Royal Ascot 2021 - Day 2


Fresh from a 20/1 winner on day one hopefully everyone made a few quid yesterday. A lot of big prices amongst today’s selections so hopefully we can have another profitable day in Berkshire.

2:30 - Queen Mary (Group 2) 5f

I normally wouldn’t touch a race like this with a barge pole but there is one in here I’m going to have a small interest in in the form of EVE LODGE. First season sire Ardad has got off to a decent start and was well represented on day one of the royal meeting when Vintage Clarets ran a blinder to finish third in the Coventry. Charlie Fellowes’ filly caught the eye on debut over course and distance and duly broke her maiden tag, albeit in a weak contest, at Lingfield last time out. Jamie Spencer retains the ride which can always go down as a positive at Ascot, she looks overpriced and could be worth a few pennies each-way with extra places on offer.

EVE LODGE 25/1


3:05 - Queen’s Vase (Group 2) 1m6f

A lot of these in here look like they could improve for a step up in trip and for that reason I don’t want to be taking too short a price about anything. TAIPAN is one at a double figure price who has looked like he has been screaming out for a longer trip and he gets that today, as well as first time blinkers which could eek out even more improvement. Jessica Harrington has enjoyed good success at the royal meeting over the last couple of years and hopefully this son of Frankel can add to that. With 4 places widely available I’ll be playing each-way.

TAIPAN 10/1


3:40 - Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2) 1m

Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy did us a favour on day one and I think they have a chance of getting another winner on the board together here with BOUNCE THE BLUES. She looked desperately unlucky not to win a group 3 at Lingfield last time out and would probably be a few points shorter if she came here as a last time out winner. Most firms are offering 4 places each-way and I’ll be having a small bet. Lady Bowthorpe is a worthy favourite and is 4lb clear of the field on official ratings, with her recent second to Palace Pier boosted in the Queen Anne Stakes yesterday. With a course and distance win to her name as well the only thing missing is a price, 2/1 isn’t my kind of bet but I wouldn’t put anyone off.

BOUNCE THE BLUES 25/1




17:00 - Royal Hunt Cup (Handicap) 1m

This is my favourite race of the meeting and, without wanting to speak too soon, I usually have a pretty decent record in it. I’m going to have a few selections as it’s a big field and there looks to be plenty of each-way value with all the extra places on offer.

First up is Irish raider LAFAYETTE for Noel Meade and Colin Keane. He posted a clear career best when winning a big handicap at the Curragh on seasonal debut, with the second from that contest going on to land a Group 3 subsequently. Finishing fourth on his next start may look disappointing on paper but when you delve deeper it was actually a very very good run in the circumstances. He was drawn widest of all and had to come from much further back than ideal, he then met trouble in the closing stages and was closing all the way to the line. Now 2lb well in after that run, he looks to have been laid out for this by a very shrewd operator.

From the front end of the market I do like the look of ASTRO KING for Sir Michael Stoute. He won seasonal debut at Nottingham in a race which has worked out very well with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th all winning subsequently. His third in the Thirsk Hunt Cup next time out is worthy of an upgrade as he came very wide turning for home and came from miles back to close down the leaders. Given his trainer tends to be fairly patient with these improving horses it would be no surprise to see him take another big step up and be involved at the finish here.

Finally, although I fear he may be drawn on the wrong side, I will be having a few quid each-way on BEAT LE BON after a couple of eye catching runs so far this year. He is another horse who is 2lb well in thanks to a very good run at Doncaster last week, rattling home from an unpromising positioned to be beaten only a neck by an unexposed improving type. Despite those concerns about the draw, he looks well treated enough to chance each-way with Hollie Doyle in the saddle today.

LAFAYETTE 22/1

ASTRO KING 10/1

BEAT LE BON 25/1

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