The horse racing broadcaster offers his best bets for each race on Thursday at Royal Ascot, including the centrepiece of the meeting, the Gold Cup.
On to the middle day of Royal Ascot, where the emphasis switches more towards stamina with the Gold Cup being one of four races on the Round Course. The first day emphasised perfectly why this can be so tricky for jockeys in big fields to negotiate. Heading up from Swinley Bottom, several horses look to be in what are usually ideal positions three or four back on the rail, only to find their exit routes to the left blocked as others sweep up on the outside. While the odd one may be able to negotiate the leaders dropping back into their lap on the inner, there are several others who in such competitive races find their chances ended by a bump or not being able to pick their way through the traffic.
14:30 Norfolk Stakes
No such issues in the first race, the Group 2 Norfolk for two-year-olds over the straight 6f. Afjan provides one of the best French juvenile chances of the week here after impressing on debut at Chantilly, while Comical Point did likewise when looking very professional to score at Salisbury. It is, however, hard to get away from NAVAL LIGHT 5/1 (14:30 Ascot), an expensive breeze up horse. He finished strongly on his debut at Beverley after conceding first run to the winner Old Is Gold, who also had a run under his belt. A year ago, Karl Burke had saddled Shareholder to win that very race before coming on to win here, and the leading domestic juvenile trainer of the season so far (17/47, A/E ratio 1.37 at the commencement of Royal Ascot) can repeat the feat here.
15:05 King George V Stakes
The first of the Round Course races is the three-year-olds’ 1m 4f King George V Handicap. While at first glance the outside gate may appear a negative for DAIQUIRI BAY 20/1 (15:05 Ascot), it should ensure that he is dropped in with a view to pulling out up the centre for the home run. Alan King does not have the string in terms of numbers that he used to, but this has masked what has been quite a productive last month (9/41 in May, A/E 1.64) and, like many in the field, this son of New Bay looks likely to be suited by the step up to 12 furlongs.
15:40 Ribblesdale Stakes
This year’s three-year-old fillies don’t strike me as vintage bunch, and the Ribblesdale reflects this. LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL 8/1 (15:40 Ascot) represents one of the better form lines through her second to Falakeyah, who all being well will line up in the Coronation Stakes on Friday and looked a potential jewel in the crown when winning the Pretty Polly. The decision to bypass the Oaks is in Life Is Beautiful’s favour and she doesn’t meet a horse of Falakeyah’s potential here.
16:20 Gold Cup
Kyprios’ absence from the Gold Cup may see the crown pass from one Ballydoyle stayer to another courtesy of Illinois, but it also opens the door for a few of those who have been repelled by Kyprios in recent renewals. Best of those looks to be TRAWLERMAN 15/8 (16:20 Ascot), whose no-nonsense style was typified by his return win at Sandown where he made the running and gradually drew the sting from his rivals. The week did not start well for Godolphin with trouble in-running for Notable Speech and Ruling Court sweating buckets beforehand. At the time of writing on Wednesday morning, Charlie Appelby now has a losing streak of nearly three years and over 25 runners at the meeting, and he must set out round the M25 each day fearing traffic jams. Hopefully Trawlerman can signal a change of fortunes by winning the centrepiece race of the meeting.
17:00 Britannia Stakes
The day closes with three fiendishly difficult races, none more so than the Brittania over the straight mile for the three-year-olds. Clive Cox has had a quiet start to the season but things have been picking up, and FEARNOT 11/1 (17:00 Ascot) was the catalyst when scoring here in May under similarly fast conditions. He has not been missed by the handicapper in being raised 10lbs, but that has at least allowed him to make the line-up in a race full of potential improvers.
17:35 Hampton Court Stakes
Back to the Round Course next with the Group 3 10f Hampton Court. The key line of form could be the Gallinule in Ireland, where first past the post REYENZI 16/1 (17:35 Ascot) was demoted to third behind another of today’s runners, Emit. Reyenzi really impressed with the way he made his ground that day but spoilt it by veering right and causing considerable trouble. It was only his third career start and rider Ben Coen will now be a little more alert to the possibility and have his whip in his left hand. He appeals as one to come with a strong run up the middle based on the turn of foot he showed that day, and both he and Emit look too big in the market. The race also features a really nice young horse in Jackknife, but he is a big, raw individual and stall 3 may make it far harder for him to get a run.
18:10 Buckingham Palace Stakes
The day closes with the 7f Golden Gates, a handicap where one of two previous winners – English Oak and Witch Hunter – could well win it again. It would also be no surprise if Northern Express ran well, with Michael Dods’ yard one to keep an eye on over the next few weeks having ended a frustratingly long losing spell with a double at Thirsk on Tuesday. A newer kid on the block, though, is GLENEAGLE BAY 11/2 (18:10 Ascot) for Stephen Thorne, who has made a very promising start to his training career (21/115, A/E 1.17) since taking out his license last October. Gleneagle Bay ran a very creditable third in the Victoria Cup, after which he was purchased by Amo Racing, so a big run here could have a significant impact on his trainer’s fledgling career.
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