Friday’s Royal Ascot Tips
14:30 – Navassa Island
15:05 – Little Big Bear
15:40 – Live Your Dream (NAP)
16:20 – Tahiyra
17:35 – Continuous
18:10 – Jer Batt
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
14:30 – Navassa Island
The 2-y-o races have been hard to read so far this year, with a 150/1 winner in the Norfolk Stakes, so it’s hard to go overboard here. Navassa Island ran really well to chase home Porta Fortuna on debut, and given the winner had the benefit of a run, she is taken to turn the tables. That looked quite a deep race, but the front two came clear and the form ought to stand up at a higher level.
15:05 – Little Big Bear
Little Big Bear should give favourite backers some respite as he looks to have outstanding claims in the Commonwealth Cup, with the race likely to be run to suit. Shaquille could be a big danger, but I fear he will over-race in front, and that should allow Little Big Bear to sit in behind and pounce late for what I hope will be a straightforward victory.
If Shaquille does go too fast, then expect the reliable Shoulvebeenaring to run on late for a place. He was second to Little Big Bear in the Sandy Lane Stakes, and looks overpriced in the market without the favourite, or underneath Little Big Bear in exotics.
15:40 – Live Your Dream (NAP)
High draws could again dominate in the Duke of Edinburgh, and Live Your Dream (Nap) makes most appeal. He was off for two years before an excellent second to Cumulonimbus at Haydock last time, showing surprising tactical speed for a horse whose previous run had been in the Cesarewitch. It’s interesting that he comes here rather than wait for the Northumberland Plate for which he’s been touted, and I think a stiff mile and a half around Ascot should suit based on how he shaped last time. His wide draw is a plus, and he should get the race run to suit.
There are plenty of dangers, but one I fear at a big price is Jack Darcy, who was an unlucky loser on his only handicap start, and has largely been running creditably in Listed company, at least when stamina has been at a premium. He should outrun massive odds, and could even spring a shock.
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16:20 – Tahiyra
Tahiyra has blindingly obvious claims, having beaten Meditate in the Irish 1000 Guineas, and that filly looks by far her main danger again. It would be no surprise to see Meditate close the gap again, and a reverse forecast isn’t the worst call for the risk-averse.
17:35 – Continuous
I can’t help feeling that this race might come too soon for Derby runner-up King Of Steel, and whether running two quick races on fast ground is a positive for such a big, heavy-topped is separate concern. Continuous flopped in the French Derby, but Aidan O’Brien sends him here as the only stable representative, and that suggests that much better is expected of a colt who caught the eye when dead-heating for third in the Dante.
Artistic Star also shaped well in the Derby, and he is worth considering as an alternative or in exotics with the selection. It will be the latter for me.
18:10 – Jer Batt
I’m a tad concerned that a draw in stall 28 might be too high, but Jer Batt impressed me when bolting up at Musselburgh and while that was on soft ground, it rarely gets deep at the East Lothian venue, and I think he will cope fine with quicker ground. He ran well turned out quickly at Chester last time, but I thought heavy ground was against him, and after going clear he was hauled back on the post. He’s much higher in the weights now, but that’s fully deserved, and he has a likeable and progressive profile since joining David & Nicola Barron.
Friday’s Royal Ascot Tips
14:30 – Navassa Island
15:05 – Little Big Bear
15:40 – Live Your Dream (NAP)
16:20 – Tahiyra
17:35 – Continuous
18:10 – Jer Batt
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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