ROYAL Ascot 2024 day two is forecast to be another dry day with the ground good to firm.
The Prince of Wales’s Stakes Group 1 over 1m 2f sees the 2023 Epsom Derby champion and the Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Auguste Rodin Unibet 6/4 heading the market with Inspiral Unibet 9/4, who clearly needed the run when fourth in the Lockinge Stakes, second in the market.
As is well documented Auguste Rodin isn’t the most consistent, yet when on song he is a brilliant performer. Inspiral will be ready to take him on and this will be some race if they are both on form, with the mare just getting the preference in a Group 1 which I’m looking forward to watching.
Enjoy whether at Royal Ascot or watching all the races #athome on ITV Racing.
See you there!
Cheers
The Wine Tipster
3:05 Ascot – Queens Vase Group 2 (1m 6f)
Illinois is one of four runners for Aidan O’ Brien, who has a very strong hand here with Highbury, a very impressive winner at Leopardstown last out, Grosvenor Square third in the Chester Vase when not looking suited by the course and The Equator, who still looked green at the Curragh last time.
Of these four Galileo colts, Illinois has to be the bet. He’s already got two good pieces of form to his name, having finished a length third to Los Angeles in the Criterium at Saint-Cloud at two, and lost nothing in defeat to the classy Ambiente Friendly at Lingfield last time, not looking overly happy on the track.
The winner franked that form with an excellent second in the Derby and Illinois is very much bred for trips like this, so there’s every chance of further improvement on the cards.
3:45 Ascot – Duke Of Cambridge Stakes Group 2 (7f)
Ocean Jewel (nap) won the Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes at Leopardstown last time out in impressive style when always travelling smoothly and looking like the winner from someway out, with Rogue Millennium back in third and Orchid Bloom in fourth, who both reoppose here. The winner now has to give a 3lb penalty away and there appears to be an assumption that Rogue Millenium will reverse the form, but that was Ocean Jewel’s first start of the season too, and given she was as strong at the finish as anything, this stiff mile should suit. She looks value to uphold the form.
5:05 Ascot – Royal Hunt Cup Heritage Handicap (1m Str)
Wild Tiger is my selection near the top of the market ahead of Beshtani, who looks sure to run a big race too. Wild Tiger is a five-year-old having only his sixth career appearance for Saeed bin Suroor (trains Real World the 2021 winner) and is 3-3 in the UK. This includes his two wins this season over 7f at York and Goodwood respectively when travelling well both times to move smoothly clear. Wild Tiger has won over a mile and has just the lightly raced progressive profile to run a big race from stall 20.
Daysofourlives won’t win the prize as the easier ride in the Royal Hunt Cup, though it is an advantage that Luke Morris is in the plate again as he has been on the two previous starts this season, given this four-year-old is certainly progressive and talented.
Daysofourlives was a close third beaten a ¼ length by Hafeet Alain at Newmarket on seasonal debut when doing all his best work late on over the Rowley Mile. He was then at the same course over 1m 2f second to Mythical Guest when travelling awkwardly over the last two furlongs and is being fitted with a visor for the first time.
Daysofourlives is clearly effective at Ascot, having dead heated with Ouzo last season, as well as finishing third to Metal Merchant, who brings strong form to the race as they reoppose here. Daysofourlives has to be in the mix from a good draw in stall 10.
6:15 Ascot – Windsor Castle Stakes Listed (5f)
Ain’t Nobody caused a minor surprise on debut at Carlisle when beating the much more fancied pair of Georgecandoit and Airspeed, but there was no fluke about it, as he raced on the speed for much of the way and simply had too much pace for them late on. He clocked a very solid speed figure in the process too, and although it was on slower ground than he’ll face today, there’s no reason he won’t be as effective on it. Jamie Spencer takes the ride, who is so good on the straight course at Ascot.
The Wine Tipster’s Treble
A super day of racing awaits at Royal Ascot.
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