5f Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies) (Class 1) (2yo)
Two darts this year for a notoriously difficult race. Richard Fahey’s Dark Angel filly MIDNIGHT AFFAIR did everything right on debut, quickening past her opponents without ever being asked for maximum effort. I suspect she’s a good deal better than the bare form and 9/1 feels good. BETTIES BAY did plenty wrong on her debut, breaking slowly but passing all but one with an eye catching run in second. She looked the best horse in that race and York form generally stands up well. She’s a big price at 28/1 to have a go.
1pt win Midnight Affair 9/1, 14:30 Royal Ascot, Wednesday
0.5pts win Betties Bay 28/1, 14:30 Royal Ascot, Wednesday
1m2f (1m1f212y) Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Class 1) (4yo+)
BAY BRIDGE is a Group One winner over this course and distance and has returned this season in good form despite not winning. Only half a length separated him with Luxembourg at Curragh and he has to have an excellent chance of reversing that form in what’s surely been his big summer target. There are others of interest in the race but the 7/2 about the selection is surely the best bet in the race. I’d have him at least a point shorter.
1pt win Bay Bridge @7/2, 16:20 Royal Ascot, Wednesday
1m6f (1m6f34y) Queen’s Vase (Group 2) (Class 1) (3yo)
I’m swinging two at this race. Aidan O’Brien is in fine form and his progressive PEKING OPERA, with form figures 21-1, is surely a bet at 11/2. A son of the late Galileo, he is the chosen one from five horses left in the race at the five day-stage and I suspect that’s a tip in itself. I’m also backing CIRCLE OF FIRE now stepping up in trip. He was down as a potential Derby horse and fluffed his lines in his trial at Lingfield, losing the race at the start but staying nicely on into third behind Military Order and Waipiro. He remains a colt with plenty of potential and is worth another chance in a wide open race.
1pt win Peking Opera @11/2, 17:35 Royal Ascot, Wednesday
1pt win Circle Of Fire @7/1, 17:35 Royal Ascot, Wednesday