Race 1: Norfolk Stakes
The Group 2 Norfolk Stakes is run over 5f at Royal Ascot and a total of ten 2yos will go to post in what looks a cracking renewal. I am not usually one for putting up horses at single digit prices, but Vintage Brut is a horse I rate really highly and I think his win last time at Sandown was extremely impressive, even more so than his eye catching wide margin debut victory at Thirsk for Tim Easterby and David Allan.
Nothing went right for him at Sandown four weeks ago in the Listed National Stakes and 2F out he looked to be trapped in a pocket on the rail with very little hope of getting out. However, when the gap did appear the horse showed great courage to go through it and he quickened up well to score by a neck (Konchek 3rd). The 4th home that day was far from disgraced in the Coventry and at odds of 5/1 I think Vintage Brut is the one they all have to beat.
STEVOS’ SELECTION: VINTAGE BRUT @ 5/1 NAP
Race 2: Hampton Court Stakes
The second race on Day 3 of the Royal meeting at Ascot is the 10f Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes and a maximum field of sixteen 3yos will go to post. Last year’s Solario Stakes at Sandown has served me well so far this season, with classic winners Masar and Romanised filling the first two places in that race. Vintager was only a couple of lengths behind the runner up Romanised in 5th and I think this son of Mastercraftsman could go well after a fine effort behind Without Parole in a Listed heat last time.
He was only 2L behind the John Gosden horse in 3rd and he had Stephensons Rocket another 1.5L behind him in 5th. There is no shortage of stamina on the dam side of his pedigree and I think the step up in trip from a mile to 10f will suit. The good to firm ground is an unknown, but his dam won on it and his sire wasn’t half bad on quick ground either. David Menuisier is a trainer I have a lot of time for and hopefully Vintager rewards each way support at odds of 14/1.
STEVOS’ SELECTION: VINTAGER E/W @ 14/1
Race 3: Ribblesdale Stakes
Aidan O’Brien had a barren opening day at Royal Ascot, but he bounced back by firing in a 1-2-3 in the Queen’s Vase on Wednesday. He supplies four of the ten runners in this 12f Group 2 Fillies’ contest but they could have their work cut out to beat Wild Illusion. Charlie Appleby’s filly is streets ahead on official ratings with a mark of 113 and even with a 3lb penalty she is definitely the one to beat.
Sun Maiden is the most unexposed filly in the field and she went into a lot of notebooks after her spectacular performance in a 10f maiden at Salisbury last month. The form of that race looks questionable though, and she is short enough in the betting given what she has actually achieved. One at a nice price that could run well is Dancing Brave Bear. She travelled best in the Musidora (10f gd/fm), she is having just her fourth start and she should stay 12f. At odds of 16/1 she represents each way value against the favourite.
STEVOS’ SELECTION: DANCING BRAVE BEAR E/W @ 16/1
Race 4: Gold Cup
Nine of the best stayers in the world will battle it out in the Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup over 20f on Thursday. Order Of St George has proved to be an absolute legend of a horse, even by Ballydoyle standards, and it is no surprise to see the 6yo son of Galileo at the head of the market. He didn’t produce his best ever run when winning a Listed heat at Leopardstown last time, but I would imagine that was a stepping stone towards today and with no Big Orange in the field this year he is the one they all have to beat.
Stradivarius is another fascinating contender and he has done nothing but improve since the start of last season. He has some seriously strong form in the book and he could give the likely favourite plenty to think about. The rest of the field will be battling it out for minor money, and Torcedor could be the one to grab 3rd. However, my recommended bet for this race is a reverse forecast with the two market leaders as I think they are in a different league to the opposition.
STEVOS’ SELECTION: ORDER OF ST GEORGE/STRADIVARIUS REV FCAST
Race 5: Britannia Stakes
The fifth race on Day 3 is the Britannia Handicap, a mile contest for 3yos that has attracted a maximum field of 30 horses. Small stakes are always advisable in races of this nature and make sure to shop around for extra place specials. Horse drawn middle to high fared best in the Hunt Cup on Wednesday, and I think James Cook could go well for Donnacha and Aidan O’Brien from stall 22, the same starting berth as Settle For Bay who won the Hunt Cup.
This son of Galileo has failed to make the desired impact at pattern level on his last two outings over 10f, but he wasn’t disgraced behind Crossed Baton at Epsom on his seasonal reappearance. He was only 2L behind Dee Ex Bee and that horse chased home Masar in the Derby. He got very warm before his next outing at York and he ran no sort of race, but he is a better horse than he showed that day.
He drops back in trip to a mile and his only start at this distance resulted in his maiden win at Leopardstown last season. His dam Red Evie was a very smart performer at the trip, as were a couple of his siblings (Found, Magical Dream, Best In The World). Donnacha O’Brien was 2nd and 3rd on both his rides for his Dad on Wednesday, and hopefully he gets his first win on the board on James Cook. At odds of 33/1 he is the each way selection.
STEVOS’ SELECTION: JAMES COOK E/W @ 33/1 NB
Race 6: King George V Stakes
Another minefield in the last, as 19 horses line up for the King George V handicap over 12f. I am going to take a chance on one at a decent price here, and I think Occupy could go well for Ralph Beckett and Harry Bentley. This 3yo son of Declaration of War surprised a few with a decisive win on debut at 25/1 at Kempton last season, and while the form is far from outstanding he had a few solid horses now rated in the 80s behind.
He disappointed on his return to action at Newmarket (10f gd) but he left that well behind when running a nice race behind subsequent winner Raa Atoll at Nottingham (10f gd). On pedigree the step up to 12f looks sure to suit as his Galileo dam is a sister to former top class 12f performer Telescope. He hasn’t got a bad draw in stall 8, his opening mark of 88 looks workable and at odds of 25/1 he could give each way players a good run for their money.
STEVOS’ SELECTION: OCCUPY E/W @ 25/1
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