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.
Royal Jacket
NAP: Norfolk Stakes (Group Two) – Whistlejacket @ 6/5 (William Hill, Betfred, Boylesports)
It might seem a bit foolhardy putting the trust and faith in a two-year-old. But when you are a full brother to Royal Ascot winner Little Big Bear and dominated you’re last win, you have to uphold some reputation. Whistlejacket won by three-and-three-quarter lengths in the First Flier in May. That was on soft ground, but there will be more expected of him now on good-to-firm. Just like his brother, expect plenty of pace and not for catching.
Rane On The Parade
E/W Bet: Gold Cup (GROUP ONE) – Coltrane @ 12/1 (BetVictor, Boylesports)
On paper, this looks like one of the most competitive renewals of the Gold Cup in recent years. Coltrane, for me, looks overpriced. His record at Ascot reads an impressive 121251. This includes a second in the Gold Cup last year. He’s won on firm ground before, in last season’s Lonsdale Cup. His price is too big, considering Gregory has not landed a big prize since last year’s Queen’s Vase. And, Kyprios is on a vengeance mission against Trawlerman to try and reagin his Royal crown, the latter of which is my pick to land the big prize. But Coltrane will not be far from the frame.
No Need To Ponder
Handicap Best: King George V Stakes (Heritage H’cap) – Poniros @ 15/2 (William Hill)
Only one race is worth looking at for this contest. The London Gold Cup. And whilst the winner is going up into Group company, the rest show up here. Poniros is the one who comes here looking to uphold the form. It already has by Persica at Epsom and hopefully is the first positive indicator of how good the form is from the race. Poniros should relish the step up in trip after being bred by Golden Horn and looks a good pick at the initial prices.
Fouroneohfever is on a four timer. Each race he has run this season, he seems to have grown in confidence, if you look at the winning distance. He’s already won over the winning distance of one-and-a-half miles so has got the engine. Despite not winning on firm ground, his sire Too Darn Hot will provide him with that ability. Decent each-way chance at 16/1 (William Hill, BetVictor).
An outsider that may be a little overlooked is City Burglar for Ralph Beckett. He came into this season with a narrow defeat over 10 furlongs at Ayr, which shows he is open to improvement over further. The draw may be a little negative on the inside rail, but Silvestre De Sousa is experienced enough to navigate a way through. 33/1 (BetVictor).
Selections:
14:30 – Norfolk Stakes (Group Two) – WHISTLEJACKET (NAP) @ 6/5 (William Hill, Betfred, Boylesports)
15:05 – King George V Stakes (Heritage H’cap) – PONIROS (HB) @ 15/2 (William Hill), Fouroneohfever e/w @ 16/1 (William Hill, BetVictor), City Burglar e/w @ 33/1 (BetVictor)
15:45 – Ribblesdale Stakes (Group Two) – Diamond Rain @ 13/8 (William Hill)
16:25 – Gold Cup (GROUP ONE) – Trawlerman @ 6/1 (General), COLTRANE (E/W) @ 12/1 (BetVictor, Boylesports)
17:05 – Britannia Stakes (Heritage H’cap) – Volterra @ 7/1 (Boylesports), Dashing Darcey e/w @ 12/1 (General), Mickley e/w @ 12/1 (BetVictor, Boylesports)
17:40 – Hampton Court Stakes (Group Three) – King’s Gambit @ 13/8 (William Hill, Boylesports), Jayarebe e/w @ 9/1 (William Hill)
18:15 – Buckingham Palace Stakes – Kings Time @ 12/1 (William Hill), Divine Libra e/w @ 9/1 (William Hill), Billyjoh e/w @ 2/1 (BetVictor, Betfred, Boylesports)
Best of Luck!
