Best Of Bets

Day: 18 June 2024

  • Royal Ascot 2024 | Auguste Rodin ready to storm Prince of Wales

    Royal Ascot 2024 | Auguste Rodin ready to storm Prince of Wales

    Royal Ascot. There is simply nothing like it on the racing calendar and for Auguste Rodin, it could be his chance to shine once more.

    After one of the coolest and dampest springs in recent memory, the course remains largely dry and with little rain in the forecast, the ground looks set to be fairly fast.

    If the weather plays ball, after a run of seven months’ absence from the winners’ enclosure, Auguste Rodin looks in prime position for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.

     

    Royal debut

    Making his first trip not only to Ascot but the Royal Meeting, Auguste Rodin will be breaking ground this week.

    But that is not to say he will be ill at ease. Likely, far from it.

    Aidan O’Brien may have lost one of his big stable names in Paddington to retirement, but Auguste Rodin can cushion the blow in Berkshire.

    If Auguste rides in to victory, it will be his sixth Grade 1 win.

     

    Derby glory

    In May 2023, it all went so wrong for Auguste Rodin.

    A strong 13/8f for the 2000 Guineas, the son of Deep Impact never got to grips with the Rowley Mile, finishing a lowly 12th out of 14 runners.

    As Chaldean and Frankie Dettori came home at 9/2 for a fitting Newmarket send-off, it was a setback.

    Less than a month later however, Auguste rode in for Derby glory.

    Hauling back King of Steel over the final furlongs, Auguste Rodin won a ninth Derby for his trainer and third for Ryan Moore.

    Firmly consigning his doubters to the scrap heap, Irish Derby, Irish Champion Stakes and then Breeders’ Cup Turf spoils followed.

    With the ground almost his ideal condition this week, the pieces appear to be lining up for a return to winning ways on UK turf.

     

    Birch absence

    Auguste Rodin is the market favourite for the Prince of Wales, and his task has been made a little easier by the withdrawal of White Birch.

    Not declared for Wednesday’s contest, JJ Murphy’s entry had won the last three and beat Auguste Rodin last time out in the Tattersalls Gold Cup.

    With White Birch absent, the mare Inspiral looks to be closest in the betting, and she also recorded a victory at the Breeders’ Cup last November.

    Taking the Filly and Mare Turf, the 5yo of John and Thady Gosden has won three of the last four, having been runner-up in last year’s Queen Anne.

    The year prior however, she won the Coronation Stakes. Inspiral can take it to Auguste.

    Meanwhile, after fluffing her own lines in the Nassau Stakes, French raider Blue Rose Cen will be hoping for better favour, but again, there are questions as to whether the filly will like the faster ground.

     

    The Prince of Wales’s Stakes takes place on Wednesday at 4:25pm.

  • Royal Ascot 2024 | Day One: Selections and Naps

    Royal Ascot 2024 | Day One: Selections and Naps

    It’s time for the fanciest, fabulous and glamorous week of the year. Royal Ascot returns for the midsummer event of the season. Some big names take to the track to battle it out in front of royalty, dignitaries and punters alike. Whose today’s NAP? Find out below.

     

    Big Fast Bet

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    NAP: King Charles III Stakes (GROUP ONE) – Big Evs @ 4/1 (General)

    One horse who is an out an out sprinter is Big Evs. He’s currently on a four race winning streak after making light work of the Westow field at York in May. Despite him jumping from Listed to Group One, he is a British Group winner and a Breeders’ Cup winner too. Plus he ran at the Royal meeting last year when he blitzed a 20 runner two-year-old field by three lengths. If anyone can do it, it’s Big Evs.

     

    Royal Honour

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    E/W Bet: Coventry Stakes (Group Two) – Symbol Of Honour @ 16/1 (William Hill)

    It looks a very competitive renewal of the Coventry, with plenty of horses with a shout all through the market. Look out for those who have been impressive on firm ground, which includes Symbol Of Honour. A couple of horses have backed up the form, including first choice from the owners Al Qudra. However, Symbol Of Honour caught the eye at Lingfield and a firm six furlongs will suit him to a T. He’s drawn near the rail which is an added bonus.

     

    No Catching The Rat Catcher

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    Handicap Best: Ascot Stakes (Heritage H’cap) – Pied Piper @ 8/1 (William Hill)

    It’s a jumper’s summer paradise, which can create Cheltenham winners into Royal Ascot champions. Pied Piper is hoping to fit into that bracket. It’s clear he’ll get the distance and prefers firmer ground when going in the winter. He only finished three-quarters of a length down in the Cesarewitch in September which is a massive plus in my book and doesn’t seem to be that affected by the handicapper raising him four pounds.

    Another firm going jumper is Nusret. He won a Race To The Ebor race last Summer, but was hugely disappointing in the Irish Cesarewitch, due to soft ground. But his run at Punchestown over hurdles gave some promise and it’s clear that Joseph O’Brien will have aimed this horse here. He has a nice weight on his back, and loves going right-handed. Nice each-way chance at 16/1 (William Hill).

    Only Master Milliner has a really good liking for firm ground. He wasn’t great in the 2022 Queen Alexandra, but the proceeded to double up, including winning the Goodwood handicap. Hasn’t been seen since the back end of 2022, though it’s worth-noting why Emma Lavelle has decided he should reappear here. Big ask at 66/1 (General).

     

    Selections:

    14:30 – Queen Anne Stakes (GROUP ONE) – Big Rock @ 13/2 (William Hill), Docklands e/w @ 16/1 (William Hill, Unibet, Boylesports)

    15:05 – Coventry Stakes (Group Two) – Catalyse @ 12/1 (William Hill), SYMBOL OF HONOUR E/W @ 16/1 (William Hill)

    15:45 – King Charles III (GROUP ONE) – BIG EVS (NAP) @ 4/1 (General)

    16:25 – St James’s Palace Stakes (GROUP ONE) – Rosallion @ 4/1 (William Hill, Unibet, Boylesports), Alyanaabi e/w @ 20/1 (Boylesports)

    17:05 – Ascot Stakes (Heritage H’cap) – PIED PIPER (HB) @ 8/1 (William Hill), Nusret e/w @ 16/1 (William Hill), Master Milliner e/w @ 66/1 (General)

    17:40 – Wolfreton Stakes (Listed) – Israr @ 7/2 (General), Astro King e/w @ 11/1 (Betfred, Boylesports), Checkandchallenge e/w @ 18/1 (William Hill, Betfred, Boylesports)

    18:15 – Copper Horse Handicap – Belloccio @ 100/30 (William Hill, BetVictor, Betfred), Alsakib e/w @ 10/1 (BetVictor, Betfred, Boylesports), Beamish e/w @ 25/1 (BetVictor, Betfred, Boylesports)

    Best of Luck!