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. Who is today’s NAP? Find out below.
Down The Royal River
NAP: Jersey Stakes (Group Three) – River Tiber @ 13/8 (Unibet, Boylesports)
This year’s Jersey Stakes looks a very nice renewal. Haatem, recently purchased by high-flying Wathnan, drops grades and a furlong here. But I think River Tiber will suit over the specialist trip. He finished a good third behind Rosallion in the Irish 2000 Guineas, of which he backed up nicely on Tuesday. Another big plus for River Tiber is the fact that a few of last year’s Royal Ascot winners have won again this week and River Tiber can follow that trend for the evergreen duo of O’Brien and Moore.
History Repeating
E/W Bet: Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (GROUP ONE) – Khaadem @ 20/1 (William Hill)
Dr Jim Hay said that both of his horses will run well in this race. Particularly Khaadem, who shocked Royal Ascot at 80/1. A few things haven’t gone right for him since. His run on firm ground was too short over five furlongs, and his runs over six haven’t come on the rattling ground he wants. Today, it’s déjà vu for Khaadem and the market haven’t caught on to it. Pace-wise, he looks like he’s on the wrong side, but he still can’t be ignored at a big price when conditions are in his favour.
Three For The Sprint
Handicap Best: Wokingham Stakes (Heritage H’cap) – Harry Three @ 9/1 (Unibet)
Pace is everything in the Wokingham. And much like the Jubilee, it looks like the far side is where you want to be. Yet the better handicapped horses are over on the other side so it makes it a bit difficult when picking a horse in the shorter odds to back. Harry Three seems the better handicapped of the principles. In 2022 he achieved a hattrick of wins from May to July, but came unstuck on the worser ground towards the end of the season. He’s back on firm ground today and has dropped an astonishing six pounds in just two runs.
Unequal Love sits where the pace is and comes into this race on a decent patch of form. She won her last handicap race at Pontefract before going into open company and winning at Newmarket at the start of the season. She didn’t run too badly at Group Two level at the Curragh last time out and drops back into handicap company. And, she can manage all types of ground which makes her value at 16/1 (Boylesports).
Desert Cop is still relatively unexposed on firm ground. He has only one run on the fast ground in a big field handicap at Newmarket with a big weight on his back. He wasn’t great over seven furlongs last time, and has a note of inconsistency about him. He’s over on the far side, which makes him near the pace and has a nice weight on his back. Long shot of the race at 25/1 (Unibet).
Selections:
14:30 – Chesham Stakes (Listed) – Bedtime Story @ 15/8 (William Hill)
15:05 – Hardwicke Stakes (Group Two) – Continuous @ 2/1 (Unibet), Isle Of Jura e/w @ 12/1 (Unibet)
15:45 – Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (GROUP ONE) – Shartash @ 7/1 (Boylesports), Washington Heights e/w @ 12/1 (General), KHAADEM (E/W) @ 20/1 (William Hill)
16:25 – Jersey Stakes (Group Three) – RIVER TIBER (NAP) @ 13/8 (Unibet, Boylesports)
17:05 – Wokingham Stakes (Heritage H’cap) – HARRY THREE (HB) @ 9/1 (Unibet), Unequal Love e/w @ 16/1 (Boylesports), Desert Cop e/w @ 25/1 (Unibet)
17:40 – Golden Gates Stakes – Old Faithful @ 13/2 (Unibet, Betfred), Approval e/w @ 15/2 (Unibet, Betfred), Dambuster 14/1 e/w (General)
18:15 – Queen Alexandra Stakes – Queenstown @ 3/1 (General), Uxmal e/w @ 7/1 (General)
Best of Luck!
