Royal Ascot is unofficially the biggest meeting on the flat calendar in the UK. The meeting sees the best turf horses compete in their respective divisions, while at the same time fashion also takes center stage as the racecourse has one of the strictest dress codes of any sporting event in the world.
There are five days of action for punters to try to find a few winners and here are some tips for this year’s Royal meeting.
Ascot Gold Cup
Big Orange – The Ascot Gold Cup is one of the biggest races of the week at Royal Ascot and it is also one of the longest in trip with a distance of 3200m. Big Orange is a horse who has been in this division for a number of years now, however, he still appears to have all his enthusiasm for racing as he proved recently in the Group Three Henry II Stakes at Sandown where he prevailed by five lengths. Michael Bell’s runner is 16/1 to win the Ascot Gold Cup for the first time in his career and those odds look far too big.
Queen Anne Stakes
Ribchester – Richard Fahey’s stable star Ribchester looked back to his best in the Group One Lockinge Stakes at Newbury where he made all to claim the 1m contest. It’s hard to see his rivals reversing that form at Royal Ascot in the Queen Anne Stakes as the four-year-old should be in even better shape now he has had two runs under his belt in 2017. The Godolphin-owned colt finished second in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes last year behind Minding. Sadly Aidan O’Brien’s filly is out of action until the Autumn therefore at 7/4, Ribchester looks to be the best bet of the meeting.
Royal Hunt Cup
Hors De Combat – The Royal Hunt Cup is one of the hardest races to find a winner in at the meeting. However, don’t be afraid to back a couple of runners at big prices here. Hors De Combat is a horse which stands out at 40/1. The six-year-old has already had four runs in 2017 and has finished in the frame on three of those occasions. His trainer Denis Coakley has a strong yard of horses this year including Shelia’s Rock who was tipped by Oddschecker at 10/3 to break her maiden at Windsor recently before withdrawing due to ground concerns. If Hors De Combat gets a little luck in running, which you need in this race, he is capable of finishing in the placings.
Wokingham Handicap
Outback Traveller – Trainer Robert Cowell does particularly well in sprint races in the UK and it would be no surprise if he has further success in 2017 with Outback Traveller in the Wokingham Handicap over 1200m, the race he won in 2016. The six-year-old is 10/1 to defend his crown and he is sure to be in the mix come to the finish once again.
This year’s Royal Ascot meeting begins on Tuesday, June 20 and will conclude on Saturday, June 24 with the Queen Alexandra Stakes.
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