There are several horses in the Ribblesdale Stakes that contested the Oaks at Epsom a few weeks ago. However, the going conditions are extremely different at Royal Ascot with a more conventional stiff track and rattling-fast conditions to contend with. I don’t necessarily see those two factors and a 3lb…
1.5pts each-way Vazirabad @6/1, 16:20 Royal Ascot, Thursday
Big Orange is absent to defend his Ascot Gold Cup crown, but the 2018 renewal looks very classy nonetheless with 2016 winner Order Of St George, rising star Stradivarius and leading French stayer Vazirabad among a field of nine. Most of the pre-race talk has been of Stradivarius progressing from…
0.75pts each-way Tribute Act @12/1, 15:40 Royal Ascot, Wednesday
With Ballydoyle failing to land a blow on day one of the Royal Meeting, it would be tempting to write-off Aidan O’Brien’s runners. But as we all know class is permanent and he has plenty of opportunities to rectify the situation on day two. Rhododendron was one of his fancied…
1pt each-way Symbolization @14/1, 17:35 Royal Ascot, Wednesday
Wednesday’s Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot now closes, rather than opens, the card and it looks a typically competitive renewal. John Gosden’s horses are flying as he and Frankie Dettori combined with three winners on Tuesday, so it’s little surprise to see Emaraaty installed as 5/1 co-favourite, stepping out of…
Royal Ascot day one tips: Yoshida (16/1) and Wooton (7/1)
Royal Ascot kicks off on Tuesday with a large field in the Queen Anne Stakes, where Lockinge winner Rhododendron heads the betting from Dubai Turf and last year’s Hampton Court Stakes winner Benbatl. It’s a competitive race with 15 runners and not too much towards the top of the market…
1pt win Ultimate Avenue @5/1, 14:35 Newmarket, Saturday
In the shadows of the Epsom meeting and prior to Royal Ascot, the racing calendar can feel a little thinner in terms of quality. But there is still plenty of competitive action this afternoon to get stuck into at the Rowley Mile. Eastern Impact has not had a victory since…
1pt win Olmedo @7/2, 15:15 Chantilly, Sunday
We’ve been in rare form the last few weeks to firmly banish the memory of a frustrating end to the jumps season, and a huge Derby day double at Epsom yesterday, courtesy of 20/1 Masar in the Derby and 7/2 Century Dream earlier on the card, meant we finished the…
1.5pts win Century Dream @7/2, 15:10 Saturday, Epsom
Arod won this race back in 2015 and looked to have been laid out for this for David Simcock before his withdrawal. The seven-year-old came back to form last time out in a Listed contest and would have fancied his chances, but the fact that he is a non-runner could…
Epsom Derby A-Z and our best bets
Saturday’s Epsom Derby has been a happy hunting ground for these pages in recent years, advising the winners of both renewals since our inception at odds of 11/1 and 40/1. Unlike those two years, we have a very strong favourite to overcome this time in 2000 Guineas winner Saxon Warrior, of…
1pt win Medburn Dream @5/1, 14:35 Epsom, Friday
We are not prepared to go against Cracksman in the Coronation Cup and Ajman King may have a lenient penalty for an impressive recent victory and could go in again for Roger Varian. So we turn our attention to the 14:35 Investec Mile Handicap which looks a little more open…