The Moët & Chandon International Stakes Betting Tips and Predictions

Saturday at the Berkshire venue of Ascot Racecourse is primarily about the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes, though that’s not the only highlight. The is of course the small matter of the The Moët & Chandon International Stakes, which is a superb contest in its own right.

This contest is a Class 2 Heritage Handicap, run over seven furlongs. It is prestigious in nature and carries a very healthy prize-pot, which is why plenty of owners and trainers have declared runners. 27 will go to post, with no less than £77,310 set to go to the winning connections.

Our Betting Tips and Predictions for The Moët & Chandon International Stakes

Ahead of this hugely competitive, big-field event, here are our best predictions and betting tips:

Our Best Prediction: Bopedro (each-way) @ 25/1

I could (and possibly should) go for something nearer the head of the market ahead of this 27-runner handicap, but it would be remiss of me not to lay down Bopedro as the best bet for this race as he is indeed my best bet.

As mentioned in the overall tips/preview for this meeting, this runner was very unlucky not to get his nose in front at Newmarket last time out. He was the best horse in the race on that occasion, but just could not get the gap that his rider was so desperately trying to find. Worry not, though, if you were on that day, and are looking to recoup any losses, you might just be in for a far greater pay day here.

The mount of Hollie Doyle, who certainly has a habit of weaving her way through to win races of this nature, has lots of positive form in the book. He’s a soft ground winner, while he knows all about running well in big fields. What I really like is the fact that he ran a blinder in the Buckingham Palace Stakes over course and distance at the Royal meeting. He was caught a bit too far back on that occasion, yet he still came through to finish well for sixth, beaten only three lengths. Such form is not to be ignored. From a 1lb lower in the weights, on softer ground, I can see him running a big race here, and all in all, he has credentials that for my money are strong enough to warrant a shorter price, so 25/1 is certainly worth taking.

Our Each Way Prediction: Star Of Orion (each-way) @ 20/1

There’s plenty to like about the in-form Star Of Orion here too. Ralph Beckett’s runner is very consistent having placed or won in three of his last four runs, while there was plenty about his performance when winning at Newmarket last time out to suggest that he’s got more to give. He won that race with something in hand, and he’s only gone up 1lb in the handicap, so he’s absolutely not out of this.

He doesn’t mind softer ground, while he ran very well in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket earlier this month. Sure, he finished four lengths behind the re-opposing Biggles, who won that race, but he’s now much better off at the weights with that rival, while he didn’t exactly get off to a good start on that occasion. If he can get better positioned under Rossa Ryan, then don’t be surprised to see this one come with a late dash.