The second day of Royal Ascot comes around on Wednesday night, where the feature race is the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (2000m), featuring one of the best in the world in Cracksman.
Race 1. (23:30) Queen Mary Stakes 1000m
Clive Cox won this race last year and I think he can win it again via 17 Shades Of Blue (Bet Now: $5.00). Debuted at this track/distance back on May 11 and she absolutely bolted in under Adam Kirby, who is riding in super form at the moment, and the form out of that win has been very sharp. Big tick that she’s already won here and in terms of the English/Irish runners, she’s the number one seed IMO.
1 Chelsea Cloisters (Bet Now: $2.87) has to be seriously respected. Wesley Ward trains this filly who debuted at Keeneland back in April over 900m and she absolutely bolted in, showing good speed to lead from the inside gate and then when clicked up, she went into another gear and blew them away. No qualms with 1000m and is in the right stable.
11 Kurious (Bet Now: $17.00) is a Kuroshio filly who started $10 when debuting over 1000m at Sandown and despite the market saying she’d struggle to win, she showed good speed throughout to lead and fight hard to get the win. More depth here, but plenty to like about the debut win and she’ll be out of trouble on speed.
Race 2. (00:05) Queen's Vase 2800m
11 Stream Of Stars (Bet Now: $4.50) for me. John Gosden trains this well bred colt, who only has a maiden win next to his name, but I thought it was a pretty good when winning over 2400m here on May 11 at start number two. Bit of depth to this field, but there is something about this bloke I really like and I think he can measure up.
9 Southern France (Bet Now: $6.00) is the obvious threat for Aidan O’Brien. Slick maiden win at Leopardstown two back before racing in the Yeats at Navan and proving far too good as a short priced elect. I think personally he is still a touch of overs given the O’Brien factor and how well the horse is going. Just hasn’t got the upside of Stream of Stars the only query.
2 Drapers Guild (Bet Now: $23.00) is a Joseph O’Brien trained colt who has been really good in three runs this time in. Won well two back at Dundalk before going to the race mentioned above won by Southern France where he was relatively unwanted in betting but did a good job to run second. Doubt he turns the tables, but should run well again.
Race 3. (00:40) Duke Of Cambridge Stakes 1600m
1 Hydrangea (Bet Now: $2.62) gets the nod for me. This girl resumed in a Group ll race at the Curragh where Ryan Moore attempted to lead all the way on her. She gave a good kick but the horse that had the suck run behind, Opal Tiara, popped out and had last say to get the win. This girl ran third in the Coronation last year so the class is there. Confident she bounces back.
3 Aljazzi (Bet Now: $5.00) is a Marco Botti trained mare who resumed in the Bet365 Mile at Sandown where she settled well back off the speed and while she never really looked likely, she stuck on really well in defeat when third to Addeybb. Should improve with the run under the belt and always have to respect the stable.
2 Promising Run (Bet Now: $23.00) is a Godolphin mare who can mix her form but she’s certainly capable of figuring in the finish. She hasn’t raced since a four run Dubai prep where she won a couple of races before running okay in a couple of majors. She’s a really good fresh horse and stable finds Soumillon to steer. Definite chance.
Race 4. (01:20) Prince Of Wales's Stakes 2000m
2 Cracksman (Bet Now: $1.61) just picks himself here doesn’t he. Visually, the win in the Coronation at Epsom was plain, ugly to watch, last couple of strides win…but on the flip side, he dug in when required, he hates racing downhill and shifty going isn’t his go. Mind you, he’s 2/3 at Epsom, which shows his class. Back to more reasonable track, he should be winning.
6 Poet’s Word (Bet Now: $4.50) does look the threat for Sir Michael Stoute. Ripping run two back in the Sheema at Dubai before going to a Group lll at Sandown and bolting in. Ran second to Cracksman in the Champion Stakes at this track/distance last year so we know he can match it with the superstar.
1 Cliffs Of Moher (Bet Now: $12.00) is an Aidan O’Brien trained colt who is going pretty well this time in. Won the Mooresbridge two back at Naas before a second to Lancaster Bomber in the Tatts Gold Cup at the Curragh. He finished down the track in the Champion last year, so I doubt he turns the tables, but he can fill a place.
Race 5. (02:00) Royal Hunt Cup 1600m
27 Kynren (Bet Now: $19.00) should arguably be unbeaten in two runs this time in. Missed the kick first up and that cost him the win at Doncaster before going to Sandown where he got back off a slow pace and was held up badly and he really should have won. He’s flying this horse. Just needs luck. If he gets it, he’s a threat.
10 Afaak (Bet Now: $15.00) is a Shadwell son of Oasis Dream who was disappointing when resuming at Newbury before going back to York in a somewhat easier race and he bounce backed to his best with a dominant win. Was only second up when winning that so I think he has upside and a hard mile is no issue.
5 Master Merion (Bet Now: $21.00) is a Wesley Ward trained gelding who has had two runs back from a spell and to the eye hasn’t done a great deal. Resumed with a second at Keeneland before finishing down the track at Arlington. On form, I’d say no, but Wesley Ward the trained and Ryan Moore steering…has to be respected.
Race 6. (02:35) Jersey Stakes 1400m
8 Emaraaty (Bet Now: $6.50) is a John Gosden trained son of Dubawi. Pretty impressive first up winner at Newcastle before going to Goodwood where he stuck on well in defeat to run second to the promising galloper Society Power. Draws to get clear running this time around and he should be close to hard fit now.
9 Expert Eye (Bet Now: $13.00) is the interesting runner. Sir Michael Stoute trains this bloke, who resumed with a second in a Group lll at Newbury before being outclassed in the 2000 Guineas behind Saxon Warrior. Been kept on ice and I think back to 1400m will really suit, plus he gets the services of James McDonald.
1 James Garfield (Bet Now: $15.00) beat Expert Eye in that Newbury Group lll before finishing midfield in the 2000 Guineas. He then dropped back to 1200m at Haydock and was strong to the line, suggesting that 1400m will be ideal and he did run well down the straight last year at Royal Ascot, which is a definite tick.
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BEST BET: Race Four Number 2 Cracksman
NEXT BEST: Race Three Number 1 Hydrangena
LONG SHOT: Race Five Number 27 Kynren
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