Royal Ascot day two tips 2019
Day two of Royal Ascot is upon us and the Prince Of Wales's (3.40pm) could be one of the races of the year, although Sea Of Class' participation will depend on trainer William Haggas being satisfied with the ground this morning.
With less than 0.5mm of rain between the end of racing on Tuesday and 8am this morning, the going was changed to good to soft on the straight course and soft, good to soft in places on the round course (from soft), with further showers forecast before racing.
The rest of the card is bang up to scratch with speedy fillies taking flight in the Queen Mary (2.30pm), some St Leger clues possibly emerging in the Queen's Vase (3.05pm) and the Royal Hunt Cup (5.00pm), one of the big betting handicaps of the flat season.
2.30pm: Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2)
Wesley Ward's pair Anna's Fast and Kimari add further spice to an already intriguing renewal, with the latter likely to be the better equipped to cope with the Ascot turf. Divine Spirit, however, could prove the pick of Godolphin's Newmarket-based runners and gets the overall vote as well following her impressive debut in a good time at Windsor. She is drawn close to the Ward representatives so should be in the heart of the action. Tango is no forlorn hope for team O'Brien who went close in this race last year. Flaming Princess, Ickworth and Liberty Beach are all unbeaten and also considered, especially the last named who impressed in landing the Hilary Needler at Beverley.
Tip: Divine Spirit 15/2
3.05pm: Queen's Vase (Group 2)
He was beaten 7l when eighth in the Derby, but that does not tell the whole story about Norway, who raced in second for much of the Epsom Classic. Those who raced prominently did not last and on top of that he was not going to be beaten all that far until he was short of room close to home. He has potential as he goes up in trip and can continue Aidan O'Brien's fine recent record in this race. Stablemate Western Australia is feared most after his 1m5f Listed win at Navan last month. Eminent Authority is next on the list, making just his third start and having shown plenty of staying promise. Jalmoud and Nate The Great are others who could run well.
Tip: Norway 10/1
3.40pm: Prince Of Wales's Stakes (Group 1)
There's no Masar but this is still a tremendous race in prospect with six of the eight runners top-flight winners and a host of star names among them. Crystal Ocean looks by some way the best of the male contingent but he would appeal more at 1m4f and this may well be between the fillies Magical (nap) and Sea Of Class. The latter was unlucky not to win last season's Arc and, with the drop back to 1m2f of no concern, is much respected. However, she missed her intended return in May, which just sows a seed of doubt as to whether she'll be quite at her peak today. By contrast, Magical comes here after three excellent wins this season, last time in great style in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup. That easy win is top-class class form and O'Brien's filly is readily preferred.
Tip: Magical (nap/best bet of the day) 7/4
4.20pm: Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2)
Sir Michael Stoute may well hold the key, with his fillies Veracious and Rawdaa appealing most. Veracious ran much better than on her reappearance when third to Anna Nerium at Epsom last time and she can come back to last season's very smart form and take this. The return to 1m is enough of a concern to swing the verdict away from Rawdaa, who nonetheless has plenty going for her and is next best ahead of Pretty Baby and Threading.
Tip: Veracious 9/1
5.00pm: Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap)
Having dodged the rain for several days, Ascot was not so lucky yesterday and it may be the same today. Soft ground, or even good to soft, would be a major help in narrowing down the host of major candidates and can see What's The Story and Raising Sand to the fore, with What's The Story (last year's fourth) holding a serious each-way chance even if the rain has stayed away. New Graduate is a possible blot on the handicap but he's inexperienced, the handicapper has put him up 15lb and it remains to be seen whether stall one is the place to be. Chief Ironside would be the selection on good ground but, along with Seniority and 2018 Hunt Cup winner Settle For Bay, he has much more to prove if it has rained. Robin Of Navan is very interesting and it is not hard to envisage Mordin, or of course Kynren, being on the premises.
Tip: What’s The Story 12/1
5.35pm: Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed)
Temple Of Heaven will have learned plenty when scoring in a rough race at Newbury last month and he's a strong contender, while Wesley Ward's pair, Foolish Humor and Karak, along with recent debut winner Better The Devil, are unknown quantities with plenty of improvement on the cards. Southern Hills has bundles of ability and may be played late this time, while Platinum Star is another with further potential if breaking smartly. Andrew Balding's juveniles tend to come on a good deal from their first starts, though, and the fact that Symbolize, who was strong in the market on his debut, was able to create such a good impression at Salisbury bodes very well for his prospects.
