Matt Chapman tips: It's been a howler for the Aussies at Royal Ascot but they'll bag a big winner on Saturday
IT’S not been a great Ascot for the Aussies so far.
But as the meeting draws to a close it might just be a ‘g’day’ for our friends from Down Under.
There’s no doubt Artorius has a huge chance for the raiders in the feature Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes over six furlongs.
Then Deauville Legend might surprise a few in the Hardwicke over a mile and a half. He was last seen in the Melbourne Cup.
One thing is for sure, it’s been a tough five days for may punters.
But, as always, the Royal Berkshire extravaganza has been fantastic.
The Royal victory of Desert Hero in the King George V Stakes on Thursday will have been the highlight for many, and what a training performance by William Haggas and ride by Tom Marquand.
And then there has been that man Frankie Dettori. His Gold Cup success was magical on so many levels, but mostly because Courage Mon Ami came into the event so lightly raced for John & Thady Gosden.
It won’t have been lost on Dettori that his ride 12 months earlier on Stradivarius for the Gosden team in the Gold Cup was slated by connections.
Bradsell landed his second Royal Ascot victory for Hollie Doyle in the King’s Stand, while Paddington was supreme in the battle of the 2,000 Guineas winners in the St James’s Palace.
Hopefully there will be a rematch in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.
Vauban was awesome for Willie Mullins in the Copper Horse. He just destroyed them.
And then there was Mostahdaf powering clear in the Princes of Wales’s Stakes and Tahiyra took yesterday’s Coronation Stakes for Dermot Weld.
Racing has been the winner.
And what we want is another one of those today.
I’ll be sticking with ARTORIUS (3.40) under brilliant James McDonald for the Freedman brothers.
Artorius is not world class, but he’s very good and was third in a huge field for today’s big dash twelve months ago behind Naval Crown.
He’s changed his running style from being a deep closer to sitting nearer the pace and provided he gets a little cover he should stay on very well.
Day Five gets under way with the Chesham Stakes for juveniles over seven furlongs.
I’ll be hoping Ryan Moore is on the wrong Aidan O’Brien runner here as it’s CONTENT (2.30) for me with Wayne Lordan on board.
The son of Galileo wasn’t strong in the market at 5-1 on debut but ran on really strongly into third in a small field and there might be much more to come.
The proven stamina at this trip is a plus and I will have a few quid on each-way.
Group 3 company for the Jersey Stakes over seven furlongs.
HOLLOWAY BOY (3.05) is a character but startled everyone with a 40-1 success in last year’s Chesham.
After that he ran well in defeat behind Marbaan at Goodwood and Auguste Rodin at Doncaster.
He blew out in the 2,000 Guineas but has not been on fast ground since his Ascot victory. It might be that’s what he loves. I’ll have a few quid on eachway.
After the Queen Elizabeth II Hukum is the one to beat in the Hardwicke but I’m happy to back DEAUVILLE LEGEND (4.20) each-way.
He stays this trip well and will be ridden off the pace so can pick up pieces.
The Wokingham Handicap is over six furlongs. So hard!
FRESH (5.00) will surely be primed for a big run again at this track for James Fanshawe.
He loves Ascot and he landed the International in 2022. He was also second in the 2021 Wokingham.
The Golden Gates is for three-year-olds over a mile and a quarter.
KNOCKBREX (5.35) is interesting for Charlie Johnston.
He’s been running over a bit further and looked as though he would love this trip when tiring at York.
Finally the Queen Alexandra Stakes. Stratum will be all the rage for Willie Mullins but it’s the Cesarewitch hero RUN FOR OSCAR (6.10).
I want to be on for Charles Byrnes and Jim Crowley.
Remember to gamble responsibly
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
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