 furlong Chesham Stakes. A common theme today is that Ryan Moore and/or Frankie Dettori dominate the betting markets, even more so than normal and it’s the former that rides the favourite, Pearls And Rubies, in this. She won her only start looking in need of further but going up from 5 to 7 furlongs would be a slight worry. It’s not O’Brien’s only fancied runner as he also saddles the 2nd favourite in Content who was only 3rd on debut but was beaten far & definitely comes into the reckoning. The best of the British is expected to be La Guarida who won her 2nd start, at Goodwood, when coming clear by over 2 lengths. That form has taken somewhat of a boost with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th all winning their next start. The front 3 in the market are all fillies & they don’t have a particularly great record in this race.
Betting
Lightning Leo – At a bigger price, I’m taking this once raced colt to add to an excellent week for the in-form Hollie Doyle & Archie Watson. He’s had just the one start, when prevailing in a narrow finish at Yarmouth from reopposing rivals Sayedaty Sadaty & Quatre Bras and, to me, he looked the most obvious to come on for the run especially at this stiffer track. He was passed inside the last half furlong but battled back to win on the bob which suggests a good attitude. I like the fact that Hollie takes over today as we know she rides Ascot well and the selection has been given a nice draw in stall 9 where he will be able to get amongst horses which I think will bring out the best in him. He’s bred for further so will be sure to get the trip, something some others can be guaranteed of, and at a double figure, I’m happy to be on each way.
Tips
Back Lightning Leo (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 13.00 Bet365 BOG (⅕ odds 1-4)
Special Offer
Open up a Boylesports account during the flat season and bet £10 on any race to get £20 in bonuses! Click the image below to take advantage of this fantastic offer! 18+ T&Cs apply Gamble Aware.
3.05 Royal Ascot
Preview
Another race for over 7 furlongs, this time it’s the Group 3 Jersey Stakes for 3 year olds. This time it’s the turn of Frankie Dettori to be on the favourite in the shape of Silver Bowl winner, Covey and whilst form of 2-1-1-1 isn’t to be sniffed at, he faces an all together different class of rival today. Admittedly he won that Haydock handicap in fine style but he raced off a mark of just 90 and comes here rated 10th best on official ratings. Second favourite is Moore’s The Antarctic who is rated highest of all but this is the furthest he has gone and whilst there are hopes he’ll stay the trip, Ascot isn’t the place to be trying it out. Olivia Maralda, for Amo Racing, bids to give Kevin Stott a second winner of the week and he has claims on his Listed victory at Epsom on Derby Day.
Betting
Quar Shamar – I’m siding with the Irish and, in particular, Jessie Harrington who brings the selection back in trip after a more than respectable run in the Irish 2000 Guineas. After disappointing on his only run last year when the ground was much too soft for him, he opened this year by easily winning a Dundalk maiden when quickening away from runner up Unless who was placed in the Sandringham here yesterday. That was enough for connections to pitch him in at the highest level & he was just over 4 lengths behind an impressive winner in Paddington. In fact, he was right in with a shot around the furlong pole but his challenge petered out inside the last furlong so this shorter trip should be right up his street. That Irish Guineas form has certainly been boosted too with the winner bolting up in the St James Palace earlier this week and Charyn, 4th in Ireland, finishing 3rd in that same race here, just a neck behind English 2000 Guineas runaway winner, Chaldean. There doesn’t appear to be anything anywhere near the calibre of those named horses in here so a repeat of that run should see him involved in the finish.
Tips
Back Quar Sharmar (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 13.00 Sky Bet BOG (⅕ odds 1-5)
3.40 Royal Ascot
Preview
16 go to post for the first Group 1 on the card, the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, with the overseas challenge looking very strong for this 6 furlong contest. Aussie raider Artorius heads the market and he looks to have improved since finishing 3rd in this race 12 months ago but it’s worth noting he has only got his head in front once from his 4 starts since so is he more of a place chance? Hong Kong’s Wellington is also prominent in the betting but this is his first start outside of his home country so that unknown is enough to put me off especially at single digit odds. Highfield Princess will be looking to go one better than when 2nd to Bradsell in the Kings Stand earlier in the week although it’s tough to run two races inside 5 days, never mind a pair of Group 1’s. Kinross is solid, winning 4 of his last 5 including 2 Group 1’s but may be better with a bit of rain whilst Sacred, 5th here 12 months ago, and Rohaan, a course specialist, cannot be ruled out of things.
Betting
Art Power – It’s all about whether the big guns fire but if they fail to, I see the selection as the one most likely to pick up the pieces. He’s won 6 of his 20 career starts including 4 Group races but has yet to win at this level. That said, his form is rock solid and he almost always runs a good race. This 6 year old has run 9 times in Group 1 company and, despite being winless, his record is very good indeed with form of 4th of 13, 4th of 16 (over course & distance), 3rd of 12 (CD), 4th of 19, 5th of 11 (beaten in a bunch finish), 4th of 20 (CD), 8th of 12 and 8th of 18. Admittedly the last 2 were disappointing but beyond that, he looks to be a solid Group 1 performer. Those 2 runs were last year which wasn’t his best campaign but given he didn’t start out until August, it suggests he had some training problems. However, any problems he did have appear to be behind him now as he arguably ran a career best last time out when hosing up in the Group 2 Greenlands Stakes in Ireland, putting almost 5 lengths between him and the runner up. It was the first time Oisin Murphy had ridden the horse & he retains the ride today which, for me, is a huge positive. At the odds, he looks a solid shout & is the one at bigger odds most likely to give the big guns something to think about.
Tips
Back Art Power (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 23.00 Paddy Power BOG (⅕ odds 1-5)
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2023
