Matt Chapman tips: I'm all over these 16-1 and 12-1 picks on day three of Royal Ascot
ON paper today’s Ascot Gold Cup, is not a vintage renewal.
There’s nothing like an Ardross in here, or a Double Trigger or Yeats or even a Stradivarius.
That said, Eldar Eldarov, the St Leger hero, might just be a top class new kid on the extended distance block.
And we have Coltrane who is as solid as they come and has a great record here with two wins from three and a touched-off second.
Throw in the unbeaten Courage Mon Ami and former hero Subjectivist and the Gold Cup starts to become a fascination.
And then there is last year’s Hardwicke hero Broome going up to this extreme trip for the first time and Emily Dickinson who has always been held in high regard by Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore.
It’s all very interesting, actually.
However I am going to chance the talented but quirky YIBIR (4.10), who, like Broome, is untested at this gruelling two and a half mile trip.
I have no idea if he will stay, but he’s bred to and will be dropped out the back and ridden like a ‘non-trier’ to keep some gas in the tank.
If he’s on a going day he might just fly down the home straight, just as he did in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar where he beat Broome.
That was on firm ground, and a fast surface here would be right up his street.
I just think he’s the classiest horse in the line-up for Charlie Appleby and William Buick.
He is what I call a big ‘if’ selection at around 12-1 in a race that this morning may lack a true headline horse - but could well throw one up at the end of it.
We’ve had two glorious days of racing and the third day promises to be another scorcher.
We get under way with the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes for juveniles over five furlongs.
I’m all over ELITE STATUS (2.30) who looks something super special for Karl Burke and Clifford Lee.
It’s already been a good week for owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid and this colt absolutely bolted up in the Listed National Stakes at Sandown from a horse who looked good on debut.
He can use American Rascal who is drawn near him to lead him into the race before zooming clear to live up to his name.
The King George V Handicap for three-year-olds is up next over a mile and a half.
PERFUSE (3.05) might need cut in the ground but he has a nice draw and will be strong at the trip so I will chance him for Richard Kingscote and legend Sir Michael Stoute.
The son of Lope de Vega stayed on well to score at Doncaster last time.
I’m also with Stoute and Kingscote in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes for three-year-old fillies over a mile and a half.
Al Asifah will be all the rage here and she might well be different class to her rivals.
But she is far too short in the betting and her presence means there is some great value elsewhere.
I’m happy to punt INFINITE COSMOS (3.40). She was probably unsuited by making the running in the Musidora at York.
However shestill ran well in third behind Soul Sister who went on to take the Oaks in brilliant style for Frankie and the Gosdens.
My selection will love the step up in trip and is a cracking each-way bet at around 8-1.
After the Gold Cup is another handicap in the Brittania for three-year-olds over a mile. A wide open event.
RACINGBREAKS RYDER (5.00) is up 7lb for winning at Ascot on his most recent outing but he still might be able to keep the great run going for Charlie Hills and James McDonald.
Group 3 company for the Hampton Court Stakes for three-year-olds over a mile and a quarter.
WAIPIRO (5.35) was quietly fancied to win the Derby.
Things did not work out but he still ran with a lot of credit to finish sixth.
He’s big odds to put that right today but is worth a try for Tom Marquand and Ed Walker.
My hope should settle off a strong pace in this field and will appreciate a drop in distance.
His second at Lingfield was a really good effort and I’m not ready to give up on him quite yet. I might be after this!
Finally we have the Buckingham Palace Stakes Handicap over seven furlongs — just the sort of 30-runner handicap you want after a long day in the sun.
TOTALLY CHARMING (6.10) will be the one for me. He is high in the handicap off 101 but is still capable of running a big race here for George Boughey.
Billy Loughnane takes off a useful 3lb and my hope loves Ascot and was a fine eighth here in a big field last time.
He was ninth in the Hunt Cup last year over a bit further but this trip will suit better. Yeeehaaa!
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