Another competitive looking renewal of the Wokingham and Frankie Dettori’s mount dominates the top of the market. But, I can’t have Danzeno at 7/1 with him carrying a penalty for his recent run and him generally being a little less reliable as he gets older.
Also towards the top of the betting, I actually think CAPE BYRON should be going off a much shorter price than his current odds of 15/2. This five-year-old looks to be on the cusp of pattern-company and will be remarbly taking this 6f trip on for the first time in his career. A strongly run race over this stiff course could certainly bring out more improvement from the Roger Varian trained gelding and we want him onside.
Cape Byron has an excellent record here at Ascot including a recent impressive success in the Victoria Cup. The form of which has been heavily franked by those in behind and he’s versatile regarding the ground. A draw in stall 10 could be perfect for Cape Byron with those drawing in the middle potentially having an advantage on Saturday’s drying ground.
A mark of 107 may still be shy of this horses peak as he looks like he is on the upgrade and can give Andrea Atzeni his first win of the Royal Meeting.
The ground has also come right for GUNMETAL, who put in a pretty strong performance on his first attempt over 5f last time out in a competitive handicap at York – a trip that proved to be on the short side. He progressed steadily for David Barron last season, picking up three victories over this distance and he will enjoy the step back up in trip.
Gunmetal will be looking to play his cards late in this and although drawn in stall six, he could still be handed a nice toe into the race from the the likes of Watchable drawn nearby.
A respectable run on his first start of the season, Gunmetal seemed to be coming to the boil nicely and should be spot on for his first attempt at a race that looks sure to suit having bolted up impressively in the Great St. Wilfred stakes at Ripon last season.
1pt each-way Cape Byron @15/2, 17:00 Royal Ascot, Saturday (1-7 places, 1/5 odds with Skybet)
1pt each-way Gunmetal @12/1, 17:00 Royal Ascot, Saturday (1-7 places, 1/5 odds with Skybet)