Races

Andrew Hawkins’ Royal Ascot Day 3 Preview

Posted on | Posted by Andrew Hawkins

Race 1

The Norfolk Stakes for the two-year-olds generally throws up a top sprinter to watch in the years ahead. American trainer Wesley Ward has won it twice, with No Nay Never and Shang Shang Shang, and he has two chances to add a third. While LUCCI is favoured, having won on the Belmont turf at his only start, I’m instead with Ward’s gelding NAKATOMI. Owned by Qatar Racing, the Firing Line chestnut won over 900m on the Keeneland dirt defeating stablemate Happy Soul, who has since won twice including once at Listed level. If there is a danger to the Americans, it is likely the unbeaten SECOND WIND.

Suggested Bet: Nakatomi WIN

Race 2

The Hampton Court Stakes is a Group 3 over 2000m for the three-year-olds that excludes horses that have won a Group 1 or a Group 2. Winners have included Atlantic Jewel’s son Russian Emperor, Moonee Valley Cup victor Hunting Horn, Caulfield Stakes hero Benbatl and Mackinnon Stakes scorer Glass Harmonium, while Zaaki finished in the placings behind Hunting Horn in 2018. It really does look at the mercy of MOHAAFETH, the last-start winner of the Listed Newmarket Stakes who could not have been more impressive there. Anything above even money looks a gift.

Suggested Bet: Mohaafeth WIN

Race 3

It’s not often that a Wetherby novice win followed by a distant second in a Group 3 at York would stamp you as clearly the one to beat in a Group 2, but such is the case with NOON STAR. She was very impressive at Wetherby at her first start at three, following on from a Nottingham maiden win in October, and then she was beaten almost four lengths as the hot favourite in the Musidora Stakes at York. That may not sound enticing on paper, but she was beaten that day by Snowfall, who went on to win the Epsom Oaks by 16 lengths. There are a number of lightly raced fillies here who could improve, but they’d have to step forward significantly to beat Noon Star.

Suggested Bet: Noon Star WIN

Race 4

STRADIVARIUS will attempt to equal the mighty Yeats as a four-time winner of the Ascot Gold Cup, a race that dates back to 1807. It could simply be a coronation for the seven-year-old, but it is a race with plenty of intriguing candidates: last year’s Epsom Derby winner SERPENTINE and his Irish Derby conqueror SANTIAGO, Melbourne Cup winner TWILIGHT PAYMENT, runaway Meydan Gold Cup scorer SUBJECTIVIST and SPANISH MISSION, who already has the Doncaster Cup and the Yorkshire Cup on his mantle. Each is capable on his day, but the pick goes to the equally capable TRUESHAN, who raced right away to win the Long Distance Cup over 3200m at Ascot in October. The trip is a little bit of a query, but trainer Alan King is adept with these types and he can spoil the Stradivarius celebrations.

Suggested Bet: Trueshan EACH WAY

Race 5

The Britannia Stakes has something of a reputation for producing horses that will one day race in Hong Kong. That has not quite been the case as much in recent years and I don’t expect it to be the case this year. The race was won last year by Sheikh Hamdan’s Khaloosy and, even though the Shadwell founder may have died earlier this year, his famous blue and white colours will be carried by three live contenders. I personally like the lowly-weighted TAWLEED back on top of the ground, just ahead of QAADER, who was second in the Coventry Stakes at last year’s Royal Ascot meeting.

Suggested Bet: Tawleed EACH WAY

Race 6 

The King George V Handicap is a race that my organisation, Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, has won four times, including once with a subsequent Melbourne Cup placegetter in Beekeeper. They have PARACHUTE running this year, coming off an emphatic victory when stepped up to this trip. I very much hope that we will get to see Parachute down in Australia later this year or even next year, but the draw does make it tough for him and instead I will be siding with KONDO ISAMI. Remarkably, he is one of two half-brothers to Australian Group 1 winner Zoustar who will be running on Day 3 (the other is Emperor Of The Sun in the Ascot Gold Cup). Kondo Isami was just edged out in a hot Doncaster form race by stablemate Dancing King (who runs in the Queen’s Vase on Day 2), while the third-placed Olympic Theatre looks to have a very bright future as well. Mark Johnston has won this race six times and he can make it seven with Kondo Isami.

Suggested Bet: Kondo Isami EACH WAY

Race 7

The Buckingham Palace Handicap has an interesting history in that it was run from 2002 until 2014, when it was replaced by the Commonwealth Cup. However, it was revived last year and now looks to have a permanent place on the calendar. This race will justifiably be double figures the field, given it is just so open. I am siding with a horse that has taken a long time to return to his best form in PERSUASION. I remember his debut at Goodwood in 2019 and he was just so electric that day with Group 1 performers like Berkshire Rocco in behind. He was Group 3-placed before the end of his two-year-old year, but he disappointed in four runs at three. He finally returned to the winners’ circle at Haydock first-up and he still looks to have a bit in hand ratings-wise.

Suggested Bet: Persuasion EACH WAY

PLAY OF THE DAY

Race 6 – Quinella #9 and #15

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