Matthew Steeples analyses the top tipsters’ selections for Day 3 of Royal Ascot 2021 and offers some longshot choices at huge odds in 5 of the 7 races
Today, after being saved from a wipeout with a 5th place paying out on Beat Le Bon at 33/1, a 2nd for Twilight Gleaming at 23/10 and a 3rd for Queen Power at 17/4 yesterday, on Day Three of Royal Ascot 2021, I am avoiding the clash of Stradivarius and Subjectivist at 4.15pm and looking at EACH WAY BETS on:
3.05pm Hampton Court at Royal Ascot (10 runners, 3 places)
Ryan Moore – AP O’Brien combo Roman Empire at 7/1 from 8/1 earlier (Radio 4)
Racing Post remarks: “Perhaps flattered by front-running Dante fourth but still respected for O’Brien/Moore team.”
At The Races adds: “Completing the shortlist is Roman Empire, who ran a gallant race from the front in the Dante and could go close if being allowed an easy lead.”
Also in the same race, William Buick – Charlie Appleby combo One Ruler at 19/4 from 9/2 earlier (Guardian NB, At The Races ‘Watch Out For’, Daily Mail ’Sam Turner’ and ‘Robin Goodfellow’, TOPSPEED, Daily Telegraph)
Greg Wood for Guardian remarks: “Mohaafeth remains an unknown quantity having been scratched from the Derby when the ground eased earlier this month, and overnight rain could put a dampener on his chance again. Even if the surface remains quick, however, One Ruler has plenty of form that makes him a serious contender and 10 furlongs could well be his ideal trip.”
Sam Turner for Daily Mail says: “ONE RULER is one horse which won’t mind a deluge and this interim trip of 10 furlongs could prove to be his optimum after he looked to fail to get home in the Derby on a soft surface. The selection had previously acquitted himself well in the 2t,000 Guineas considering it was his comeback and can hold off the likes of Movin Time, who himself looked a classy colt in the making at Newmarket last time.”
Racing Post adds: “Sixth in the Guineas and the Derby, and the drop back in grade is a positive.”
At The Races concludes: “One Ruler. The aforementioned Charlie Appleby-trained candidate has been highly tried this campaign, with his only two outings being in Classics, and is entitled to give a good account in calmer waters.”
3.40pm Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot (13 runners, 4 places with Ladbrokes ’The Grid’)
Jamie Spencer on Ad Infinitum at 20/1 from 18/1 earlier (Radio 4)
Racing Post remarks: “Won Goodwood Listed race on just her second run; further progress necessary, but possible.”
Also in the same race, Dubai Fountain at 19/2 from 9/1 earlier (Daily Mail ‘Formcast’, The Sun ‘Each Way Thief’, Guardian, RP Ratings, TOPSPEED, POSTDATA, Daily Telegraph)
The Sun suggests: “She looked a hot prospect for Epsom when winning the Cheshire Oaks but she seemed to hate the track. Put a line through that one and she has every chance for Mark Johnston who has plenty of Ascot winners.”
Greg Wood for Guardian observes: “Fillies coming on to the Ribblesdale after being beaten in the Oaks have a mixed record overall, but two of the last four winners were unplaced at Epsom and Dubai Fountain is a big price to be a third. She was third-last in the Classic after looking all at sea on the track, but a close fourth in the Fillies’ Mile last year is eye-catching form and 12-1 is a very fair price if the track proves more to her liking.”
Racing Post less sure: “Flopped in the Oaks but won the Cheshire Oaks previously; in the mix if bouncing back.”
At The Races finishes: “Dubai Fountain, whom failed to fire in the Classic 13 days ago, holds every chance of going close if bouncing back to the level of form she produced in the Cheshire Oaks.”
Also in the same race, Aidan O’Brien trained Nicest at 45/1 from 40/1 earlier (Racing Post ‘Ace Tipster’)
Graeme Rodway for Racing Post comments: “Shaped as though she was in need of the run when third behind Dubai Fountain in the Cheshire Oaks on her reappearance and built on that at the Curragh last time, making eyecatching late headway to finish fourth. The return to a longer trip should suit and she is still lightly raced and open to plenty of further improvement.”
Racing Post adds: “Respectable Group 3 and Listed form but needs to take a big step forward today.”
5pm Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot (30 runners, 4 places)
Jim Crowley – Mark Johnston combo Qaader at 25/1 (The Sun ‘Each Way Thief’)
The Sun says: “He didn’t have many rivals to beat at Goodwood last time but he managed to get the job done off a muddling pace. There will be no issues on that front today and he has a chance in a wide-open contest.”
Racing Post muses: “Coventry second who returned to winning ways last time in small-field conditions race.”
At The Races concludes: “Qaader looks likely to try to take them along under Jim Crowley and battled back once headed to win last time out at Goodwood, and with just 1lb more from the handicapper, he will take some passing.”
Also in the same race, Luke Morris – Sir Mark Prescott combo Royal Pleasure at 22/1 (Daily Mail ‘Captain Heath’ NAP, Racing Post ‘Eyecatcher’)
Ron Wood for Racing Post remarks: “Too headstrong in a muddling all-weather race last time but a potential improver now in this big-field handicap.”
Racing Post adds: “Better than latest bare result and trainer doesn’t have runners here for the fun of it.”
Also in the same race, Oisin Murphy on Peretto at 22/1 (Guardian)
Greg Wood for Guardian observes: “Perotto can be no more than a hopeful selection in a ferociously hot heat, but he looked sure to be suited by another step up in trip when winning over seven furlongs at Goodwood last time. Oisin Murphy’s booking – for just his seventh ride for Marcus Tregoning – could be seen as a positive, too.”
Racing Post adds: “Penalised for winning a weaker handicap at Goodwood; stamina to prove at 1m.”
Also in the same race, Jack Mitchell – Roger Varian combo Raadobarg at 8/1 from 7/1 earlier (Mirror, Daily Mail ’Sam Turner’)
Ben Linfoot for Sporting Life offers: “Who knows which side will be the right one to be on with the thundery showers potentially having an impact but there looks to be pace on both wings. Stands’ side Quintillus, Big Narstie, Akmaam and Siam Fox look likely to tow the group along and that could be perfect for Roger Varian’s RAADOBARG who looks a highly progressive Night Of Thunder colt.”
“He won a high-quality handicap with embarrassing ease at Haydock last time out and fully deserved his 11lb hike in the weights. He pulled clear with Seasett with the heavy conditions proving no hindrance and, while he won his second start on Good to Firm, he’d very much appreciate the forecast showers. Air To Air looks the rapid improver to add to the shortlist from the far side, while Ataser and Grid are others to consider at bigger prices.”
Racing Post adds: “Impressive winner of his handicap debut, beating a bunch of in-form horses; up 11lb.”
5.35pm King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot (19 runners, 5 places with Ladbrokes ’The Grid’)
Richard Kingscote – Sir Michael Stoute combo Just Fine at 33/1 (Racing Post ’Speed Figures’, TOPSPEED, Daily Express)
Dave Edwards for Racing Post observes: “Finished last of eight on his Newmarket return in April but is tons better than that, a point he can underline in this ultra-competitive handicap.”
Racing Post less enthusiastic: “Disappointed in handicap at Newmarket (1m2f, good) two months ago on reappearance.”
Also in the same race, Ben Curtis – Mark Johnston combo Kondo Isami at 12/1 (Racing Post ‘Handicappers’ NAP’, RP Ratings)
Paul Curtis for Racing Post offers: “Just held on from today’s rival and subsequent winner Tashkan when winning at York on his penultimate start, where the first three pulled well clear in a good time. Appeals as still well treated and can add to his yard’s good record in this race.”
Racing Post adds: “Nearly 2-2 this term; well handicapped and his trainer has won this race six times.”
Also in the same race, Frankie Dettori – John and Thady Gosden combo First Light at 19/4 from 9/2 earlier (At The Races ’Top Tip’, NEWMARKET)
Racing Post says: “Won maiden by a street; hard to pin on handicap debut, over new trip he looks sure to stay.”
At The Races adds: “It might pay to side with handicap debutant FIRST LIGHT representing top connections. The Dubawi colt stepped up on a couple of solid placed efforts when winning easily over 1m2f at Ripon and this extra couple of furlongs could potentially unlock another gear.”
6.10pm Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot (29 runners, 6 places with Ladbrokes ’The Grid’)
William Buick – Charlie Appleby combo On The Warpath at 35/1 (The Sun ‘Longshot’)
The Sun states: “A Listed performer and looks a huge price for the boys in blue with William Buick on board.”
Racing Post adds: “Effective at 6f-1m on turf but needs to show a thorough test at 7f is ideal; off 173 days.”
Also in the same race, David Allan – Tim Easterby combo Boardman at 17/2 from 8/1 earlier (Daily Mail ‘Captain Heath’, The Star)
Racing Post says: “Effective at 6f-1m on turf but needs to show a thorough test at 7f is ideal; off 173 days.”
Also in the same race, Mark Crehan on Corvair at 33/1 from 25/1 earlier (Sporting Life)
Ben Linfoot for Sporting Life shares: “Another huge field in the rightly-reintroduced Buckingham Palace Stakes and there’s bags of pace middle to stands’ side. A hold-up horse drawn in a high number could be the way to go and I’d take a chance on CORVAIR from stall 26 under excellent 3lb claimer Mark Crehan.”
“This horse loves the all-weather but he’s unexposed on turf and was unlucky not to win on his first start on grass since last August when he was just pipped by Ametist at Newmarket. Up just 2lb for that superb run, Simon & Ed Crisford have negated that with the booking of Crehan who will likely ride this fellow cold in the early exchanges. Highfield Princess becomes even more interesting if the forecast showers instigate a ground change with John Quinn’s in-form Night Of Thunder filly breaking from stall 31, while Boardman is of obvious interest with Tim Easterby’s rapid improver going for a four-timer from stall nine.”
Racing Post adds: “Just lost out in only his 3rd turf start (7f, good); needs more to show up in better race.”
Also in the same race, James Doyle – Charlie Hills combo Persuasion at 12/1 (Daily Mail ‘Formcast’, Racing Post ‘Dark Horse’, The Sun, LAMBOURN, Daily Express, Daily Record, TOPSPEED)
Stuart Langley for Racing Post muses: “Lightly raced four-year-old who was second in a Group 3 as a juvenile. Was well beaten in the 2,000 Guineas before contesting handicaps and ended last season with a good second on heavy ground at Leicester. Reappeared with a win at Haydock on good to firm ground, 7f looks to be his trip and there could be more to come.”
The Sun adds: “Dug deep to win at Haydock and chance from 3lb higher.”
Racing Post concludes: “Cosy 7f win on return; the best may not have been seen of him yet; handles most ground.”
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Happy racing.
