It was a fairly solid start to Royal Ascot for the Racing Club insider, who tipped up the winners in the final two races on the opening day. He’s hoping to find more winners with his through the card selections for day two.
2:30 – Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2)
I think Andrew Balding could have another special horse on his hands with KASSAYA. The half-sister to 2000 Guineas winner Chaldean would have won on debut had she been abit wiser to the job, and she made no mistake next time out to win comfortably at Nottingham earlier this month. She looks a highly promising filly and she’s drawn nicely in stall 21 (4 of the last 5 winners were drawn in stall 17 or higher), so I’d be disappointed if she didn’t go close in the opener.
Selection – KASSAYA (9/1 generally)
3:05 – Queen’s Vase (Group 2)
A P O’Brien’s record in the race is impressive so it’s risky to take him on, espeically when he has four runners in the race. I think Illinois will be his best chance, but there’s another Irish raider I’m going to take him on with – Jessica Harrington’s BIRDMAN. He’s 2/2 currently, including a win at Listed level, running out a comfortable winner in the process. His form has substance too, having easily beaten O’Brien’s Highbury on debut, and although that runner won easily next time, I’m struggling to see why he’s a shorter price than the selection.
Selection – BIRDMAN (9/2 generally)
3:45 – Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2)
This looks a great opportunity for ROGUE MILLENIUM to win back-to-back renewals of this race. She has changed hands since that win but is now with Joseph Patrick O’Brien, which is an upgrade if anything. Her reappearance run was pleasing and I’m confident she’d have won if she didn’t get repeatedly blocked when asked for her effort, and I feel her closest rival Laurel will need this run after being off the course for over a year. For those looking for one at a bigger price, I wouldn’t put anybody off of Novus, who is weighted to reverse form with Royal Dress, although I feel her odds might be inflated due to her preference for softer ground.
Selection – ROGUE MILLENIUM (11/4 generally)
4:25 – Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1)
Nine of the last ten winners of this race were rated 117+, so that rules out all except four runners – Auguste Rodin, Inspiral, Horizon Dore and Alflaila. Of those, Horizon Dore will struggle on the ground, Inspiral is drawn too wide for my liking and I simply cannot see how Alflaila can reverse form with AUGUSTE RODIN, so it’s the latter who gets my vote. Admittedly, he has run some shockers in his career, but his record on good or better reads 2111102 (4-7), with the poor effort coming on the back of a 147 day break, and he does tend to need his first run after a break. I think he will take the world of beating in this.
Selection – AUGUSTE RODIN (13/8 generally)
5:05 – Royal Hunt Cup (Class 2)
I think both Wathnan Racing runners have a big chance, but I’m trusting that James Doyle has picked right so I’m siding with BESHTANI. The lightly-raced 4YO has an only finished outside the top two once (which came on debut), and the form of his runner-up effort on British debut received a boost when the winner followed up off a 5lbs higher mark next time out. The selection remains on the same mark after that effort and I think he’s due to run a big race. He fits plenty of the trends for recent winners of the race so he’s a confident each way bet at double-figure odds.
Selection – BESHTANI (10/1 generally)
5:40 – Kensington Palace Stakes (Class 2)
This race looks wide open and I’m taking a bit of a punt on one who I feel is hugely overpriced – Roger Varian’s CELL SA BEELA. She may have flopped on her seasonal reappearance, but she often needs that first run and I’m willing to forgive her for that. Her final run last year saw her win a Listed race here despite meeting trouble in running, and the form of that race has worked out well, with the runner-up winning a Group 3 this year. She’s been dropped 1lb for her poor run last time out and I just think she’s far too big a price, with plenty of bookies offering six places.
Selection – CELL SA BEELA (33/1 generally)
6:15 – Windsor Castle Stakes (Class 1 Listed)
First off, I have to mention Brosay, who is one of the Racing Club VIP Syndicate horses. I cannot believe he’s available at 50/1 (correct at time of writing), and think he’s more than capable of running into a place, with the fantastic Diego Dias one of the most promising new trainers on the scene in recent years. For win purposes, I’m keen on another Wathnan Racing runner – Richard Fahey’s SHADOW ARMY. He put in an excellent performance on debut to win despite a slow start and meeting trouble in running, and the runner-up franked the form by winning a Listed race next time out. I’m expecting him to go extremely close in here.
Selection – SHADOW ARMY (11/2 generally)
DAY 2 SELECTIONS
2:30 – KASSAYA (9/1 generally)
3:05 – BIRDMAN (9/2 generally)
3:45 – ROGUE MILLENIUM (11/4 generally)
4:25 – AUGUSTE RODIN (13/8 generally)
5:05 – BESHTANI (10/1 generally)
5:40 – CELL SA BEELA 33/1 generally)
6:15 – SHADOW ARMY (11/2 generally)
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- RC Syndicate V
- Flat
- 3yo
- Colt
- 1500 Shares
Dunstan has been a revelation since joining Racing Club, winning four races in 2024, having failed to win with his previous trainer. The statistics are showing he is improving with each run and the three-year-old looks to have an extremely bright future ahead of him.
- RC Syndicate VI
- Flat
- 3yo
- Gelding
- 1500 Shares
Brodie’s Boy is an exciting three-year-old gelding who has won once and finished runner-up twice from just six races to date. After making an eye-catching debut, he finished runner-up in his next two races behind a couple of promising runners at Lingfield and Wolverhampton respectively.
- RC Syndicate IV
- Flat
- 3yo
- Filly
- 2000 Shares
Greycee Bell is a gorgeous three-year-old filly who recorded an impressive top speed of 42.1mph on her debut, and has since run in some warm races. She’s been given a low handicap mark, and we’re hopeful she should be much more competitive in her upcoming races.
- RC Syndicate l
- Jumps
- 5yo
- Gelding
- 4,000 Shares
Wendigo had a fantastic start to his rules career last season, winning two of his three bumper races, most recently winning well under a penalty. Trained by Jamie Snowden, we’re eagerly awaiting his novice hurdle campaign in the 24/25 season.
