The final day of Royal Ascot has arrived and the best five days of racing is sure to go out with a real bang. We’ve seen some top class action over the week with leading acts winning along with some outsiders coming home in front.
There is another seven races on the schedule at the Berkshire track on Saturday and we are targeting a number of them as we go about finishing off the meeting with some winners to keep us in profit for the week.
2.30 Royal Ascot: Chesham Stakes (Listed)
The final 2 year old race of the week has the 2 heavyweights trainers, O’Brien & Appleby, lead the market with the unbeaten pair of Bedtime Story & Age Of Gold but, in search of some each way value, I like the chances of Motawahij. This once-raced colt finished 2nd on debut just under 3 weeks ago at Hamilton but this colt ran well in finishing 2nd to a decent sort in the shape of Catalyse. He travelled well & made smooth headway in that event before inexperience probably became a factor. I’d expect him to improve a lot from that run & it’s interesting that connections have immediately decided to step him up in trip. He has plenty of pace so that decision is the one that intrigues me the most but, on breeding, it appears to be a good decision. That mix for speed & stamina is perfect for the Chesham, the longest race of the week for 2 year olds, & he holds a nice chance.
Tips
Back Motawahij (e/w) for a 0.75/10 stake at 12.00 William Hill (⅕ odds 1-4)
Back it here:
3.05 Royal Ascot: Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2)
A small field of 9 for the Hardwicke & therefore, it’s the first of 2 races I’m not having a bet in today. It looks like a shootout between Continuous & Middle Earth, although I wouldn’t be surprised to see Desert Hero return to something like his best.
3.45 Royal Ascot: Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Group 1)
The only Group 1 of the final day & it looks like a cracker, despite the late withdrawal of Kinross. The first one I like is Washington Heights who has progressed well through handicap company last summer in a Group performer. On reappearance, he won the Abernant beating today’s favourite Mill Stream by three-quarters of a length, before suffering a half length reversal to that same rival in the Group 2 Duke of Clipper. Perhaps drawn a bit wider than ideal, that run can be marked up so I’m struggling with the fact he’s 3 times the price of the favourite here. With the yard in good form, the only real question is whether this pace pusher gets home on this stiffer track.
If you like the first one, it’s surely impossible to leave out Shouldhavebeenaring too who’s got a very similar profile. The one thing he does have from last year in solid Group 1 form, having finished a neck 2nd to Regional in the Sprint Cup & then 3rd in the Foret over in France. After going off favourite for the Abernant but disappointing after a very tardy start, he showed his true colours in that Duke of Clipper where he was beaten a nose by Mill Stream. Taking that form literally, his price is a crazy one with the one thing to forgive being a poor run over in Ireland. I’m putting that down to it coming too soon after that York run & back to form, he’s a crazy price here.
Tips
Back Washington Heights (e/w) for a 0.75/10 stake at 13.00 Paddy Power (⅕ odds 1-4)
Back Shouldhavebeenaring (e/w) for a 0.75/10 stake at 13.00 Bet365 (⅕ odds 1-4)
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4.25 Royal Ascot: Jersey Stakes (Group 3)
A big field for the Jersey but one which lacks depth. Realistically, you’d expect River Tiber & Haatem, the front 2 in the market, to fight out the finish but I think Task Force can get in amongst them. This Frankel colt looked like making up into a top class following a relatively successful 2 year old campaign. He won his first 2 starts, the second in Listed company, before running a cracker in the Middle Park, finishing 2nd only to Vandeek but coming home narrowly in front of River Tiber that day. His one run since was in the 2000 Guineas where he was 7th of 11 but actually he ran a lot better than the finishing position suggested. He was only one place behind Inisherin, the Commonwealth Cup winner, was ahead of Derby winner City of Troy & whilst finishing behind Haatem who reopposes here, he is the one that will be most benefited by this step back in trip. He should also improve from his first run of the year & I fancy him to go well in this.
Tips
Back Task Force (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 10.00 Coral (⅕ odds 1-4)
5.05 Royal Ascot: Wokingham Stakes (Handicap)
Arguably the most eagerly anticipated handicap of the week, it’s Wokingham time over the straight 6 furlongs. Double-handed is always the way to go & Ferrous is my first pick. This season has seen a serious upturn in fortunes with a pair of handicap wins on the all weather, both times winning with plenty in hand. The 13lb rise in weight for those 2 runs is workable given the nature of the victories & he proved that with a very good 3rd in a quality Class 2 handicap at Newbury where the course record was broken. He was perhaps just too far back that day but the fact his mark remains unchanged is a big positive here. The big field & fast pace will be right up his street as his tendency to pull in his 2 all weather wins didn’t go unnoticed & his middle to high draw should be ideal giving him plenty of options.
From that same Newbury race, I think the 2nd, Rumstar, is another with a massive chance. He’s an interesting runner; he won a Group 3 as a 2 year old & last year, was 5th in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup & it’s not often you see a 4 year old stepping back into handicap company having performed with credit in the very highest grade. It’s been a bit up & down since but ground was one of many excuses. I’m buoyed by that run last time out where he was suited by the faster conditions, similar to what he’ll encounter today. He’s seen a slight rise in the weights but he’s still 5lb lower than his peak of last summer. Hopefully his high draw is beneficial & I’m expecting a big run for his unfashionable yard.
Tips
Back Ferrous (e/w) for a 0.75/10 stake at 15.00 William Hill (⅕ odds 1-6)
Back it here:
Back Rumstar (e/w) for a 0.75/10 stake at 11.00 Bet365 (⅕ odds 1-6)
5.40 Royal Ascot: Golden Gates Stakes (Handicap)
The last handicap & my last bet of the week comes in this mile & a quarter contest for 3 year olds. Dambuster is a lightly raced type having his first run in a handicap but brings some impressive form to the table. He beat Go Daddy on debut, a horse that has since run well in the London Gold Cup & finished 3rd here in the King George V earlier this week, before being pitched straight into Group company. That never worked & he was eased after hanging badly & not being suited by the Newmarket undulations. However, he put that firmly behind him winning a Beverley novice well where nothing went right. The lack of pace was a negative & he had to overcome a penalty too but did it with limited fuss. This bigger field will suit & I always am expecting faster ground to bring about improvement for a colt that, on breeding, should be a lot better than his opening mark.
Tips
Back Dambuster (e/w) for a 0.75/10 stake at 13.00 William Hill (⅕ odds 1-4)
Back it here:
6.15 Royal Ascot: Queen Alexandra Stakes (Conditions)
The week finishes with a conditions race, ugh, and the longest race of the 5-day meeting. That’s not for me & by this time, I expect I’ll be feet up with beer in hand. Good luck to anyone still going by this point!
