Previous
Angus Loughran on Royal Ascot Day One Betting Update; Coventry Stakes with the bookmakers making Can
Added: (Tue Jun 16 2009)
Royal Ascot - Tuesday
Queen Anne Stakes - 14:30
A great contest to get things started here with this the first of three Group One’s on Tuesday. Cesare loves it here at Ascot, but has found this level a little beyond him in the past and he might have to settle for a supporting role again after coming fifth 12 months ago. So, although not very original, the two to concentrate on are GLADIATORUS, from the boys in blue, and Sir Michael Stoute’s Main Aim. Both yards have records to be proud of in the race with Godolphin winning it four times in the last decade and Stoute three times. Main Aim was confirmed a runner only last week after landing a Group Three at Haydock two weeks ago, and although this is another big step up connections clearly feel he’s up to it and with Ryan Moore in the plate he’s expected to go very close indeed. However, I’m going to pin my hopes to Gladiatorus, mainly because he’s a proven performer at this level. He’s now won nine of his 12 starts, including the Group One Dubai Duty Free Stakes at Nad Al Sheba in March. He won that by an impressive 3 ¼ lengths and although some might think that with Frankie riding their other runner, Alexandros, this is a negative, I’m not so sure. The relatively unknown Ahmed Ajtebi keeps the ride on the favourite, but he’s no stranger to the stable star, being two from two on the 4 year-old and although a bit more Ascot experience would have been preferred the fact that Godolphin are putting their trust in him speaks volumes.
King’s Stand Stakes - 15:05
Blink and you’ll miss this lot, as some of the fastest horses on the planet do battle for the Group One King’s Stand Stakes. The contest has been a truly international affair over the last decade with winners from Spain, France and three from Australia landing the spoils and that trend could continue with a whole host of over sea raiders in attendance again. The Tatling was the last home-trained runner to win the contest back in 2004, and despite the strong international presence I think we can recapture the race, with Dandy Nicholls’ runner TAX FREE the pick. He’s gone from strength-to-strength this season, winning four of his last five starts, and although those efforts have come at a lower level (Group 2, Group 3 & Listed) I think he fully deserves his chance. I expect him to blaze the trial and although he might be prone to a fast finisher I’m hoping that by that point the bird might have flown and at around 10/1 he rates a cracking each-way bet with not many others coming into the race in better form.
St James’s Palace Stakes - 15:45
Aidan O’Brien has won five of the last 9 running’s of this Group 1 contest and I can’t see past MASTERCRAFTSMAN improving his record even further. Unbeaten as a 2yo, where he won twice in Group 1 company, he stepped up considerably on his 5th in the Stan James 2000 Guineas by hosing up in the Irish version. This race has been on the agenda ever since and with quicker conditions no problem, he’s going to be very tough to beat. Delegator didn’t handle the ground in Ireland last time and looks the biggest danger.
Coverntry Stakes - 16:20
A cracking Coventry and Red Jazz isn’t to be opposed lightly but I’m very sweet on the chances of NO HUBRIS who created quite an impression when scorching to victory at York on debut, form that has worked out well since. Paul Cole’s extremely highly regarded US-bred colt is expected to come on a bundle for that experience, in which case his price of 5-1 makes a fair bit of appeal.
Ascot Stakes - 16:55
This race often gives the jumping boys and girls a chance to taste victory at the Royal Meeting, with six of the last 10 winners hailing from a National Hunt yard - including last year when Suzy Smith’s Missoula got up by a head at 20/1. She’s out again in a bid to retain her crown, and despite not running well over the sticks of late, at around 20/1 again, she could go close. The Pipe team have won the race twice in the last decade and they send out the lightly-weighted Royal Rationale, and with Seb Sanders booked he’ll certainly have his supporters, while if you put a line through Kayf Aramis’ last run and look back to the way he hacked up at York the time before then he could go well and really cap what’s been a fairy-tale year for his trainer. Despite the strong jump-trainer presence one flat trainer that’s often done well in the race too is Mick Channon. He won it back in 2006 with Baddam (now with Ian Williams and runs again) and the former England footballer sends out SOM TALA. Frankie Dettori has been booked and after a very close fifth last year, when holding every chance in the final furlong, and providing he can save a bit more for the finish I think they can go four places better here.
Windsor Castle Stakes - 17:30
A monster field to end day one as some promising 2 year-olds look to make a name for themselves in the Windsor Castle. Trainer John Best caused one of the biggest Royal Ascot shocks of all-time 12 months ago when his 100/1 shot Flashman’s Papers got up, and with 20/1, 14/1 and 12/1 winners over the last decade, and just one favourite getting up, then don’t be afraid to look further down the betting. Of the bigger priced ones Little Perisher is already a winner over this course and distance and might be worth an interest to bounce back to winning ways, while Mick Channon, who’s won this twice in the last 10 years, could have a lively chance with Di Stefano. However, although I don’t want to put you off trying to find a big-priced winner, it’s hard to ignore the chances of Dandy Nicholls runner MISTER MANANNAN. I’ve heard a lot of good reports coming out of the stable and after missing the Derby Meeting, with a tilt here preferred, then connections can be rewarded for the wait. He’s only been seen out twice, coming third on his debut and then dotting up at Pontefract last time out in what could turn out to be a hot little maiden and with more expected improvement he can give the ‘Sprint King’ another Royal Ascot winner.
• All prices correct at time of writing.
ABOUT EASYODDS.COM
easyodds.com is a comprehensive sport betting service that helps you find the BEST ODDS on offer from leading bookmakers, betting exchanges and spread betting firms and then helps you place your bet at the BestPrice.
FREE to register!
www.easyodds.com
Andrew Newton
Managing Editor
020 7691 0660