Best Of Bets

Tag: Royal Ascot

  • Royal Ascot Day 3 Picks – The Top Three

    Royal Ascot Day 3 Picks – The Top Three

    Without trying to sound too much like Racing Twitter, today was tough, very tough.

    The day started well with a nice place at 9/1 with TARRABB in the Kensington Palace Fillies’ Handicap, but a disappointing effort from QUEEN AMINATU in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes and PEROTTO’s lack of importance in the Royal Hunt Cup ended the day on a negative note.

    That gives us a P&L of -2.2 points from day two, annoying, but not outright horrendous.

    Stick around though as day three includes one of my top three bets of the week, a 66/1 shot, and a 25/1 play in the competitive Britannia Stakes.

     

    Gold Cup (4:20) – Coltrane @ 7/2 with William Hill – 2pt WIN

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    As much as the Gold Cup can be a tough contest to work out, this year, in my mind, didn’t take too long to work out.

    While it may not be groundbreaking news to you all, COLTRANE is a very good horse and deserves his big day in the sun.

    That being said, deserving a race doesn’t mean you have to back the horse, but in this case, he looks like the obvious bet.

    On last season’s form alone, his fourth in the Goodwood Cup behind Kyprios, Stradivarius, and Trueshan would be good enough to win this race before you even begin to consider the idea that he has progressed in the 11 months since.

    Although plenty of others in here are also improving types – Eldar Eldarov, Emily Dickinson, Courage Mon Ami – Andrew Balding’s six-year-old is no different and in a year that is lacking big guns, he could be the one to take up the mantle.

    The 7/2 with William Hill looks like a very fair price in a field that he can hopefully get the better of.

     

    Britannia Stakes (5:00) – Bless @ 22/1 with BetVictor – 1pt EW

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    No French runner has ever won the Britannia Stakes, though that hasn’t stopped me from backing their sole representative in the shape of BLESS at 22/1 with BetVictor.

    Firstly, I will preface this selection with the fact that three-year-old handicaps at this stage of the season are always a nightmare, let alone on the straight course at Ascot with a potential draw bias to deal with.

    However, with jockey Stephane Pasquier flying over to take the ride, this Toronado colt can go close off a mark of 93.

    Looking through his French form, he nearly beat Marhaba Ya Sanafi, a future French 2000 Guineas winner and French Derby third, three starts ago at Chantilly off level weights.

    Furthermore, a look into his second-last run at Longchamp reveals he only finished a head behind Mario Baratti’s Angers, a Seabhac colt who would go on to bolt up by six lengths on his next start in the Group 2 German 2000 Guineas.

    Even his two-year-old maiden victory at Chantilly in November 2022 has seen the form franked thanks to Duc De Kent, who would go on to win two races after that and finish second in a Listed event on his latest start.

    That is some very solid form behind Bless’ chances, and despite his last three races occurring on softer conditions, his pedigree (by Toronado with Le Havre as the damsire) would suggest there is improvement to come on better ground.

    Whether the ground is too rattling quick for his liking or the draw bias is still favouring high draws tomorrow is the danger, but that is accounted into his odds of 22/1 and I’m very intrigued to see how Fabrice Chappet’s three-year-old can perform in the Britannia Stakes.

     

     

    Buckingham Palace Stakes (6:10) – Toimy Son @ 66/1 with William Hill – 0.5pts EW

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    Regular readers of The Top Three column will recognise that I put up TOIMY SON for the Victoria Cup at massive odds last month.

    My case for her last time out revolved around her returning to seven furlongs on soft ground with Cristian Demuro booked to do the steering off a mark of 102.

    Unfortunately, she never really got into the race from the centre of the track.

    However, and rightly so, the handicapper dropped her three pounds for the disappointing effort and with Oisin Murphy back on board, she is one I’m hopeful for at a bit of a price.

    My one worry is the ground. Her pedigree and previous form suggest that softer conditions suit her better, however, there have been murmurs that the David Menuisier team wanted to try her on quicker ground and with the first-time blinkers applied, at 66/1, I will take the chance at her returning to form.

  • Royal Ascot Day Two Selections and Naps

    Royal Ascot Day Two Selections and Naps

    Day One at Royal Ascot wasn’t a great day for the column. The NAP landed, when Paddington hacked up in the feature, but Bring On The Night got trapped and Cuban Thunder was never involved. But Royal Ascot is very much a marathon and Day Two should start to turn the tide.

    Scroll down for Selections on all seven races, live on ITV Racing and Sky Sports Racing.

    MOORE MOORE MOORE

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    NAP: Prince of Wales’s Stakes (GROUP ONE) – LUXEMBOURG @ 9/4 (10Bet, Boylesports, BetUK)

    A treble for Ryan Moore yesterday took his total winners at the Royal meeting to 76 yesterday, after an astonishing treble on River Tiber, Paddington and Vauban. A £1 treble would have paid out £15.20, which shows the pull of the almost-40-year-old jockey. Today he rides Luxembourg, who’s been tipped in my Four To Follow column, when he won the Tattersalls Gold Cup. He led all the way, fending off Bay Bridge in the latter stages and there’s nothing to say he can do it again from stall one on the round course.

    Keep an eye out for Mostahdaf, who is unbeaten off a 50+ day break, and is making his UK reappearance, and seems to have a good draw on the wide outside in draw six. Both Jim Crowley and the Gosdens’ seem to have gone under in terms of winners, but this horse has to have been strategically aimed at this race, and is Group One level with a rating of 121, 2lbs lower than Luxembourg. Completely the wrong price at 20/1 (General).

    A ROYAL ROGUE

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    E/W BET: Duke of Cambridge Stakes (Group Two) – Rogue Millennium @ 12/1 (Betfred)

    I like Prosperous Voyage, and there is much debate about what the ground will be by 3:40 in the afternoon. Prosperous Voyage loves the firm ground, but any cut and she’s vulnerable. Given Ascot had a storm yesterday, it puts me off her. The next best rated is Rogue Millennium. She’s had decent form figures since the turn of the new season, 232, narrowly beaten at York last time out on the firm ground. She won’t mind the ground, and Group Two is at her true level and she’ll give Jumbly a true test on the straight track.

    AN INTELLOGENT BET

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    Handicap Best: Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage H’cap) – Intellogent @ 8/1 (Unibet, 10Bet, Betfred, William Hill)

    Perotto is the favourite, and every punter has said in every preview ‘Perotto is my bet of the week.’ Well, well done tipsters he’s now 7/1. So, it tempts me to look elsewhere. I looked underneath Perotto in the betting and Intellogent stood out. Ran a stormer last year off 105, and lost by half a length. He’s rated 104 this  and that mark that makes him appealing; he’s versatile on all grounds; and, he’s drawn one off the stand side rail in 31. James Doyle has a nice 26% strike rate to back it up.

    Ghaly also caught the eye. Not just in the formbook, but when I saw him in person at York last year. He kept on in a four-runner handicap at York, beating Blue For You by a neck, which was his second run off a massive break. He then beat King Of Conquest, and the race threw up great formlines. He’s on the other side f the track in stall eight, but Saeed bin Suroor had hit a sweet spot, and Oisin Murphy is always eye-catching. Next best at 10/1 (William Hill)

    Chasing Aphrodite also gave off good each-way vibes. Won the trial for this race at the Trials meeting, and the handicapper has raised him four pounds for a length-and-a-half win. Versatile ground-wise, with wins on Good and Good-to-firm ground and Hayley Turner always turns up at Royal Ascot. Prepare for an excitable Ed Chamberlain if Hayley’s victorious. Decent claims at 16/1 (William Hill)

    One more for the Hunt Cup, and Dunum represents good Irish form. Narrowly beaten when favourite in the Emerald Mile, but has been consistent throughtou his career. 1111212 read his form figures and a 4lbs rise will mean nothing to him, having defied 6lb and 9lbs rises before. Bookies have the main Irish raider at 14/1 (10Bet, William Hill, BetUK)

    Selections:

    14:30 – Queen Mary Stakes (Group Two) – Got To Love A Grey @ 10/1 (General), Bundchen e/w @ 16/1 (General)
    15:05 – Kensington Palace Fillies’ H’cap – Adelaise @ 7/1 (General)
    15:40 – Duke of Cambridge Stakes (Group Two) – Jumbly @ 9/4 (General), ROGUE MILLENNIUM E/W @ 12/1 (Betfred)
    16:20 – Prince of Wales’s Stakes (GROUP ONE) – LUXEMBOURG (NAP) @ 9/4 (10Bet, Boylesports, BetUK)
    17:00 – Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage H’cap) – INTELLOGENT @ 8/1 (Unibet, 10Bet, Betfred, William Hill), Ghaly (10/1) Chasing Aphrodite (16/1) & Dunum (14/1) all e/w
    17:35 – Queen’s Vase (Group Two) – Peking Opera @ 6/1 (General)
    18:10 – Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed) – Bombay Bazaar @ 10/1 (General)
  • Royal Ascot Day 2 Tips – The Top Three

    Royal Ascot Day 2 Tips – The Top Three

    Royal Ascot Day 2 is upon us and we will get straight into the selections after looking at yesterday’s results.

    Although the Twitter fancies were good, we made a small loss of 0.9 points yesterday after CALLING THE WIND was placed in the Ascot Stakes to add to the losses of INDESTRUCTIBLE and BOBSLEIGH. That has us on a P&L of 27.75 points profit from 38 points stakes.

    Looking to find pick up tomorrow, let’s get started.

    Duke Of Cambridge Stakes – Queen Aminatu @ 10/1 with Boylesport – 1pt EW

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    Finally, QUEEN AMINATU is going to run.

    Despite being entered a few times after her promising third to Sacred in the Group 3 Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes last time out, connections are now unleashing her at the Berkshire track.

    This filly by Muhaarar has been on my agenda for a while, but the run at Lingfield in May confirmed to me why I liked her so much as she showed great determination and stamina to stay on behind an on-song Sacred, who on her day, can compete in Group 1-level races.

    Although her record on the turf reads 0-6, three of her last five races were successful outings and she will be race fit for tomorrow having raced three races already this year.

    William Haggas’ four-year-old looks like she can step up to the higher levels against the mares and at 10/1 for the Duke Of Cambridge, let’s hope tomorrow is the day.

    Kensington Palace Fillies’ Handicap – Tarrabb @ 9/1 with Boylesport – 1pt EW

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    If I fancy Queen Aminatu, which is a Group 3 contest, then on collateral form, I am also backing TARRABB in the race directly before at 9/1 with Boylesport.

    This Exceed And Excel filly got the better of my previous fancy in a handicap at Haydock when giving away two pounds and has gone on to run well in two handicaps since.

    Fast forward to this season, Owen Burrows’ four-year-old ran a good race on reappearance at Chelmsford under tomorrow’s jockey, William Buick, and that run should mean she’ll be ready for a tilt at Royal Ascot.

    For a Godolphin-bred filly who only made her debut as a three-year-old, like her sire, Exceed And Excel, and damsire, Pivotal, hopefully, she can continue to get better with age and I will be backing her off a mark of 91.

    Royal Hunt Cup – Perotto @ 7/1 with William Hill – 2pts WIN

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    There is no messing around with this fancy; he either wins or he bombs out.

    I put PEROTTO up earlier in the week on my Ante-post Analysis piece, which went live on Friday, and his price has stayed the same at a general 7/1 with William Hill.

    Having won the Britannia Stakes in 2021 off a three-pound higher mark, a small leap of faith is required to hope that Roger Varian’s five-year-old is back to his best, but efforts behind Triple Time last September, a now Group 1 Queen Anne winner, and Chindit last July, a Group 1 Lockinge Stakes runner-up, showed encouragement towards one big run.

    Back on better ground and using his falling handicap mark to his advantage, his claims are obvious for the Royal Hunt Cup, as explained in the Ante-post Analysis piece, and he should run a good race.

  • Royal Ascot | Big-price punts: 20/1 Coventry Stakes hopeful

    Royal Ascot | Big-price punts: 20/1 Coventry Stakes hopeful

     

    As the most famous race meeting in the world arrives once again, it’s time to pick our Royal Ascot punts for the week.

    Just like during Cheltenham, major surprises will often pop up among the 35 races on the slate and punters will be eyeing big-value winners.

    So, with seven trips to come over each of the five days, we have once again scoured the form guide and come up with five well-priced names from each day to consider.

     

    Bobsleigh (Coventry Stakes, Tuesday, 15:05) – 20/1 William Hill

    We’re going early with Tuesday’s punt in the Coventry Stakes.

    Set to be a tasty matinee before the King’s Stand and St. James’s Palace Stakes, Bobsleigh could go well.

    With 17 of the 22 entrants coming into this on the back of a win, finding a winner may prove tricky.

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    However, the in-form Eve Johnson Houghton has had a strong flat season so far and Bobsleigh could give it a very nice sheen.

    Pipping Balon D’or to the Woodcote on Derby Weekend, the 2yo has enjoyed a strong start to his career, now with successive wins as a winning debutante at Brighton in April.

    His most recent win at Epsom was eye-catching at 5/1, but can Bobsleigh slide to another win over 6f?

    At a lofty 20/1, we say he can.

     

    Majestic (Royal Hunt Cup, Wednesday, 17:00) – 20/1 888Sport

    For pick two, one of the big betting races of the week in the Royal Hunt Cup catches the eye for many reasons.

    The favourite rarely wins this contest, so eyes are invited further down the SP list; ours are looking at Majestic.

    Yet to win since changing trainer from Mick Channon to his son Jack, his biggest win to date in the bet365 Cambridgeshire showed ability.

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    That is not to say the four outings this year have been underwhelming; far from it.

    Indeed, after a fourth at Doncaster and a rather disappointing ninth in the Howden on the Rowley Mile, another fourth at the Dante Meeting was followed as an impressive runner-up to Cadillac on Derby Weekend.

    Just waiting to get a clear run, Wednesday may just be a majestic one.

     

    Lumiere Rock (Ribblesdale Stakes, Thursday, 15:40) – 12/1 BoyleSports

    As we move on to Thursday, Al Asifah is the big favourite in the Ribblesdale Stakes for John and Thady Gosden, but for e/w value alone, Lumiere Rock looks a cracking shout.

    The big draw for us comes in the form of the raiding James McDonald.

    Making his annual pilgrimage from Australia, the Kiwi rode the indomitable Nature Strip in the King’s Stand last year.

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    The mount of a filly who has placed in all six career outings, McDonald’s 3yo has pedigree as the daughter of Japanese raider Saxon Warrior, winner of the 2000 Guineas in 2018.

    With just the one win at the Curragh last October, three runner-ups though point to her consistency.

    On UK debut and on the big stage, this Irish youngster has punter appeal.

     

    Quinault (Palace of Holyrood House Stakes, Friday, 18:10) – 12/1 QuinnBet

    We then move to Day 4’s finale sprint race, the Palace of Holyrood House Stakes.

    With 28 runners pencilled in, another wide open contest is on the cards but Quinault might just come out on top.

    Formerly on the books of Charlie Appleby, since gelding last June, trainer Stuart Williams has had to wait for a winning run but boy, it arrived and how.

     

    A first win on the AW at Chelmsford back in April, Class 5 victory on the turf followed at Brighton.

    Back-to-back victories at Newmarket then came over 6f, and he arrives at Royal Ascot looking for an impressive sixth win-in-a-row after a narrow decision at York.

    Though Quinault is yet to win over this shorter trip, the German has matured beyond his youth.

    At a 12/1 price, looks the most interesting of Ascot punts.

     

    Raatea (Wokingham Stakes, Saturday, 17:00) – 25/1 BetUK

    For the last of our Royal Ascot punts, we juggled a few names but came up with a contender in the Wokingham Stakes; Raatea.

    A late mover on to our radar after a tidy trip in the SkyBet Reverence earlier this month, Julie Camacho’s 6yo got his first win in almost a year.

    However, in Raatea’s prior outing in the Howden this term, the signs of improvement were there from last season.

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    Well in touch with the leading pack with 1f to go but fading to fifth, another 6f outing at Haydock followed with a a surprise victory at 25/1.

    Set to go off at a similar price to end the week, the very same trip can prove his consistency.

    Now in changed colours, if the going remains Good to Firm, Raatea has real chances.

  • Royal Ascot Day One: Selections and Naps

    Royal Ascot Day One: Selections and Naps

    It’s that time of year. The sun is shining, the suits are hired, it must be Royal Ascot. Top hats galore and top-class action from all around the world. Australia and America join in today, along with British and Irish. Day One is set to be a cracker. Here are my selections and naps for the one of the best meetings of the Summer.

    Scroll down for Selections on all seven races, live on ITV Racing and Sky Sports Racing.

    PADDINGTON TO BEAR THE BRUNT

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    NAP: St James’s Palace Stakes (GROUP ONE) – PADDINGTON @ 5/2 (William Hill, BetVictor)

    There are many races this week which punters are saying are ‘the races of the week’. This is one of them, with the English and Irish Guineas winners facing off. Chaldean is 3lbs higher than his Irish counter-part, 119 to 116. But there is one thing that lets the Frankel colt down. The draw. Since the turn of the millennium, four winners have come from stall one. Many horses are boxed in on the rail and haven’t room to move. Paddington is drawn wide in eight, and if he can get a better start he had in the Irish Guineas, he’ll be hard to get past. Read more on his chances on Best Of Bets.

    Keep an eye out for Indestructible, the Craven winner. He’s already tipped up on Best of Bets, and he isn’t without hope. He underperformed in the English Guineas but has been kept fresh for this race. Firm ground will suit him, given he won by five-and-a-half lengths as a two-year-old on the surface, and a good outside draw in stall nine. 50/1 (General) seems overpriced.

    And don’t discount Isaac Shelby, who’s a decent each-way price of 9/1 (General). He won the Greenham Stakes, where Chaldean unseated. He almost made up for it when narrowly losing in the French Guineas. The ground will be a little firmer, and could go well, with a half-decent draw in stall three.

    PERFECT STORM IN THE COVENTRY

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    E/W BET: Coventry Stakes (Group Two) – Cuban Thunder @ 50/1 (Betfred, William Hill)

    I feel Cuban Thunder is overlooked. He’s experienced enough with two races under his belt, including a win last time out, which came in the Frank Whittle Partnership Conditions Stakes. Lusail, Repartee and Queen Olly are recent winners of the race who haven’t had bad careers since then. Dominic Ffrench Davis has a good record when prepping Amo Racing’s two-year-olds. Kevin Stott has chosen to ride Bucanero Fuerte, but Rossa Ryan isn’t a bad substitute. Stand-side draw might be where the winners come on the straight course this week, worth to keep an eye on.

    MOORE AND MULLINS TO BRING IT

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    Handicap Best: Ascot Stakes (Heritage Handicap) – Bring On The Night @ 9/4 (Unibet, Betfred, William Hill)

    Willie Mullins is operating at a 57% strike rate. Over the jumps, in the off season. He’s a genius. He has a good record at the Royal meeting as well with four winners in this race. Those four winners came in a period of six years between 2012 – 2018. Ryan Moore was on three of them. Moore is currently operating at a 33% strike rate and has also won leading rider at Royal Ascot nine times. Bring On The Night has been raised 4lbs since last year’s second, and hasn’t been seen since. Bring on the Ascot Stakes I say!

    Keep an eye out for Themaxwecan who loves the firmer ground. He raced in last year’s race, finishing midfield off a mark of 97. After that race he went and won a race at Ascot over two miles on firm ground with Jamie Spencer on board. This time he’s 92, 5lbs lower than last year’s mark. He hasn’t got a great record over two miles, but with a good mark and good conditions he could certainly get a place at 40/1 (General)

     

    Selections:

    14:30 – Queen Anne Stakes (GROUP ONE) – Modern Games @ 9/4 (Unibet, William Hill), Chindit e/w @ 14/1 (William Hill)
    15:05 – Coventry Stakes (Group Two) – Givemethebeatboys @ 4/1 (Unibet, William Hill, BetUK), CUBAN THUNDER E/W @ 50/1 (Betfred, William Hill)
    15:40 – King’s Stand Stakes (GROUP ONE) – Highfield Princess @ 5/2 (Unibet), Twilight Gleaming e/w @ 25/1 (Boylesports)

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    16:20 – St James’s Palace Stakes (GROUP ONE) – PADDINGTON (NAP) @ 5/2 (William Hill, BetVictor), Indestructible e/w @ 50/1 (General)
    17:00 – Ascot Stakes (Heritage H’cap) BRING ON THE NIGHT @ 9/4 (Unibet, Betfred, William Hill), Themaxwecan e/w @ 40/1 (General)
    17:35 – Wolfreton Stakes (Listed) – Francesco Clemente @ 11/2 (Betfred, BetVictor)
    18:10 – Copper Horse Handicap – Absurde @ 6/1 (Betfred)

    The very best of luck!

  • Royal Ascot Day 1 Tips – The Top Three

    Royal Ascot Day 1 Tips – The Top Three

    Five days. 35 races. Five articles.

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    Royal Ascot 2023 is upon us and despite my sheer excitement for the first flag fall, the nerves for my daily articles are in the back of my mind.

    Over the last five weeks, from 32 points stakes, 28.65 points of profit have been achieved at a return of investment of just under 90%.

    That is a lovely feeling, but the Royal meeting is the true acid test and I’m taking it in my stride, approaching the challenge head-on.

    So, let’s dive into Tuesday’s The Top Three article on Royal Ascot Day 1.

     

    Coventry Stakes (3:05) – Bobsleigh @ 20/1 with William Hill – 0.5pts EW

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    I feel almost like an uninvited guest to an ultra-exclusive party by talking about a horse that isn’t Asadna or River Tiber in the Coventry Stakes.

    The story of the week on Racing Twitter has been the debate surrounding these two horses involving some of the biggest profiles on the app and of course, a few people took liberties in creating some funny tweets.

    But steering away from this and the top two in the market, I believe BOBSLEIGH at 20/1 with William Hill offers up a little bit of value.

    Like River Tiber and Givemethebeatboys, the two-year-old by Elzaam is unbeaten in two runs and already has the experience of performing on the biggest stage, winning the opening contest on Epsom Oaks day.

    Although Haatem’s misfortune at the starting stalls benefited him, Richard Hannon’s thrice-raced colt headed for home first over Bobsleigh yet found himself comfortably passed in the final furlongs.

    Jockey Charlie Bishop was always confident on his mount despite being six lengths off the pace at the three-furlong pole and I think that a first start on an arrow-straight track could see him continue to progress as at both Epsom and Brighton, he showed inexperience around a bend.

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    There are bigger talking horses in the race who could have a bigger potential, but as for right here, right now, Eve Johnson Houghton’s runner could be one to cause a small upset in the first two-year-old race of the meeting.

     

    St James’s Palace Stakes (4:20) – Indestructible @ 50/1 with BetVictor – 1pt EW

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    If you thought 20/1 was big about Bobsleigh, the 50/1 about Indestructible in the feature race of the day is massive in my eyes.

    When you consider that, Kevin Stott, his rider, admitted that “nothing really went his way in the 2000 Guineas as he was bumped out of the stalls, got in behind horses, and he didn’t love the ground” in his latest William Hill blog, I think forgiving his last run is acceptable.

    Then just a small look back to his win in the Craven Stakes victory shows that both The Foxes and Mostabshir won on their next start with the latter now a general 9/1 shot for the same race.

    Although Chaldean beat him twice as a two-year-old, soft ground contributed to his second loss and the other saw them separated by just half a length, so the price difference is too big.

    In that same article quoted above, Stott went on to say: “I think Indestructible has got a massive race in him at Ascot – I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets very close.”

    Bold words for a 50/1 shot and it’s something I can’t get enough of on Royal Ascot Day 1.

     

    Ascot Stakes (5:00) – Calling The Wind @ 12/1 with Boylesport – 1.5pt EW

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    My final fancy of the three on Royal Ascot Day 1 comes in the big handicap of the day.

    Without recycling words from Friday’s Ante-post Analysis piece, CALLING THE WIND provides a good betting angle in the Ascot Stakes Handicap.

    The one piece of information that I didn’t have on Friday is the draw from this Authorized gelding and out of stall 13, there should be no worries about him getting a fair trip through the 2m4f contest.

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    Once rated 105, Richard Hughes’ seven-year-old runs off 99 on Tuesday and with Billy Loughnane’s claim on his side as well, that’s a mark of 96, six pounds below his second in the valuable November Handicap at Doncaster in November 2021.

    Back at a fairer track of Ascot and on better ground, the chance of Calling The Wind is obvious with his falling handicap mark and having been as big as 25/1 ante-post, it seems the market also agrees.

  • The Royal Ascot Treble: Tahiyra

    The Royal Ascot Treble: Tahiyra

     

    With Tuesday out of the spotlight, for the third leg of our Royal Ascot Treble the lights fall on Friday’s Coronation Stakes.

    Twenty-four hours on from Ladies’ Day, the fillies strut their stuff over 1m with nine runners on the slate.

    Having missed out in the 1000 Guineas to Mawj, is revenge on the cards at the Royal Meeting for Tahiyra?

     

    Winning pedigree

    Like many of the youngsters on show this week, it has been a whirlwind past year for Tahiyra.

    Having put down an early marker with a five-length win on debut at Galway, winning the Moyglare in just her second outing – a Group 1 no less – highlighted the filly’s burgeoning class.

    Taking a two-for-two record across the Irish Sea, the 1000 Guineas was always a big task, but the step-up in trip almost proved a non-issue. Almost.

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    Bouncing back on home soil in the Irish 1000 Guineas, defeat to Mawj would still have been raw, but there is the sense that the Coronation Stakes come at the perfect time.

    Indeed, as the sister of St. James’s Palace Stakes contender Paddington, Tahiyra could make Siyouni a very happy parent.

     

    Will Mawj prevail?

    Having spent the winter in Dubai, Mawj looks a more complete package; her win at Newmarket proved so.

    It’s now three on the spin in the colours of Godolphin, after a Meydan double to begin the year.

    But when faced with a familiar foe once more – one who could become quite the rival in the coming months and years – will Saeed Bin Suroor be celebrating again?

    Whilst on paper it looks a straight shootout, Sounds of Heaven could yet throw a spanner in the works.

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    A horse in-form, victory here at a likely double-figure price will be number three on the bounce.

    Winning at York last time out at an SP of 14/1 booked Sounds of Heaven a spot here and if Tahiyra has strong lineage, so too does this filly.

    The daughter of Kingman who won all but one of his career races – including a Greenham, a St. James’s Palace and Sussex Stakes – might now see his own offspring grab the limelight.

    Make no mistake, Sounds of Heaven could challenge.

  • The Royal Ascot Treble: Paddington

    The Royal Ascot Treble: Paddington

     

    As a meaty Day 1 of Royal Ascot rolls on, the King’s Stand is followed swiftly by what looks to be a classic head-to-head in the St. James’s Palace Stakes.

    Spurred by the departing Frankie Dettori, Chaldean will be the popular choice of many but Paddington may just spoil the party.

    Fresh from Irish 2000 Guineas glory, can the 3yo give Aidan O’Brien a ninth race victory?

     

    Going full circle?

    Paddington has had a rousing eight months.

    Making his debut last September, the son of Siyouni picked up his first win at the Curragh a month later over 7f to close out last term.

    Staying at the same trip to begin this season, Paddington had not lost a beat over the winter, going back-to-back at Naas.

    With eyes on the bigger races, victory in the Coolmore back at the beginning of May then saw his stock rise.

    His value then sky-rocketed with said two-length Irish Guineas win.

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    Making a return to Ascot nine months on, all looks in place.

    However, his debut outing on the Berkshire racecourse could still be a lingering factor.

    Indeed, then fifth as the mount of Ryan Moore, it has been a flawless tale since, but Paddington does not yet have a win on home British soil – a statistic both horse, jockey and their trainer will be keen to remedy.

    So is Paddington’s trip about to come full circle?

    AP O’Brien knows hows to win this race and just like with the Guineas, dominates at the trip.

    Circus Maximus – also ridden by Ryan Moore – brought the spoils in 2019; Paddington looks poised to deliver.

     

    Cicero may reign on parade

    Aside from the sizeable threat of 2000 Guineas winner Chaldean, Cicero’s Gift stands as perhaps the other main contender.

    With an unbeaten record in three, Charlie Hills’ promising youngster has improved from debut at Newbury, to last month’s latest victory at Goodwood.

    Dominant over the 1m distance, can Kieran Shoemark make the step-up in calibre in their first Grade 1 race?

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    The other name that could thwart Paddington is Paul and Oliver Cole’s Royal Scotsman.

    A late money fancy in both 2000 Guineas races, the extra 3f in both proved a step too far for the green colt but will they prove learning curves?

    Set to go off a fairly big price once more and though yet to truly impress at Ascot, Royal Scotsman was, however, third in last year’s Coventry.

    If the market price tumbles into Tuesday, keep an eye on this spritely young thing.

  • The Royal Ascot Treble: Highfield Princess

    The Royal Ascot Treble: Highfield Princess

     

    As the hours tick down to this year’s Royal Ascot, the withdrawal of Desert Crown through injury has put a dampener on proceedings.

    So without the potential star of the show, who else could fill the hooves of Sir Michael Stoute’s colt?

    Highfield Princess would appear a prime candidate in The King’s Stand.

     

    Princess to Queen

    As we have said on many, many occasions, Highfield Princess may just be our favourite horse around right now.

    What a mare she is.

    The French phenom has transitioned effortlessly from spritely youngster to filly and now a 6yo pro.

    Last year was her own.

    Winning five of seven contests, it was victory at Newcastle last April however, that kick-started a run of dominance.

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    Taking the Duke of York at the Dante Meeting, Highfield Princess lined up in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes with strong hopes.

    But as Naval Crown stormed home at a massive 33/1, the Princess was not on song.

    Then going on to seal three wins on the trot, a trip to Keeneland for the Breeders Cup Turf Sprint ended her year in disappointment via an astonishing 43/1 ride by Caravel.

    Highfield Princess could console herself after a stunning season; but having lost out in the big two, there was a tinge of what might have been.

     

    Royal Ascot double

    Which makes a third trip to Royal Ascot this year all the more important.

    On her return run at York last month, many would’ve expected a win but to come runner-up whilst shedding the winter rust was no less impressive.

    After all, as statistics prove, Highfield Princess only gets better as the year goes on.

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    In her 12 career wins, only three have arrived in the first half of the calendar year.

    When it comes to Ascot, Highfield Princess has only won once in four outings, however, the win was the Buckingham Palace two years ago.

     

    Drama afoot?

    Highfield Princess will likely go off the marginal favourite, but the mare will be kept busy by a number of the fillies.

    Not least the shortest-price Australian raider, Coolangatta.

    On her first race away from home, the 3yo of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace comes here off a win at Flemington.

    In good to firm conditions, Coolangatta has five career wins and her last two wins have come over the same 5f trip.

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    Closer to home, Karl Burke will also be optimistic of his chances with last year’s Queen Mary victor, Dramatised.

    Runner-up in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf last November, the Irish youngster was an impressive winner of the Temple at Haydock last time out.

    Returning to another Australian hope, Cannonball will look to follow in the footsteps of the electric Nature Strip.

    Romping to victory in the King’s Stand 12 months ago, trainer Chris Waller was the toast of sprint racing on the other side of the world.

    This year, Peter and Paul Snowdon make the trip with genuine hopes on fast ground – provided significant rains do not come.

     

    After the King’s Stand 2023 had a dominant winner, this year’s edition should be a good deal closer.

    Highfield Princess had an off-day at Royal Ascot 12 months ago, but having planned for this very race, this classy lady could get her big win.

  • 33/1 Royal Ascot 2023 Tip – Ante-post analysis

    33/1 Royal Ascot 2023 Tip – Ante-post analysis

    Royal Ascot 2023. The premier Flat racing meeting of the year is only a few days away and with plenty of questions requiring answers on the track, I’ve taken a deep dive into the big races to provide five, yes five, ante-post selections.

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    The five-day meeting is a showcase of the sport’s best worldwide talent and this year should be no different.

    I’m excited for it to start and without any hesitation, let’s begin!

     

    Craven winner overpriced?

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    At 33/1 with BetVictor for a Craven winner after running poorly on ground that wouldn’t have suited, INDESTRUCTIBLE looks overpriced to me in the St James’s Palace Stakes.

    Karl Burke’s colt by Kodiac was very impressive at Newmarket in April having made most of his running from the middle of the track on a day where the far side rail looked to be an advantage.

    Furthermore, in the opening furlong of the Craven, they were a bit slow, but by the time the three-pole rolled around, Kevin Stott was unable to stop his mount from pulling to the front at an even pace, so if the likely pace angle of Mostabshir sets a nice pace we could see a better performance from Indestructible.

    And looking at that Craven form alone, The Foxes in second would go on to win the Dante Stakes at York and Mostabshir, the 7/1 fourth-favourite for the St James’s Palace, was back in fifth place before he bolted up in a novice race at York one month later.

    Of course, I respect the two Guineas winners at the top of the market, more so Chaldean over Paddington, and I think GALERON can be dangerous for Charlie Hills after a promising run in the Irish 2000 Guineas, but at the top of my list for value is Amo Racing’s charge at 33/1 with BetVictor.

     

    Calling on a former fancy

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    Last month’s Chester Cup was a near miss for my two BestOfBets.com selections. Call My Bluff was a good third behind the winner, Metier, and CALLING THE WIND looked like an eyecatcher in sixth.

    I’m siding with one of them again for the Ascot Stakes at 5:00 on Tuesday and it is the latter who gets my vote at 14/1 with BetVictor.

    Last time out, Jamie Spence gave Richard Hughes’ seven-year-old a canny ride to be one of the last off the bridle at Chester, though he wasn’t able to make this count as he found himself in a pocket around the bend.

    Once a gap opened up, he showed a good turn of foot, but Rajinsky moving across him in the final few strides didn’t help and he eased up to the line.

    Despite this great run, the handicapper dropped him one pound for the run and with Billy Loughnane on board next week, he will effectively run off a four-pound lower mark.

    Furthermore, better ground might see him at his best as his third in last year’s Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot and third to Coltrane at Sandown after that suggests he is versatile.

    Calling The Wind is my first handicap bet of the five at 14/1, though he isn’t the last.

     

    Big enough price

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    I start this fancy off with a tone of annoyance.

    Earlier this week, I looked at the early entry handicap races and PEROTTO at 12/1 was an attractive bet in the Royal Hunt Cup.

    Since then, top tipsters Paul Kealy and Rory Delargy have put him up and his price has halved to 7/1 with BetVictor, however, as the title suggests, the price is big enough to still back him.

    In his two years since his Britannia Stakes win in 2021, Roger Varian’s New Bay gelding has yet to return to the winners’ enclosure, which is a small worry, but his runs behind Baaeed, Megallan, Benbatl, My Oberon, Triple Time, and Sir Busker is very good form.

    Now running off his last winning mark of 99, he will be primed for one of the feature handicap contests.

     

    Experience to the fore

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    Moving on to the final day of action at Royal Ascot, I’m taking a chance with EMARAATY ANA at 40/1 with BetVictor to upset the Australian brigade at the top of the market.

    Although he is seven, Kevin Ryan’s Shamardal gelding still showed plenty of life at the Breeders’ Cup when second in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on firm ground over five-and-a-half furlongs.

    The Group 1 winner has only run at Royal Ascot once in his career when disappointing in last year’s renewal of the Jubilee Stakes, however, his record when running after a 50+ day break is 1/11 so the run at York last month should have him set for a big run this time around.

    Although Highfield Princess, if she turns up, has already beaten him at York over five furlongs, Emaraaty Ana was actually ahead of her when they last met in that Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint and if they were to meet over six furlongs, that would play to his strengths.

    He may be coming towards the end of his career, but recent runs suggest he is as good as ever and 40/1 is a massive price about Emaraaty Ana.

     

    The best bet

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    And finally, in one of the concluding races of the week, ORAZIO is the NAP at 8/1 with BetVictor in the Wokingham Stakes.

    The four-year-old by Caravaggio was very impressive over course and distance last time out when showing a good turn of foot to comfortably defeat his seven other rivals.

    That Ascot performance directly followed a gutsy effort at Newmarket the month before so he couldn’t be in any better form.

    The promising thing about his recent wins is that it obviously took the yard a bit of time to get him right as shown by his 17-month break from the track at the end of 2021, so now he is winning with confidence, he is finally showing everyone what his £215,000 yearling price tag promised.

    The better ground shouldn’t be a worry and Orazio is the NAP of Royal Ascot.