Racing
Royal Ascot Place 6 Preview | 20th June
14.30 Norfolk Stakes (Group 2)
A really competitive opener but I was really impressed with the way ORTHODOX got the job done on debut at Salisbury. He travelled so well before powering clear late on, and although the runner-up has run poorly since, Clive Box appears to have a smart one on his hands.
I wouldn’t write off STAR PROSPECT at huge odds. He actually beat Carry The Flag easily on debut in spite of not getting a clear passage and it was clear to see he underperformed when third last time out (sent off odds-on favourite). I think he will show his true colours this time and has the beating of the former, so there’s no way he should be an outsider.
Tips: ORTHODOX & STAR PROSPECT
15.05 Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2)
What a renewal! So many high-class horses up against each other but I’ll side with the likeable GIAVELLOTTO. This Group 1 winner often dines at the top table and has placed in three of them in succession heading into this event and will improve plenty from his eye-catching comeback run in Meydan.
He made a bold bid to defend his Hong Kong Vase when second and finished a good fourth in the Arc before rust on unsuitable ground. His latest third in the Sheema Classic on his return was solid and he’s undoubtedly been saved for this race since. With conditions, track and trip to suit, Marco Botti’s charge makes plenty of appeal.
Tips: GIAVELLOTTO
15.40 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Group 1)
Australian raider JOLIESTAR heads the betting for this red-hot renewal of the Jubilee and could well be up to the task ahead.
However, there’s some strong competition, including Satono Reve, who was last seen chasing home Ka Ying Rising and finished a close second in this race last year.
That being said, I’m hopeful the former will make the trip worthwhile given she’s already succeeded in five Group 1 events and this has been the plan.
Tips: JOLIESTAR
16.20 Jersey Stakes (Group 3)
In the Jersey Stakes, I am drawn to ANDAB. He is really consistent and ran well when fourth behind Gstaad in last year’s Coventry Stakes at this fixture. He hasn’t had the ideal setup on his last three runs since winning on his reappearance but this race will be fun to suit and I can see him exceeding the market odds.
THESECRETADVERSARY is eased in grade after running respectably in the English and Irish 2000 Guineas events the last two times. He only found one too good in the Chesham here last year and will be a happier horse being back over his optimum distance. I think he’s a major player.
Tips: ANDAB & THESECRETADVERSARY
17.00 Wokingham Stakes
APOLLO ONE has a lot of good course form in the book and finds himself 12lb lower than when seventh in this race last year under a massive weight. He’s run really well under Soumillon previously, so it’s good to see them reunite and the high draw in 31 is a bonus, too. If things go to plan, then I’m confident the eight-year-old will have a huge say in the outcome. I really like his claims with so many contributing factors taken into account.
LEOVANNI remains lightly raced for her age and has scope for improvement. She looked very unlucky on her return in a Listed event at Lingfield when fourth (troubled passage) and has interestingly undergone wind surgery since then. She bolted up in the Group 2 Queen Mary here two years ago, so we know the track suits, and a mark of 101 ahead of her handicap debut seems extremely lenient. I think she has an outstanding chance to be completely honest.
Tips: APOLLO ONE & LEOVANNI
17.35 Golden Gates Stakes
SAHARA KING can reverse the latest form with Lost Boys. He did very well to only be beaten by a head in the London Gold Cup when conceding 6lb to the winner and is open to a great deal of improvement. He should be heavily involved.
ACCREDIT did well to finish as close as he did on debut in third despite everything going and has stepped forward to easily win his last couple of starts. He looks tailor-made for this race and an opening mark of 99 seems exploitable, so he’s fancied to go close under Colin Keane.
Tips: SAHARA KING & ACCREDIT
