Royal Ascot 2022 - Day 2

 

2:30 Queen Mary Stakes

Wesley Ward won this two years ago with Campanelle and has a good chance again in the shape of Love Reigns, however of those at the top of the market I like DRAMATISED. She was incredibly impressive on debut at Newmarket at the end of April, a performance that the clock watchers have been raving about since. Connections have made no secret of the regard they hold her in and, given that the yards two year olds normally improve significantly for their first run, she could prove very tough to beat.

At a bigger price I like CARMELA as an each-way angle. The daughter of Tasleet had an excuse for her sole defeat when missing the break and closing well to finish 5th in a listed contest at York. She got back on track with a win at Carlisle last time out with the second from that race winning subsequently, she showed a good battling attitude that day and could put that experience to good use. With firms paying as many as seven places each-way, I’m happy to back her at 28/1.

DRAMATISED 11/4

CARMELA 33/1


5:00 Royal Hunt Cup (Handicap)

This is one of my favourite races of the season and looks a fascinating puzzle to solve as usual. I’m writing this half way through day one and trying to get an angle on how the draw may play a part, which is proving difficult. Winners of the races on the straight track with big fields (more than 12 runners) thus far have been drawn 2 and 10, with the closers in the latter coming down the stands side. It is often a disadvantage to be drawn low with 4 of the last 5 winners being drawn in double figures, with the only winner being Real World who is now a high class group 1 performer. I don’t think there is many (if any) in here who posses the potential to achieve what he has. One potential exception is Legend Of Dubai, who was very impressive on the Rowley mile at Newmarket last time out but his price has collapsed since I started writing.

SYMBOLIZE looks a very solid each-way play given his excellent record on the Ascot straight track and his draw in 29 looks good with a decent amount of pace drawn around him. He was second twice to Aldaary who is now rated a stone better than the first of those two runs, whereas Andrew Balding’s runner remains only 2lb higher. He ran well on seasonal debut but the return to a big field handicap will suit much better and he remains unexposed over a mile.

I have concerns about ARATUS seeing out the mile here given how keenly he has raced over seven furlongs in recent starts, but he is bred to appreciate the step up in trip and may benefit from being able to get cover in a strongly run contest. His recent runs had their excuses too, racing alone on the stands side at Leicester didn’t help trying to settle him and he raced up the centre of the track in the Victoria cup here last month, so that 9th place finish is probably worth upgrading.

I also seem to have a direct debit for whenever BLESS HIM runs at on the straight track at Ascot, I can see him running on into the extra places with his usual late (too late) burst.

SYMBOLIZE 10/1

ARATUS 25/1

BLESS HIM 22/1

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