Royal Ascot Day 3 - Thursday 19th June
By SP2A Analysis
Ascot 3.05 - King George V (Handicap) - Class 2 - 3 year old - 1 mile 4 furlongs (Good to Firm - watered)
I narrowed this down to 5 horses but with 3 of them at the top of the betting market I had to choose one as a win-saver of e/w banker and on that basis I narrowly prefer SING US A SONG for the Beckett team who have an excellent recent record in the race over Merchant and Serious Contender.
In terms of places and enhanced place at bigger prices, LIGHTNING MAN brings possibly the most solid recent form that has been solidly franked and BOATSWAIN is a real lurker, Stall 1 could see him cutting every corner and his opening handicap mark may be very lenient and I like him at a price (RJ)
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Ascot 5.00 - Britannia Stakes (Handicap) 3 year old - Class 2 - 1 mile - 30 run
I narrowed this down to 5-6 horses but let's start with Sean's chosen pair that he highlighted around 10 days ago. They will be his final tips and frankly it would be wonderful if one of them streaked home. His message to us was simple "beware AP O'Brien 3 year olds that have been aimed at Group company dropping into a handicap race here". Both SERENGETI and TRIBAL NATION have been in some decent races, as is the case with the yard often the cycling equivalent of "water carriers" e.g there to set pace, protect the stable stars and to ensure that the chosen one has best chance in running. Both of these horses NOW can run to their merits and be "in it to win it", whether they are good enough we will find out but their handicap marks may not reflect the chance they may have here.
My preferred short list of 5 includes Parole D'Oro ; my 4th rated and worth a small e/w punt and Hawksbill; drawn low and one I will track as I think Goodwood will suit him more and Consolidation a long shot who just missed out.
My 1-2-3 in preference order are BRAVE MISSION who has shown every sign that a step up in trip may be ideal and whose berth in Stall 20 may be ideal, AFENTIKO who is drawn low but who really does look a beautifully bred type who travels well and finishes off races very strongly and LA BOTTE very much a talking horse who looks very unexposed. (The Advisor / Placespotter)
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Ascot 6.10 - Buckingham Palace Stakes - Handicap - Class 2 - 7 furlongs - 29 run
As mentioned by Ian, I don't think we should beat ourselves up as much about the draw as much as we should be thinking about where the pace is and the probability they will all eventually aim for the middle of the track coming in from various angles.
I was left with a short list of 7 and that was after reluctantly leaving out the likes of Billyjoh runner up last year and primed again, No Retreat who has wintered in Meydan and who looks primed for this, Divine Libra who seems to have caught the eye of a few respected scribes and my 6th and 7th best rated wh are Gleneagle Boy who just missed out and Olivier Show whose recent wind operation is an interesting side aspect to some decent form. Any of those "could win" as could a number not mentioned.
My top 5 rated though with places to 6th - 7th are-:
ENGLISH OAK who won this last year, whose form I genuinely believe has been hidden in preparation for this and who I believe will reappear tuned to the minute. RAMAZAN who is one of the more exposed entries but who is incredibly well handicapped and whose run in a Victoria Cup in the past over Course and Distance highlights the fact he can run well here, I genuinely think he's another who has been waited with a primed for this. NORTHERN EXPRESS similarly has Course and Distance form and is also off an eye catching mark , whilst SPANGLED MAC is another who just looks primed. I cannot, given the Yard form leave ROI DE FRANCE out of calculations here, top weight he may be but he's in this on merit and is definitely the "class horse" of the race amidst some incredibly well handicapped lurkers and a few unexposed types. (Speculator)
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PLACEPOT
2.30 - 3 Charles Darwin / 7 First Legion
3.05 - 6 Sing Us A Song / 5 Serious Contender
3.40 - 1 Caspi Star / 7 Island Hopping
4.20 - 4 Trawlerman / 3 Sweet William
5.00 - 28 Brave Mission / 6 Afentiko
5.35 - 5 Glittering Legend / 8 Jackknife
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TRACKERS
Ascot 5.00 Brave Mission (see tips race)
Ripon 5.10 Bulmer Bank
Ascot 6.10 Run Boy Run (in a bit deep here)