Royal Ascot 2022 - Day 3



2:30 Norfolk Stakes (Group 1)

I was already sweet on WALBANK for this before the week got started and after Royal Scotsman’s big run in the coventry it has only made me more confident. I don’t play short priced ones too often but I’ll be happy to take anything above 6/4 so I have to take the 2/1 currently on offer. The Antarctic is an obvious danger but his form didn’t get franked in the same way when Wadao ran on Wednesday, he’s obviously open to improvement but the favourite should be tough to beat.

WALBANK 2/1


5:00 Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap)

The current favourite is King Of Time who runs in the blue of Godolphin, but I fancy their supposed second string TRANQUIL NIGHT. He was mightily impressive on the Rowley mile back in April winning by over 3 lengths, the runner up has won twice since and is now 13lb higher, the third is 6lb higher, and the 4th has also won since. So although the 11lb rise he got for that seemed harsh initially, it was probably fair and with further progress likely he appeals as an each-way bet.

The fact that THESIS has been beaten at short prices the last three outings isn’t the most appealing form, but I think he could be well suited to this test and odds of 20/1 underestimate his chances. The seven furlong trip was probably inadequate last time out and the track at Lingfield probably didn’t suit on the all-weather the time before. His only run over a straight mile in a big field was on seasonal debut when finishing second to My Prospero off levels at Newbury. That rival is now rated 114 and ran a blinder to be beaten only a neck in the St James’ Palace Stakes earlier this week, the third from that Newbury race is now rated 94 so this mark of 90 for Ryan Moore’s mount could prove lenient. 

TRANQUIL NIGHT 8/1

THESIS 20/1


6:10 Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap)

Its not often I’ll back a nine year old at Royal Ascot but I have a massive soft spot for CHIEFOFCHIEFS, and with Jamie Spencer back on board I can’t let him go unbacked. He finished 18th of 27 runners in the Victoria Cup over course and distance last month but that does not tell the full story. Held up at the back of the field to deliver his usual late burst, I think its fair to say Hayley Turner waited longer than ideal to ask him to pick up and by the time she did there was a wall of horses in front of her, he practically finished on the bridle so I’m happy to put a line through that run. He was only beaten three lengths when left with far too much to do over course and distance off a mark of 99, he’s 3lb lower and looks solid with plenty of extra places available.

I am writing this shortly after the the Royal Hunt Cup on Wednesday and the result of that has boosted my confidence in my next selection for this contest. The winner of that race was poorly drawn in the Victoria Cup over 7f here earlier this year and had to race in the centre, whereas the first four home all raced near side. STAR OF ORION was hampered at the start of the race and also raced in the centre and finished ahead of Dark Shift. He was only beaten a short head over course and distance last year off 97 where he won the race on his side of the track, only 1lb higher I think he could outrun odds of 25/1.

CHIEFOFCHEIFS 14/1

STAR OF ORION 25/1

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