S.P.Read Esq: Royal Ascot Saturday
Our daily columnist and pundit S.P. Read Esq. looks ahead to the fourth day of ROYAL ASCOT 2015 and finds the best opportunities available on Star Spreads, the home of sports spread betting.
Disappointing meeting so far this week.
I was right in taking on Ol’Man River yesterday but played the match bet with Stravagante who unfortunately had to be pulled up so the maximum 12 length settlement kicked in 
Distances have also been low all week – but I’m buying them again today – if nothing else I’ll have hope with the long distance race completing the card in which I’m relying on Willie Mullins.
The jumps maestro has already poached one winner at Royal Ascot this week – Wicklow Brave on Tuesday and also likes targeting a runner for the concluding Queen Alexandra Stakes run over the uber marathon trip of 2m 5f 159 yards !!!
No surprise to see no American trained runners in this race. They always make such a fuss about how long the final leg of the Triple Crown – the Belmont Stakes is at one and a half miles so heaven only knows what they make of this race !!
Mullins has won two of the last three Queen Alexandra’s and his representative this year is Wicklow Brave who is unbeaten in two flat starts but better known for his jumping exploits and of course was the 25/1 winner of the Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Stamina certainly shouldn’t be a problem – although even with him he is in new territory. His win at Cheltenham was the furthest he’s ever run over (2m 1f). However, it was on stamina sapping soft ground and it is on the fast side of good to firm at Ascot today. Whilst most of his form has come on softer surfaces he ran well in second in a big field Punchestown bumper suggesting all surfaces comes alike.
I hear a good word for the Mick Halford trained Tonkinese in the opening Chesham Stakes over seven furlongs. He made all to win over this trip at Leopardstown last time out and looked smart. His debut third to Air Force Blue at the Curragh looks good too in light of Air Force Blue’s second place in this weeks Coventry Stakes.
I am a buyer on the Star Spreads 50/30/20/10 indices market so need to find a first or second place for a profit and third or fourth for damage limitation.
The Diamond Jubilee Stakes is the sole Group 1 on Saturday’s card. The presence of Aussie star Brazen Beau adds spice to the race but makes it mighty tricky to punt in. He bids to repeat what compatriot Black Caviar did in 2012 but even she found it difficult and her 1/6 backers had a mighty sweat. A race to watch for me.
CLICK FOR ROYAL ASCOT MARKETS ON STAR SPREADS
RECOMMENDED BETS (scale 1-100 points)
BUY ROYAL ASCOT DISTANCES for 100 points at 9.75 with Star Spreads
BUY TONKINESE (2.30 Royal Ascot) on the 50/30/20/10 indices 50 points at 22 with Star Spreads
JUNE LOSS: 1234.50 points
- Any spread prices quoted are indicative and as always prices are subject to fluctuation.
- Please note the opinion, views and forecasts above are of the author and not of Star Spreads.
