7f Chesham Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (2yo)
The heavy ground might be against the favourite Port Lonsdale here and there’s a nice shape to the market with only ten runners. I’m firing two darts as I think both NEW SCIENCE (7/1) and GREAT MAX (10/1) should be shorter in the betting. Both pedigrees provide hope for the ground, and they both won impressively on debut.
1pt win New Science 7/1, 14:30 Royal Ascot, Saturday
1pt win Great Max 10/1, 14:30 Royal Ascot, Saturday
7f Jersey Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo)
Another hugely competitive race to unpick. If he stays, CREATIVE FORCE most likely wins so I’ve got to have him on side at what looks quite a big price at 6/1, even though he’s the favourite. I expected him to be a very warm order in the market but clearly the ground has added doubt. I’m chancing LIGHT REFRAIN after Dragon Symbol franked his form in the Commonwealth Cup yesterday. He’s proven on bad ground but not at 7f – though being a Frankel you would expect him to stay.
1pt win Creative Force 6/1, 15:05 Royal Ascot, Saturday
1pt win Light Refrain 12/1, 15:05 Royal Ascot, Saturday
1m4f (1m3f211y) Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (4yo+)
Broome has to be taken on in soft ground and the obvious danger is Ilaraab who has rapidly progressed through the ranks by winning five on the trot. This is deeper waters and I can’t see how there’s any value left in his price at 4/1, for all the ground will be fine. Wonderful Tonight would have a great chance but it sounds like she might need the run. I’m going to side again with the other filly ALBAFLORA at 11/2 after she failed to handle Epsom in the Coronation Cup. She didn’t really run her race there and her Ascot form is far better – her easy Listed win earlier this year has produced a few winners, and her 15l beating of Outbox is far more impressive than the 3l beating Hukum gave him. That form also ties in well with Highest Ground and Thunderous so even though she only won a Listed race, she sets a decent standard around Ascot.
1pt win Albaflora @11/2, 15:40 Royal Ascot, Saturday