Shortte’s Royal Ascot Thursday Preview

Posted on June 22, 2017June 22, 2017 | Posted by David Shortte

Royal Ascot – Day Three

Highland Reel stole the show on day 2 taking out the Group 1 Prince Of Wales Stakes and taking his career prize earnings past $10 million in the process.

Day Three promises to deliver some more first class racing and the highlight of the night will be the Group 1 Gold Cup over the 4000 metres. It is so often a race used as a form reference for the European Raiders when they come down for a tilt at the Melbourne Cup each year.

TABtouch have enabled Superpick options on the six race program at Royal Ascot and you can now use your daily Superpick to increase your odds for a win, improve your odds for a place or take money back for second.

Race One (Group 2 Norfolk Stakes – 1000 metres 2 Year Olds)

McErin is another of the boom 2 year old’s from the USA stables of Wesley Ward. Won in impressive fashion over 900 metres on debut at Keeneland before going under as favourite at Churchill Downs over 1000 metres when a close up third. Has to translate the dirt form to turf but looks an exciting youngster.

Card Sharp is a son of Lohnro who has had the advantage of having 4 career starts and has won two of them as well as a second and a 4^th. Ran second behind De Bruyne Horse over 1200 metres at Epsom two back and that form is now franked with De Bruyn Horse running well in the Coventry Stakes on Tuesday. Looks a great each way chance at the $15.

Santry has not done a thing wrong winning his two career starts, both over 1000 metres at Doncaster and York. Right in the mix.

Havana Grey is another that comes in with good claims after winning his last two starts, the most recent at Listed level over 1000 metres at Sandown. Frozen Angel is another that should be considered for novelty players.

TABtouch Market : McErin $5.50, Santry $7.50, Havana Grey $9, It Don’t Come Easy $9, Nine Below Zero $9.50, Frozen Angel $10, True Blue Moon $13, Others $15 and upwards.

Race Two (Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes – 2000 metres 3 Year Olds)

Aiden O’Brien and Ryan Moore combine in this with Orderofthegarter who is coming off a 6^th placing in the Group 1 French Derby where he was beaten by less than 3 lengths behind Brametot. Won a listed affair at Leapordstown over the mile three starts ago and clearly has his share of ability. Wearing cheekpieces for the first time here and looms as a key runner.

Mirage Dancer is a son of Frankel who won a 1400 metre Maiden at Doncaster on debut before beginning poorly and finishing on ok when 4^th behind Derby runner-up Cliffs of Moher over 2000 metres at Chester. Trained by Sir Michael Stoute and will be ridden by the talented Andre Atzeni. Well thought of.

Benbatl is a Godolphin 3 year old who has some solid performance at his last three starts, all at Group level.  Three starts back was placed in a Group 3 over the Mile at Newmarket before finishing runner-up in a Group 2  over 2000 metres at York. Last time out finished 5^th in the Group 1 Derby at Epsom. Definite threat.

Two runners that should be included at bigger odds are Larchmont Lad ($23) and Kings Gift ($51).

TABtouch Market : Mirage Dancer $5, Benbatl $5.50, Irishcorrespondent $7, Orderofthegarter $7, Tamleek $8.50, Bay Of Poets $11, Taj Mahal $15, Others $21 and upwards.

Race 3 (Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes – 2400 metres, 3 Year Old Fillies)

For the second race in a row Sir Michael Stoute saddles up a Frankel 3 Year Old with strong claims in the form of Mori. After finishing 5^th on debut behind Gracious Diana she has gone bang, bang with wins of a Maiden over 2000 metres at Ascot and last start in a listed fillies stakes over 2000 metres at Goodwood. Improving with every start.

Fastnet Rock three year old Alluringly is another improving type who won a Maiden over 1800 metres at Tipperary three starts back before finishing second in a Listed Fillies Stakes over 2200 metres and then third in the Group 1 Oaks over 2400 metres at Epsom. Has the combo of O’Brien and Moore and looks to be on the up.

Gracious Diana is rated a $17 chance and she did defeat Mori convincingly just three starts back.   A similar performance would see her well in the finish again.

Two others to include at odds are Serenada at $16 and Rich Legacy at $26.

TABtouch Market : Mori $3.40, Alluringly $4.20, Coronet $8.50, Naughty Or Nice $8.50, Astronomy’s Choice $10, Hertford Dancer $13, Others $16 and upwards.

Race Four (Group 1 Gold Cup – 4000 metres)

Order Of St George has been one of the most spruiked favourites of the week. He won this race last year in grand fashion and in a race where there looks to be tempo up front should be able to swoop over the top of them late. Was a beaten favourite at his first run back this time in when runner-up in a Group 3 in Navan but bounced back to winning form last time out in easier class at Leapordstown in a Listed affair over 2800 metres. O’Brien and Moore again look to have a horse aimed up specifically at this race and that often equates to success.

Big Orange is a well-travelled customer who has run in the Melbourne Cup the last two years and finished 5^th (2015) and 10^th (2016).  Two starts back finished 4^th over the 2 miles in a Group 2 at Meydan and last start returned to the Winner’s List when successful in the Group 3 Henry II Stakes over 3200 metres at Sandown. Likes to race on speed and if he can get the right sort of run in transit will take some running down.

Charlie Appleby has already had a successful start to the week and he saddles up Endless Time here. The trip is a query but has run some cracking races and is up to this level.

Trip To Paris, Simple Verse and Sweet Selection are all worthy of inclusion for your novelties.

TABtouch Market : Order Of St George $1.90, Big Orange $8.50, Simple Verse $9, Sheikhzayedroad $11, Sweet Selection $15, Others $18 and upwards

Race Five (Britannia Stakes – 1600 metres)

With a field of 32 runners in this field there will be no Tote betting available on this event. Fixed odds each way betting will be available.

In a very tricky lineup Afaak might be worth a small speck.

Race 6 (King George V Stakes – 2400 metres)

Atty Persse is a son of Frankel who has already been successful in two mile races at Sandown and heads into this race with the right sort of form. The extra trip will be the query,

Mister Manduro has been strong to the line of late and with tempo on up front could be charging into it at the business end. At good each way odds.

Master Singer and Bin Battuta are also worthy of consideration.

TABtouch Market : Atty Persse $6, Master Singer $7.50, Sofia’s Rock $8.50, Tartini $11, Others $12 and above

Best Bets

• Order Of St George in the Gold Cup
• Cardsharp each way at $15
• Mori at $3.40

Bet Now!