Royal Ascot is only a few days away now and it’s time to check our ante-post portfolio. Of the 12 horses backed, only one has been withdrawn and all of the remainder are now trading at shorter prices.
Chapter Seven is the one to blot my copybook. I had not reckoned on him being used as a pacemaker for Dunedin after two highly encouraging runs in competitive handicaps. As yet, the bookmakers are not offering NR/No Bet but it must be imminent. Until that happens, it is best to side only with declared runners.
My Hunt Cup hopes currently rest with Prince Of Johanne but I’m going to include Dance And Dance after getting confirmation from Ed Vaughan that he is on target for the race. His ups and downs have been well documented but basically he was second here in 2011, ran his heart out in Listed races in various countries and is only now returning to his best. As his trainer says, he is better off at the weights but he is two years older. There’s still a little each-way value at 14-1 with Ladbrokes.
The opening race of the meeting has developed into a one-horse book with Animal Kingdom all the rage. There will be some long faces if he doesn’t win but I am more interested in the value in the place market. Having secured 33’s for Aljamaaheer and 51 for Gregorian I am going to take 16-1 about Sovereign Debt. I think the Lockinge form will hold up here and that will give me three excellent place chances even if the favourite does bolt up.
Having pinned my colours firmly to the Temple Stakes form in the King’s Stand, I am also going to snap up the last of the 7-1 about Reckless Abandon. I do feel that six furlongs will ultimately prove his trip but he still has a major chance and hopefully the Cowell-trained pair can grab some place money.
I am going to stick with Society Rock at 9-2 in the Diamond Jubilee. I’m on the veteran Hawkeyethenoo at 16-1 for the same race but Society Rock seems to be in his element here.
Finally, there’s a bit of 5-1 about Beldale Memory in the Queen Mary at Betfair at the moment. I thought she would be nearer 3-1 and, as she is the only two-year-old that I’ve been impressed by this season, I’m happy to add her to my portfolio.
St James’s Palace Stakes: Magician 7-4
King’s Stand: Spirit Quartz 27-1, Kingsgate Native 14-1, Reckless Abandon 7-1 Coral
Diamond Jubilee: 16-1 Hawkeyethenoo, Society Rock 9-2 William Hill
Hunt Cup: Prince Of Johanne 20-1, Chapter Seven 20-1, Dance And Dance 14-1 Ladbrokes
Gold Cup: Estimate 10-1 Simenon 16-1
Wokingham: Duke Of Firenze 10-1 Nocturn 25-1
Queen Anne: Aljamaaheer 33-1, Gregorian 51-1, Sovereign Debt 16-1 Bet Victor
Queen Mary: Beldale Memory 5-1 Betfair
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
