Royal Ascot Day 4
Day 4 of Ascot kicks off with the Albany Stakes over 6 furlongs for juvenile fillies. The likely favourite is Joyeuse trained by Lady Cecil who will be looking to add another poignant victory to go along with Riposte’s win in the Ribblesdale yesterday. Joyeuse, a half-sister to the mighty Frankel, was impressive on debut at Lingfield but odds of around 7/2 make no appeal in such a large field of totally unexposed fillies and I will be having a small each way investment on Brian Meehan’s Haydock scorer Red Lady at far juicier prices.
The Derby form goes on trial again in the second race, the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes, as the 4th placed horse at Epsom Battle Of Marengo returns to the track and looks set to be a warm order here. The history of this event is littered with derby also-rans getting beaten and with him trading at odds-on it is an easy decision to take Battle Of Marengo on. Luca Cumani’s Greatwood looked a shade unlucky not to win a valuable contest at Newmarket on his seasonal return and then went to the Dante Stakes at York but after breaking awkwardly he never showed and to my mind there must have been something amiss. He remains a colt of considerable potential especially stepping up to 12 furlongs for the first time here and he looks a bit of value to bounce back from his Dante disappointment. Mutashaded, unbeaten in both career starts, also warrants a small interest after his smooth Sandown success.
The highlight of day 4 is undoubtedly the Group 1 Coronation Stakes which sees the much awaited rematch between the first two home in the 1000 Guineas, Sky Lantern and Just The Judge. It wouldn’t surprise me if the subsequent Irish 1000 Guineas winner Just The Judge reversed Newmarket form but neither filly has been done any favours by the draw and they may have to give best to the Dermot Weld trained Big Break. She was a very promising 4th behind Just The Judge at the Curragh but unlike the winner she hadn’t had the benefit of a previous outing and I fancy she can get a lot closer today especially as she had a wide trip throughout and was a shade keen in the early stages that day. Ideally berthed for a stalking trip from stall 1 I can see her quickening smartly to settle the issue a furlong out.
Of the remaining races the one that interests me most is the Queens Vase run over 2 miles for 3 year olds making it an extreme test of stamina. This year’s renewal has attracted a larger field than usual so stakes will be kept to a minimum but a small each way play on the beautifully bred Baihas trained by Sir Michael Stoute, who incidentally has a good record in the race, may pay dividends.
Ascot Selections
2.30 Red Lady 1pt EW
3.05 Greatwood 3pt EW
3.45 Big Break 2pt EW
5.00 Baihas 1pt EW
Offers!
If you are considering a spread bet at Royal Ascot we have a bonus SP offer on all 50 indices; if you buy any horse on a 50 win index and if it wins we’ll add its starting price to the 50 points it gets for winning; each day we be offering a popular market “spread free” until the first race and this will be Distances for Friday.
