Races

Andrew Hawkins’ Royal Ascot Day 2 Preview

Posted on | Posted by Andrew Hawkins

Race 1

American trainer Wesley Ward has won this race three of the last seven years with Acapulco, Lady Aurelia and Campanelle, the latter carrying the same colours as this year’s favourite TWILIGHT GLEAMING. She was a bit green at her first start at Keeneland but showed the benefit of race experience to jump strongly and lead all the way for a huge victory at Belmont Park last month. The advantage that the American two-year-olds tend to have in the UK is that they simply have more speed, so the local juveniles tend to find themselves out of their depth. If she’s slowly away, that could prove tricky, but if she jumps on terms I expect her to assume the lead early and to lead all the way down the stands side of the course.

Suggested Bet: Twilight Gleaming WIN

Race 2

The Queen’s Vase has been won by horses like Stradivarius, Hartnell and Mahler, while three-year-olds such as Twilight Payment have been in the placings. Aidan O’Brien has won the Queen’s Vase five of the last eight years, but it might be worth siding with Hartnell’s former trainer Mark Johnston who sends out DANCING KING. He has won all four starts since being gelded, including an impressive Class 2 effort last time out where he prevailed in a three-way photo over stablemate (and Zoustar’s half-brother) Kondo Isami and the very progressive type Olympic Theatre. I think any of those three would be competitive here. If there is a danger, perhaps it is the maiden RULING, a half-brother to the Australia-bound Hint Of Stars.

Suggested Bet: Dancing King WIN 

Race 3

LADY BOWTHORPE does look one of the locks of the week, particularly if Palace Pier does as is expected in the Queen Anne Stakes, but it might be worth looking in another direction and having an each-way bet on LAVENDER’S BLUE, bred and owned by ABBA’s Benny Andersson. She sports pacifiers for the first time and she is always honest. She meets Lady Bowthorpe three pounds better for a half-length defeat last time out and she’s more than capable on her day. The other capable of showing up at odds is ONASSIS, winner of the Sandringham Handicap for the three-year-old fillies at the course and distance last year.

Suggested Bet: Lavender’s Blue EACH WAY

Race 4

The Prince Of Wales’s Stakes is one of the highlights of the week, although it will be missing two-time Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Addeybb due to the expected firm ground. Still, it looks a tremendous contest between defending champion LORD NORTH, Cox Plate runner-up ARMORY and last year’s superstar filly LOVE. Lord North is first-up since winning the Dubai Turf in March but I think he looks the most likely winner on paper, particularly with the race likely to develop into a tactical affair. Love, though, was so impressive last year, while Armory looked like he’d really improved as a four-year-old with his first-up win in the Huxley Stakes at Chester.

Suggested Bet: Lord North WIN

Race 5

The Royal Hunt Cup, best considered as the English equivalent to the Doncaster Mile, sees 30 horses taking to the top of the Ascot straight. And interestingly, one of the leading contenders arrives with past form around some Doncaster Mile runners, including a winner of the historic Randwick handicap. That is BEAT LE BON, who finished sixth in the inaugural Golden Eagle at Rosehill behind Kolding. That day, he finished in front of Brutal, who had won the Doncaster earlier that year. Beat Le Bon has not won since his Australia sojourn but he really caught the eye flashing home at Doncaster last week. If he can reproduce that form, he’s right in contention here, although I’m not sure that he’s drawn on the right side of the track in gate two. He’s taken ahead of MATTHEW FLINDERS.

Suggested Bet: Beat Le Bon EACH WAY

Race 6

The Windsor Castle Stakes for the speedy types sees Wesley Ward once again dominating the market with his two-year-olds. While he does have the favourite RUTHIN, I’m more taken personally by his other filly GOLDEN BELL, to be ridden by John Velazquez. She debuted with a big win on dirt at Keeneland in April and she has galloped well enough on turf. She does still look a bit green but I think she has enough speed to get the better of her stablemate. If the Americans don’t take the prize, perhaps the well-named BOONIE – racing in the familiar Seymour Bloodstock colours – can take the prize.

Suggested Bet: Golden Bell WIN

Race 7

The Kensington Palace Stakes, a handicap for the fillies and mares, is a new addition to this year’s Royal Ascot. The one who looks to have the most upside for mine is LOLA SHOWGIRL, who will be ridden by apprentice Laura Pearson. It would be a big story should she manage to get a victory here! She won at York last time out in an amateur riders’ race and, while she does need to find more, she looks capable of taking a step forward here. The main danger appears to be MOSTLY.

Suggested Bet: Lola Showgirl EACH WAY

PLAY OF THE DAY

Race 2 – Quinella #3 and #11

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