Matthew Steeples analyses the top tipsters’ selections for Day 4 of Royal Ascot 2021 after landing a 22/1 winner yesterday and a 45/1 third place
Today, after a spectacular 1st for Oisin Murphy on Peretto at 22/1 and a 2nd for Roman Empire at 14/1 and a 3rd for Nicest at 45/1 yesterday, on Day 4 of Royal Ascot 2021, I am looking at EACH WAY BETS on:
2.30pm Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot (15 runners, 4 places with Ladbrokes ’The Grid’)
Frankie Dettori on Flotus at 13/5 from 5/2 earlier (Guardian, Daily Mail ‘Nigel Taylor Formcast’, Racing Post ’Newmarket NAP’, GG.co.uk, The Sun, NEWMARKET, The Times)
Greg Cook for Guardian observes: “Flotus and Hello You were both deeply impressive on debut and are open to any amount of improvement. Experience of racing on turf, and the likelihood that she will appreciate quicker ground, just tips the balance in favour of Simon and Ed Crisford’s filly.”
David Milnes for Racing Post suggests: “Fancied to give Simon and Ed Crisford a winner at the royal meeting after some sparkling work on the watered gallop of late. She won on soft ground on her debut at Goodwood last month, so won’t mind any rain.”
Sam Turner for Daily Mail shares: “Flotus won’t mind if the ground eases given she won well with cut at Goodwood and the booking of Frankie Dettori will ensure she is popular in the market.”
At The Races offers: “Flotus also holds enormous potential having shown a high cruising speed when a clear winner on soft ground at Goodwood and should make her presence felt with Frankie Dettori booked to ride.”
The Sun states: “Good winner on debut at Goodwood and has much more to come.”
Racing Post enthuses: “Absolutely scooted home at Goodwood and Ed Crisford was very complimentary afterwards.”
Also in the same race, David Probert – Andrew Balding combo Sandrine at 22/1 (Daily Express)
Racing Post offers: “Strong in the finish when prevailing over Kempton’s 6f; this track should suit her.”
Also in the same race, Daniel Tudhope – George Boughey combo Hellomydarlin at 15/1 from 16/1 earlier (Sporting Life)
Ben Linfoot for Sporting Life comments: “George Boughey is having an unbelievable season with his two-year-olds with 13 turf winners at 41% and nobody should be surprised that he’s triple-handed going into the Albany Stakes.”
“Cachet put in a superb performance to win by over five lengths on debut at Newmarket and Oscula was impressive in the Woodcote at Epsom, but the outsider of his trio, HELLOMYDARLIN, showed she knew her job well when winning on debut at Goodwood a week ago. She showed guts to see off the persistent challenge of Zain Claudette and Income, previously a head second to Albany contender Sows, was well beaten back in fourth.”
“By Galileo Gold, she’ll get further in time but the stiff six at Ascot looks the perfect next step for her and it could be telling that she’s made a late play to join the Boughey squad for this considering he has two other strong contenders. Fellow Goodwood debut winner Flotus was highly impressive for the Crisfords but she hasn’t been missed by the market.”
Racing Post adds: “Debut Goodwood winner last week; Topspeed/RPR figures bode fairly well.”
3.40pm Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot (18 runners, 4 places with Ladbrokes ’The Grid’)
Charles Bishop – Eve Johnson Houghton combo Jumby at 17/2 from 8/1 earlier (The Sun ‘Each Way Thief’, The Times, Guardian)
The Sun suggests: “He is improving with every run and clocked a fast time when winning at Newmarket. This is tougher but there should be more to come.”
Racing Post adds: “Very strong form in Newmarket handicaps this year; open to further improvement.”
Also in the same race, William Buick on Suesa at 7/2 (Radio 4, At The Races ‘Watch Out For’, Guardian NB, The Star, Mirror, Daily Record, Daily Mail ‘Marcus Townend Captain Heath’)
Greg Wood for Guardian offers: “Suesa, a rare French raider this week, is rightly favourite here after a flawless four-race campaign to date, but this is a far sterner test than anything she has faced so far. At the likely odds, it may pay to chance the fast-improving Jumby at around 10-1, as the form of his handicap wins at Newmarket is rock solid and this stiff six with a frantic pace could be ideal.”
At The Races muses: “Suesa is unbeaten in four outings at Chantilly and she will appreciate any rain that is due with all of her victories coming with cut in the ground.”
Ben Linfoot for Sporting Life observes: “If first-time blinkers inspire Supremacy to run at the level he showed as a juvenile he looks the most likely winner, but it’s hard to row in with him in such a hot race after his seasonal reappearance at this track which was so disappointing. Those who keep the faith can take heart from the fact his superb handler Clive Cox fitted first-time blinkers to another top-notch sprinter of his, Lethal Force, with success.”
“If he doesn’t fire Campanelle and Dragon Symbol look like two potential heavyweights in the division, but it’s hard to think either would be at their best if this forecast heavy rain materialises on Friday and with that in mind the French filly SUESA has to come into the reckoning. She is unbeaten in four starts including two wins on heavy and one on soft, so any sort of cut in the ground is going to benefit her and she looked a sprinter of some quality when bolting up in a couple of Group 3s at Chantilly in the spring.”
Racing Post adds: “Suesa is feared most… Exciting filly who is unbeaten in four races, all at Chantilly; looked classy last time.”
Also in the same race, Oisin Murphy – Archie Watson combo Dragon Symbol at 11/2 from 9/2 earlier (The Sun, POSTDATA)
The Sun states: “Consistent and went close again at Haydock latest.”
Racing Post observes: “Fast-improving sprinter; went close in Haydock Group 2 most recently; remains of interest.”
4.20pm Coronation Cup at Royal Ascot (12 runners, 4 places with Ladbrokes ’The Grid’)
Sean Levey – Richard Hannon combo Snow Lantern at 13/1 (Racing Post ‘Dark Horse’, Daily Telegraph)
Sam Hardy for Racing Post muses: “Trainer Richard Hannon has made it no secret how much he rates the daughter of Sky Lantern, who took this race in 2013. A repeat of her Newbury win on her seasonal return should see her go close.”
Racing Post adds: “Could develop into a smart performer if learning to settle; dam won this race in 2013.”
Also in the same race, Frankie Dettori on Pretty Gorgeous at 18/5 from 9/2 earlier (GG.co.uk, Racing Post, Racing Post ‘Handicappers’ NAP’, SPOTLIGHT, RP Ratings, TOPSPEED, The Times, Daily Express, At The Races ’Top Tip’)
Paul Curtis for Racing Post comments: “Can be forgiven a below par reappearance effort when favourite for the Irish 1,000 Guineas on deep ground and her solid two-year-old form, such as when beating 1,000 Guineas winner Mother Earth in the Fillies’ Mile, rates her the leading player on the figures.”
At The Races remarks: “Preference is for proven quality on this occasion and, having reached the top as a juvenile, the Joseph O’Brien-trained PRETTY GORGEOUS is taken to land the spoils. Having missed the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket due to illness, there was plenty to like about her reappearance in the Irish equivalent when finishing behind the reopposing Empress Josephine, her performance better than the bare result having travelled well for a long way. She is taken to reverse the form having received a better draw on this occasion.”
Racing Post adds: “Fillies’ Mile winner PRETTY GORGEOUS may be the answer with her reappearance under her belt… Leading player on 2yo form and should be sharper for her Irish 1,000 Guineas effort.”
5pm Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot (23 runners, 6 places with Ladbrokes ’The Grid’)
Jamie Spencer on Prado at 25/1 from 20/1 earlier (Daily Mail ‘Marcus Townend Captain Heath’ NAP and ’Sam Turner’ DANGER)
Sam Turner suggests: “Prado, ridden by a superb straight track jockey in Jamie Spencer, also has appeal at a big price as she should improve for her comeback effort here on the round track.”
Racing Post remarks: “Unexposed and Jamie Spencer excels on hold-up horses on the straight course here.”
Also in the same race, Ray Dawson – Roger Varian combo She Do at 28/1 from 22/1 earlier (Sporting Life)
Ben Linfoot for Sporting Life suggests: “A plethora of potentially well-handicapped fillies make up the Sandringham and this is a punting minefield. I don’t have a strong view, but it’s interesting that SHE DO is so much bigger in the betting than her Wolverhampton conqueror, Glesga Gal, as it wouldn’t surprise me if she reversed that form.”
“Roger Varian’s filly ran too free early on and was beaten over three lengths at the line, but she should come on for that run, the much stronger gallop looks sure to suit her and she gets a 9lb pull at the weights, as well. Beaten a length by Dubai Fountain on debut, she’s lightly-raced since and I’ve little doubt she’s very well handicapped in this off 83, although you could say similar about most of the field. At a big price though, She Do will do indeed.”
Racing Post adds: “No match for Glesga Gal when second on reappearance but could be sharper for that run.”
Also in the same race, Ryan Moore – AP O’Brien combo Friendly at 12/1 from 10/1 earlier (GG.co.uk, At The Races “Watch Out For’, Daily Record)
Racing Post says: “Eight-race maiden but fine pedigree and much improved when sixth in Irish 1,000 Guineas.”
At The Races adds: “Friendly ran a cracking race when sixth in the Irish 1,000 Guineas and has to be respected swapping Group 1 company for a handicap.”
5.35pm Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot (17 runners, 5 places)
Ryan Moore – Alan King combo Tritonic at 17/2 from 8/1 earlier (Racing Post, Racing Post ‘Eyecatcher’, LAMBOURN)
Richard Young for Racing Post says: “Very useful on the Flat and over hurdles, won’t mind any rain and much better than he was able to show in a messy all-weather race last time.”
Racing Post adds: “2nd over 1m2f at this meeting (soft) in 2020; needs to improve; not fully exposed at 1m4f.”
Also in the same race, Hollie Doyle – Alan King combo Scarlet Dragon at 13/1 from 10/1 earlier (Guardian)
Greg Wood for Guardian observes: “Scarlet Dragon had been off the boil for a while before Hollie Doyle steered him to victory in this race last year, and much the same is true this time around. Reunited with Doyle at a track where he goes so well, he could outrun his odds of around 16-1.”
Racing Post remarks: “Won this race from the back last year on soft off 4lb lower; considered seriously.”
Also in the same race, Oisin Murphy – Hughie Morrison combo Quickthorn at 19/4 from 4/1 earlier (Racing Post ‘Ace Tipster’, Daily Telegraph, SPOTLIGHT, At The Races ‘Watch Out For’)
Graeme Rodway for Racing Post shares: “Hughie Morrison won this with Arab Dawn in 2015 and has an outstanding candidate this year. Quickthorn looked a Group horse in the making when running away with a 1m4f handicap at Haydock last month and could still be well ahead of the handicapper off a 13lb higher mark of 97.”
Racing Post adds: “The vote goes to QUICKTHORN who registered a deeply impressive Haydock win on good to soft… Smooth as you like on reappearance at Haydock (1m4f, good to soft); raised 13lb; player.”
At The Races finishes: “Quickthorn bolted up on his seasonal reappearance at Haydock and is respected in his follow-up bid, for all he has been hit with a 13lb rise as well.”
6.10pm Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes at Royal Ascot (24 runners, 5 places with Ladbrokes ’The Grid’)
Daniel Tudhope on Nomadic Empire at 35/1 (The Sun ‘Longshot’, POSTDATA)
The Sun states: “He came right back to form when second at York last time out. He likes this trip and trainer David O’Meara is in decent nick.”
Racing Post adds: “Useful 2yo; career best when second to Bedford Flyer latest (5f, good); vulnerable up 3lb.”
Also in the same race, Silvestre De Sousa – Michael Appleby combo Warrior Brave at 13/2 from 6/1 earlier (Daily Mail ’Sam Turner’ DANGER and ’Nigel Taylor Formcast’ NAP, RP Ratings, Mirror, The Sun, Daily Record)
Sam Turner for Daily Mail remarks: “Warrior Brave is well handicapped on his latest effort at Sandown and the first-time blinkers may iron out his quirks. “
The Sun adds: “Went close at Sandown last time and big chance under penalty.”
Racing Post comments: “Has taken off in cheekpieces on good to firm the last twice; new headgear; 7lb well-in.”
At The Races offers: “The first-time blinkered Warrior Brave cannot be ruled out either.”
Also in the same race, Oisin Murphy – Adrian Nicholls combo Mo Celita at 6/1 from 11/2 earlier (Racing Post ’Speed Figures’, TOPSPEED)
Dave Edwards for Racing Post offers: “Unbeaten in five starts on turf and this rapidly improving sprinter can stretch her successful sequence to six.”
Racing Post concludes: “Chasing 6-timer and impressive last twice; rain would be a plus; another big run on cards.”
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Happy racing.
