Royal Ascot Day Two – Wednesday 15th June

It was a case of close but not quite today on the first day of the Royal Ascot meeting, as I managed to hit the cross bar a few times with my selections. Those sort of days are always disappointing, but at least it meant I was perhaps on the right track, and I am going to take as many positives as possible as I can from the day. There is still a long week ahead of us to try and make up some ground, so let’s hope for some more luck in the coming days. 

The first race I will be taking a look at tomorrow is the 3.05 race, which is the Queens Vase over 1m6f for 3 year olds. I have conceded on the Queen Mary in the first, which is simply too daunting a task to try and uncover, and instead I have gone for this race – where we know that little bit more about the form. I am really quite keen on Anchorage in this race, who represents connections who are not to be messed with in this race and have only fired the one bullet at the race this year despite a list of entries at the five day stage. That might well be a tip in itself and this horse shaped with considerable promise over 1m2f last time out. He takes a marked step up in trip, which has to be taken on trust whether he will stay or not, but his breeding would suggest it should be within sight. At a price of 13/2 with Paddy Power, who are offering 4 places, he should be backed each way. 

After this, it will be the 4.20 race which is the following race to have a look at, and the Duke of Cambridge Stakes over 1 mile is a fascinating race with plenty of mares who have a good chance. Saffron Beach is perhaps the standard bearer, but she has a five pound penalty to bare in this race which could make her vulnerable. I think on the other hand, the five pound penalty could help bring Mother Earth much closer to her and I think these ground conditions and course and distance could see this mare to best effect, and she has run well at this course before, including when a close third at this meeting last year. I am hoping she can do the job and this represents a step down in class from facing Baaeed last time out. At a price of 10/3 with William Hill, I make her a bet. 

The final race I will be having a look at is the 5.00 race, which is the 1m Royal Hunt Cup and this race is always an absolute minefield to try to get to the bottom. I usually stay well clear of these types of races and perhaps the same should apply here, but I have been intrigued by the profile of Bopedro for this race. He won very nicely at the Curragh last year in a very similar handicap to this type of race and was third at Leopardstown on Champions Weekend, when just getting going too late. That effort was off this mark, so it proves he can run to these ratings and perhaps he should be more suited to this test. It is a competitive race though, and of course there are plenty of places each way with loads of bookmakers. At a price of 20/1 with Paddy Power, who are offering 7 places, he should be backed each way.