The Epsom Derby meeting does not usually provide many clues to Royal Ascot. In fact, it is often best to avoid the horses that run in the classics and then seek compensation at the Royal meeting. However, one of the handicaps could have provided an exception to the rule.
The Epsom Dash produced a bizarre finish when Sir Michael Stoute’s Duke Of Firenze burst through to grab an unlikely victory. With about a furlong and a half to run it looked as though he would struggle to make the frame but he suddenly took off once Ryan Moore switched him inside. Matching his run from the rear was Smoothtalkinrascal and the pair of them scythed through the field in eye-catching style.
It was possibly as much to do with the leaders slowing up as the first and second accelerating but both horses look sure-fire future winners. Duke Of Firenze looks set to run in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot off a 5lbs higher mark. The stable also has Enrol entered but that horse is languishing at number 80 in the handicap and is unlikely to get a run. Predictably the bookmakers have installed him as favourite but the 10-1 with Ladbrokes is worth adding to our Ascot portfolio.
Stoute will probably have a strong hand in the handicaps at the meeting this year but the one race he would really like to win is the Ascot Gold Cup. Amazingly he has not won the race since Shangamuzo in 1978 but has decent prospects this year with the Queen’s Estimate. The race she won at Sandown was a muddling affair but she quickened past them well enough and will be primed to run a big race. I’ve taken 16-1 about Simenon (now best-priced at 12-1) and I think the addition of Estimate at 10-1 will double my chances in a less-than-vintage Gold Cup.
Having backed Chapter Seven for the Royal Hunt Cup I was less than pleased to see him given a pacemaking role for Dunaden in the Coronation Cup. That race is over half a mile further than his optimum trip so it was hardly the ideal prep for Ascot. Another horse I like for the Hunt Cup is last year’s winner Prince Of Johanne. The grey ran a storming trial at York last month and must have a chance off virtually the same mark as 12 months ago. He is presently 20-1 with many punters believing that Dance And Dance, eighth at York, is the one to be on for Ascot. He was runner-up in 2011 and also has to be respected.
Royal Hunt Cup
Prince Of Johanne 20-1 Paddy Power
Wokingham
Duke Of Firenze 10-1 Ladbrokes
Gold Cup
Estimate 10-1 Ladbrokes
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.
