Mizzou picked to strike in the big one in Royal Ascot’s best bets
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Ladies Day at Royal Ascot sees arguably the race they all want to win take centre stage – the Gold Cup.
We may have lost a couple of the principles to the combination of injuries and the weather, but it still looks a red hot renewal of the 2m4f contest.
That race was one of the three big showdowns we chewed the fat over in our latest Royal Ascot podcast…
Remember, if you back a winner at 4/1 or bigger you could land yourself a free bet of up to £25.
Here’s who we fancy to strike…
We’ve already seen a couple of short-priced favourites get turned over in these juvenile contests, and this one could go the same way.
Richard Hannon’s colt was unruly in the paddock before his debut at Ascot in the backend of April, and might have been seen to blow all his chances.
However, he quickened very impressively to put the field to the sword in clear cut fashion over course and distance.
Subsequent Coventry Stakes winner Buratino was one of those in behind that day, so the form looks solid and with the majority of the Hannon’s horses needing their first run of the season, any improvement can see him overturn the favourite.
Forgotten Rules has been one of the big talking horses in the build up to the meeting, but with the ground going against him the improving Mizzou could be the one to be one.
He powered clear in the Sagaro Stakes here on only his sixth career start in nice style, with Vent De Force – who went on to win at Sandown next time out – in behind.
An extra 4f shouldn’t be much of an issue as he looked to be drawing clear in the closing stages that time, and the added test could well suit.
He’s two from two on good to firm, has stepped up with every run, and is going the right way to take arguably the most prestigious contest of the week.
Like Mizzou, Rocky Rider is by Galileo, out of a Darshaan mare, so he too should appreciate a step up in trip in the final race on Thursday.
Andrew Balding’s colt plugged on in the latter stages when fourth in a Listed contest over 1m2f at Newmarket last time out, having finished ½l behind subsequent Prix Hocquart runner-up Cape Clear Island before that.
He is set to carry top weight, although the 7lb claim of young talent Edward Greatrex will go some way to negate that.
Historically those carrying low weights have gone well, but with the last two winners saddling more than 9st, it could be worth taking the Qatar-owned colt continuing that trend.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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