Royal Ascot Day 2 Betting Tips: We preview Wednesday’s action
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Battaash and Frankly Darling stole the show on Day 1 at Royal Ascot, but now attention turns to Day 2 where Japan is the star attraction in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.
Aidan O’Brien had already seen one odds-on hotpot beaten after Mogul was turned over by Pyledriver in the King Edward VII Stakes on Tuesday. Will the same fate now befall last season’s Arc-fourth?
We’ve taken a look at his chances, plus every other race on the card this Wednesday, in our ITV Racing Tips.
Race 1 – Silver Royal Hunt Cup – 13:15
Jim Crowley was aboard the winner in the Buckingham Palace on Tuesday and he looks set to go close again in the opener on Day 2 courtesy of the lightly-raced Maydanny.
Mark Johnston’s inmate has reportedly been ‘transformed’ following a gelding operation and has already lit up the track once this season when running away with a minor event at Yarmouth.
He looks certain to progress on just his fourth racecourse start despite a 10lb rise in the weights, with a bold showing looking inevitable. Ouzo, Sir Busker and Alternative Fact are among the main dangers.
Race 2 – Hampton Court Stakes – 13:50
Three of the contenders from the 2000 Guineas reoppose here including the likeable Kenzai Warrior, who blew all chance at the start at Newmarket after almost unseating jockey Jason Watson.
It’s possible to put a line through that run, therefore, although connections can take plenty of encouragement from the way he stayed on well into ninth.
That suggests the extended 1m 2f on offer here should suit, while both his debut win and subsequent victory in the Group 3 Horris Hill add to his claims here.
Elsewhere, Russian Emperor went well in the Derrinstown, Juan Elcano finished fifth in the Guineas but will need to handle this trip, and Berlin Tango has to defy a penalty after winning the Classic Trial at Kempton.
Race 3 – King George V Stakes – 14:25
Bodyline has been the subject of support in this 1m 4f Handicap and it’s easy to see why. Sir Mark Prescott’s hopeful was progressive last term and ran well on reappearance to finish runner-up over shorter at York.
He stayed on well that day which suggests this trip is well within his limitations, while the winner that day has form last season with Kipps, who is also expected to be among the favourites here.
The trainer is operating at a 40% strike-rate with three-year-olds on the turf since racing resumed, and with a bit of luck to overcome an awkward draw, another big run is expected.
Race 4 – Prince of Wales’s Stakes – 15:00
Japan excelled last season to complete a hat-trick in the King Edward VII, Grand Prix de Paris and the Juddmonte International before producing a staying-on fourth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
That makes him the standout contender in the race, but at such a short price, plenty may be looking elsewhere in the field, with progressive pair Headman and Brigadier Gerard winner Lord North given an excellent chance.
Addeybb is another who shouldn’t be discounted. The six-year-old won the Wolferton at Royal Ascot 12 months ago and won a pair of Group 1s in Australia earlier this year with jockey Tom Marquand on board.
He retains the ride here, and if there’s any juice in the ground, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see William Haggas’s solid if unspectacular hopeful mount a serious challenge.
Race 5 – Royal Hunt Cup – 15:35
The Royal Hunt Cup is one of our favourite races of the entire festival, and while it’s a contest quite literally any of the 23-strong field could win, there’s a strong chance Afaak could be well placed to follow up.
Charlie Hills’s runner was runner-up in 2018 before going one better 12 months later. He’s on a 3lb higher mark than this time around but that can be cancelled out thanks to the 3lb claim of jockey Cieren Fallon.
The six-year-old ran well on reappearance in Bahrain and should run close again, with four-time course winner Raising Sand, the progressive Lord Tennyson and Dark Vision for Mark Johnston also expected to go well.
Race 6 – Windsor Castle Stakes – 16:10
While there may be a lack of international runners at this year’s meeting, you can always count on Wesley Ward to send a strong party over. He has two here with Sunshine City more favoured than Sheriff Blanco.
The Creative Cause filly won on debut at Gulfstream despite doing a lot wrong, and if she can take those lessons on board going into this, she could provide the trainer with a first win in the race since 2014.
She’s also had a much more satisfactory prep than a number of the other market principals, including Chief Little Hawk, Mighty Gurkha and Tactical, who should all be involved at the front.
Race 7 – Copper Horse Handicap – 16:40
There are plenty of chances in the final race of the day, with last year’s Duke of Edinburgh-third Fujaira Prince likely to attract plenty of attention as he steps up to this distance for the first time.
Roger Varian’s inmate shaped as though he’d enjoy the extended trip 12 months ago, and off the same mark, he makes for an interesting contender.
Collide and Ranch Hand are among the others to note, while Shailene could be worth a check in the market after bagging a Listed event at Milan last season and returning with a promising fourth at Haydock.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
