A cracking start to Royal Ascot with The Wow Signal going in at a massive 7/1 for us and of course our nap Kingman electrifying the course with a burst of speed that was reminiscent of what became the Elephant in the room yesterday as no-one wanted to compare him to the mighty Frankel. His dominance though was Frankelesk and we loved it. We ended up with a massive 19 unit profit on the day. How to follow that is the question and our race by race guide sets out our day 2 strategy.
2.30 The Jersey Stakes Class 1 7 Furlongs
A really enjoyable if difficult start to the day with a very strong group of 3yo’s who come out to play in this hotly contested 7 furlong race. Aiden O’Brien has worked this race out, and it’s requirements having it won it for the last two years and for that reason commands respect. Only one horse greater than 11/1 has won this race in the last 10 years and 7 out of 10 winners have been less than 10/1. So fancied horses run well in this race. We will concentrate on those who have tried 8 furlongs and run well as we think you need stamina on this straight course with its uphill finish and of course no small amount of speed. The fancied horses for us are, Muwarry for John Gosden whose latest run in a Group 1 in France beaten just 2l is the best form shown at the moment and for that reason is the favourite. Mustajeeb for Dermot Weld who got within 7 lengths of Kingman in his latest run and in the context of yesterdays romp that looks very good form. Giovanni Boldini for Aiden O’Brien who also has collateral Group 1 form and at a bigger price Big Time who performed creditably in the Kingman race in Ireland without showing his best on the quicker ground all three of the fancied runners are drawn across the track and this is where pace in the race may dictate who performs best.
Our Bet : 1 unit E/w Giovanni Boldini @ 14/1 with Coral
3.05 Queen Mary Stakes Group 2 Fillies 5 furlongs
The lady speedsters line-up in this renewal in which over the last 10 years only one clear favourite has won and excluding that winner no horse has started shorter than 4/1 with 3 winners over 20/1. There are some rules with fillies that we like to follow, like following one in form – they all are!!!, Those that handle the crowd and build-up – we wont know that until its too late!!! and proven experience over this course and distance – tough with this inexperience. And that’s why this race is so hard to pick a winner. If you want to bet then I think we could cover it with this five, Tiggy Wiggy, Harrys Dancer, Blue Aegean and Anthem Alexander.
If you give me two against the field it would be
One Unit EW both Anthem Alexander @ 3/1 and Blue Aegean @ 20/1 both with Skybet
3.45 Prince of Wales Stakes Group 1 1 mile 2 furlongs
I am really looking forward to seeing Treve line-up in this race. Betting is all about opinions and the one you need to have in this race to have a bet revolves around answers to the following. After a prep race where Treve didn’t travel in France and was only just beaten by a horse who has now won 3 group 1’s this year is she back to her best – the same form where she destroyed a class field in the Arc last year. If she is then that suggests that you have to simply lump in to her today because she will be too good for this lot. If you think not and that the ground is too fast and the trip too short then that brings in Breeders Cup sensation, Magician, York champion The Fugue and possibly Dank. In fact without Treve it would be a really tight affair and may still prove to be. Lets hope for our benefit it isn’t.
I am rowing in with Madame Head and betting with long trousers in this race
Our Bet 6 units win Treve @ 8/11 with William Hill
4.25 The Duke of Cambridge Stakes – Group 2, 1 mile
A number of these have plied their trade in Group 1 company and with some success. A couple are on recovery missions and a few are tilting at windmills in their ambition. However I think its a great race that revolves around the following horses. Sky Lantern, Certify, Integral and Esoterique, with possibly Fiesolana being a lively outsider.
I think the most progressive and one open to the most improvement is Integral and I have been keen to see this one line-up since its run at Newmarket where she was beaten by Esoterique. I think she will turn the tables on that form. Sky Lantern bothers me the most as I think she is capable but not straight forward.
Our Bet : 2 units E/W Integral @ 11/4 with Skybet
5.00 Royal Hunt Cup Class 2, 1 mile
A great race, 31 take to the stalls in the annual cavalry charge with just a stone in weight between the top and bottom. Its exciting and it takes a certain type of horse to excel in this race. They can be really well handicapped – that is unexposed, or they can be horses who just love wide tracks, big fields and loads of pace. Previous winners Prince of Johanne and Belgian Bill demand respect as previous winners as does Ingelby Angel who loves big fields and a frenetic pace. I am going to side with two in this race and they are at either side of the course.
Abseil looked good at Chester and even better when he hacked up at Epsom and his Chester conqueror Herecomeswhen who after winning went in to a group race and performed creditably give me the other side of the track and a big price for a horse who I think is still unexposed on this ground.
Our Bet : 1 units E/w Abseil @ 6/1 with Coral and 1 unit E/W Herecomeswhen @ 28/1 with Betvictor
5.35 The Sandringham Handicap (Listed Race) 1 mile
No easy get out this one but fancied horses run well with 3 favourites and a host of single figured winners in the last 10 years. In fact no winner has been greater than 16/1 in the last 10 years and 7 single figures winners. On the layers sheets only three are less than 12/1, they are Crowleys Law, Psychometry and Muteela. Logic says the winner will come form these three. With 25 in the race we will take a punt on 2 again
1 unit E/W both Muteela @ 8/1 with Bet 365 and Hot Coffee 33/1 with Sportingbet
