Ascot 3.05

THE PROFESSOR - Royal Ascot 3.05 5 Key Victory @ 9/2 / 10 Nordic Lights @ 8/1 (1 point each way on both or a 2 point win bet on KV at your discretion)
(Most big Bookies go odds to 4th on this race)

Hunting Horn is probably the form choice here and has been widely touted but I think the rattling Going may not play to its strengths and I can't fin any evidence of a run with "Firm" in the Going description. I rated it very closely with KEY VICTORY and that ground chink makes KV a confident pick for me and I see it as an each way banker with some wriggle room at 9/2 if you wish to be conservative. Key Victory ran well enough in France to suggest it is still a progressive horse, the Yard could not be in better form and I actually think it is one of the best each way bets of the week in these conditions.

Main Street may need to improve and Vintager would have a very good chance if staying for a Trainer who punches well above his weight but I think that NORDIC LIGHTS is another who is over-priced and excellent each way value. It is almost certainly better than the bare form suggests and with a few weeks of nice sun on its back, probably the most progressive horse in the field and I anticipate a big run and with plenty going "odds to 4th" a place at least should be the expectation. I don't think the Dante (which was a messy race) was run to suit Nordic Lights, and this will likely be a much truer test of pace and stamina.