Royal Ascot selections Tuesday 17th June
The Royal meeting, arguably the highlight of the British racing calendar commences today at Ascot with the usual three Group 1 races giving us an electrifying start. Of those races, the opener looks of particular interest, so I have a selection from that contest, plus ones from each of the last three races on the card. Diligent Resdev was placed for the each-way bet in the previous column on Saturday (advised 8/1).
Royal Ascot 2.30: Lead Artist
Whilst acknowledging that Rosallion is a worthy favourite for the opener, there are enough reasons to oppose him and look at an each-way alternative in LEAD ARTIST instead.
There is no doubting Rosallion was a brilliant winner of the St James Palace on this card twelve months ago, but that was around a bend and this keen racer might find things harder on a straight track, particularly from a wide draw. Lead Artist got the better of him in the Lockinge at Newbury, and whilst the selection had a clear fitness edge on the day, I don’t think it is a certainty that the form will be turned around today.
There is not an abundance of pace in this race, but Lead Artist is comfortable racing at or near the front, as was the case at Newbury and indeed he made all to win at Glorious Goodwood last season. Fast ground is a must for him and he could enjoy a tactical advantage here. The booking of recent Juddmonte first jockey Colin Keane is another positive.
Royal Ascot 5.00: East India Dock, Manxman & Nurburgring
A very tricky handicap in which I am going to take a chance at oppose Willie Mullins’ duo in favour of three others.
EAST INDIA DOCK was a progressive stayer as a 3yo last season, winning over 2m at Goodwood in the autumn. He only maintained that momentum over hurdles, only narrowly defeated in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham. Whilst he appeared to be outstayed that day, stamina won him the day in the Chester Cup last month. Off the bridle on a few occasions, he rallied turning for home and was going away at the line.
I think another 2f here is well within his scope, especially on fast ground and he could yet cope with an 8lbs rise, especially as he is so battle hardened now.
MANXMAN is another progressive sort and a guaranteed stayer, exemplified by his agonisingly narrow defeat in the Cesarewitch last season. After running a decent second at Southwell on his return, he improved again to wear down Mr Hampstead over 2m at Goodwood last month.
I am sure a return to a marathon trip here will eke out some more improvement and he has the tactical pace to be close enough for the final sprint for home, especially from what should be a favourable draw in four. The only imponderable is whether he will cope with fast ground as he is fully proven on the AW and softer going, but has not raced on good-to-firm since winning off a mark of 46 on handicap debut at Windsor in 2023. If he copes with the going he will take all the beating.
A strong Irish challenge is almost inevitable in this race and I like the chances of NURBURGRING, the jack of all trades performer.
A runaway winner of the Galway Hurdle last year, he then went back to the flat to finish an eyecatching, fast finishing fourth in the Irish Cesarewitch. A winter spent chasing culminated in a battling fourth over this trip at the Cheltenham Festival.
His return to the flat at the Curragh over a ridiculously inadequate 10f was clearly just to get him prepped for today and I think he will relish the fast ground. Hopefully Colin Keane can use the first few furlongs to get him into a decent position to negate a wide draw. If he is close enough turning for home, he has a finishing burst that few will be able to match.
Royal Ascot 5.35: Kings Gambit
Wathnan Racing have set a poser by running four in this race and James Doyle has opted for the doubtful stayer Haatem. However I prefer the chances of KINGS GAMBIT who will have no issues with the 10f distance.
An impressive winner of the London Gold Cup last season at Newbury, defeating Poniros by 4l, he was then second here in a Group 3 at this meeting last season, where William Buick received plenty of criticism for leaving him with too much to do. He was then placed in two more group races before finishing down the field in the Champion Stakes here on soft ground.
He has been gelded since running fourth in Qatar over the winter but did not take well to blinkers when well beaten over 12f at Newbury on his return. Fully proven over this distance, the headgear comes off today and he should be well capable of competing at listed level
Royal Ascot 6.10: Real Dream
Something of a speculative selection for the finale, but there is enough form in handicap company to give REAL DREAM a definite chance here.
He has mixed handicaps and listed runs for his last six races, but he has not beaten a single horse home in the three listed races with a combined margin of defeat of 88l. In the hustle and bustle of a handicap though he has placed 3rd, 2nd and 3rd and it is those performances that put him right in the mix here.
A good third in the Rosebery at Kempton in March, over too short a trip, he showed his capabilities over this 14f when third in the Mallard at Doncaster and second on Guineas day at Newmarket. He was also a 4l winner over this course and distance back in 2023. Trainer Ian Williams knows how to plot one up for the big day, especially in the staying division and he looks overpriced.
Recommended bets:
1pt each-way – Lead Artist – 2.30 Ascot – 5/1 general
1pt each-way – East India Dock – 5.00 Ascot – 6/1 William Hill (1/5 odds 1st 5)
1pt each-way – Manxman – 5.00 Ascot – 10/1 William Hill (1/5 odds 1st 5)
0.5pts each-way- Nurburgring – 5.00 Ascot – 14/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 5)
1pt each-way – Kings Gambit – 5.35 Ascot – 9/2 (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 4)
0.5pts each-way – Real Dream – 6.10 Ascot – 33/1 Bet365 (1/5 odds 1st 5)
