Amazingly I really am ahead of the game this week thanks to the current wonderment of 72 hour declarations here in the UK, though that does leave me with the possibilities of last minute corrections should there be any dramatic changes to the going at Royal Ascot over the days ahead (12/1 winner yesterday following 14/1 and 11/8 winners Tuesday by the way).
Another seven high class and competitive looking races await the unwary punter and again, I will take a brief look at each race, though obviously with no guarantees that I get anywhere near to a winner. We open proceedings with a ten furlong or so handicap for three-year-olds and I find that races such as these are particularly tricky to fathom. Those horses who have had a run this season look worthy of a second glance with their likely fitness advantage, possibly headed by Acquitted if you follow the money. Trained in Newmarket by Hugo Palmer and to be ridden by Ryan Moore he finished runner-up to the well regarded Palace Pier at Newcastle over the mile and if he gets this trip (there is enough stamina on the dam’s side to suggest he will), then he will take plenty of beating. Grand Rock is another that catches the eye and should go well for William Haggas if fit enough with Cieren Fallon’s three-pound claim an eye-catching jockey booking, and he could run a big race at a bigger price for those who like to oppose the jolly.
The World, his wife, and his dog all seem to have heard positive things about the well-being of Fox Tal ahead of the Listed Wolferton Stakes at 1.50pm and he ought to go well for the Andrew Balding stable, though it is noted that the trainer’s strike rate has started dropping off over the last week or so. His fourth to Magical on unsuitably soft ground in the Champion Stakes last year still reads well and he ought to be far better on this surface (assuming the rains stays away), and if he is fit enough first time out then he will take all the beating. Dubai Warrior has always been held in high regard at the Gosden yard and he does look overpriced at 14/1, though it is interesting to see that Frankie Dettori is on board Crossed Baton for the same stable and you have to wonder whether the popular Italian would have had the choice of mounts making the five-year-old the each way alternative albeit it very narrowly.
Personally, I have always had a “thing” for seven furlong contests, so the Jersey Stakes is my highlight of the day - the blend of speed with a touch of stamina doesn’t suit every horse. There is every chance that Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum’s 750,000 Guineas purchase King Leonidas is a class above all of these as he puts his unbeaten record on the line on just his third start. The Gosden yard remain in great form with a close to one in three success rate bettered only by Frankie’s win record from the saddle. He may well make fools of all of us and toy with the opposition here, but Mister Snowdon has a similar profile at over three times the price. Richard Hughes was a superb jockey and is gradually making a success of his new career as trainer while the Lethal Force gelding is also unbeaten after impressive wins in lesser company at Wolverhampton and Yarmouth. At 20/1 he could be the one to serve it up to the likely favourite and he will carry a little of my money each way at that price.
The Chesham Stakes comes next for two-year-olds and a disappointing nine runners are set to do battle less any last minute withdrawals. I won’t be betting here for sure with far too many unknowns but if my arm was twisted behind my back or I was given a charity bet, then Battleground would be my choice, if only because Ballydoyle could have sent any one of a huge number of bluebloods here, yet rely on the son of Warfront. We can only assume he has improved considerably for his debut fifth, with First Prophet my idea of his main rival after a decent success first time out for trainer Charlie Fellowes.
On to the Gold Cup and all hail Stradivarius as he looks for his hat-trick in this once a year spectacle. He has beaten market rival Cross Counter too many times to expect that form to be turned around here, and after a good third over an inadequate trip to put him straight, even I cannot oppose the odds on shot. A classy stayer it seems sad to think his future may well be as a National Hunt sire, but that’s the way the racing world is today with speed the way to the big money, but he is what he is and as a fan we should just be grateful he remains in training as a six-year-old.
The suggestion is I may have still had a full head of hair the last time I found the winner of the Britannia Handicap (4.10pm) and I have little confidence that will be changing in 2020. Starcat was last seen being sent off an 80/1 chance before coming home a twelve length seventh from a bad draw in the 2000 Guineas with the likes of Arizona in his wake, and he should really appreciate this drop in to handicap company. A rating of 94 looks generous with Arizona rated 116 and although I am quite aware we cannot take that one run literally, it does suggest he has a decent chance of a place at the very least.
Fillies only for the next handicap as the day gets tougher by the minute, and if you are a favourite backer, then good luck with African Dream who certainly looks well handicapped off a mark of 80. She could make the most of that under Kieran O’Neill but in an eighteen runner field that price looks like daylight robbery and I would prefer to be on Huboor at 16/1 just in case I get lucky. She looked all at sea on the track at Lingfield but will be much happier over the straight mile here, and with improvement looking likely and Jim Crowley in the saddle, we should at least get a good run for our money to round off the card.
Tired of reading? – you can hear mine and Ron Robinson’s Royal Ascot opinions for days one to three here https://www.postracing.co.uk/2020/06/15/ron-and-sean-discuss-days-1-2-and-3-of-royal-ascot-2020/ free of charge, of course.
Sean’s Suggestions:
Acquitted each-way 1.15pm Royal Ascot Thursday
Mister Snowdon each-way 2.25pm Royal Ascot Thursday
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