1m4f (1m3f211y) Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (4yo+) Not the deepest renewal and Continuous might need this run to be at his best, so it’s opened up. I don’t think much of Desert Hero or Middle Earth and this race is crying out for something to prove a class above. That horse could…
1pt win Task Force @9/1, 16:25 Royal Ascot, Saturday
7f Jersey Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo) I’d expect River Tiber to improve past Haatem here, especially as the latter has a 3lb penalty. He’s a worthy favourite here but he does have to reverse form with TASK FORCE on their Middle Park run, even with the caveat that he wasn’t said…
1pt each-way Ferrous @16/1, 1pt each-way Torivega @22/1, 17:05 Royal Ascot, Saturday
6f Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-110) Ah, the Wokingham – an old favourite of mine. Don’t be shy on backing big odds, in the last 10 years, over half the runners have been priced at 18/1 or better. There is no denying that Dark Trooper is a…
1pt win Shartash @7/1, 1pt win Believing @15/2, 15:45 Royal Ascot, Saturday
6f Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Class 1) (4yo+) The British sprinting division is wide-open at the moment with no clear standout performer in open company. That was proven on Tuesday when Aussie radar Asfoora proved best over five furlongs. In fourth place in the…
1pt win Pandora's Gift @14/1, 15:05 Royal Ascot, Friday
6f Commonwealth Cup (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (No Geldings) (Class 1) (3yo) A weakened field leaves the speedy Inisherin as favourite, and rightly so I think as he’s come closest to breaking the 11 second furlong barrier out of the market principles. However the fact is the horse that’s done it multiple…
2pts win Mountain Breeze @4/1, 14:30 Royal Ascot, Friday
6f Albany Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies) (Class 1) (2yo) It’s hard not to have been impressed by MOUNTAIN BREEZE in her two starts for Charlie Appleby. She is closely related to Pinatubo who was a fantastic two-year-old sprinter and she can also step-up on her two starts to claim some…
1pt win Porta Fortuna 11/2, 1pt win Elmalka 7/1, 15:45 Royal Ascot, Friday
1m (7f213y) (Rnd) Coronation Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Fillies) (Class 1) (3yo) The 1000 Guineas form is put to the test here and I think it’s useful form to follow. The one I like most is PORTA FORTUNA for Donnacha O’Brien. She continues to be grossly underestimated by…
1pt win Voyage @9/1, 17:40 Royal Ascot, Friday
1m4f (1m3f211y) King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings) (Class 1) (3yo) Stamina is a doubt for a few of these including Diego Velazquez who is well fancied but hasn’t really performed to the level he was expected to in his last three starts. I’m not sure this…
1pt win Danielle @11/1, 15:45 Royal Ascot, Thursday
1m4f (1m3f211y) Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies) (Class 1) (3yo) A Group One filly often comes from this race but to find one you have to be forgiving, or get behind the hype surrounding Diamond Rain. I was never totally convinced by Shamardal’s progeny at 12f in his pomp and…
1pt win Aesterious @8/1, 0.5pt win Moving Force @25/1, 14:30 Royal Ascot, Thursday
5f Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (2yo) It’s quite hard to get away from the claims of Whistlejacket here, but the form of his two races in Ireland is so far inconclusive. He also has to show he can perform on this rapid surface. He might yet answer all…