High Standing and Jimmy Styles are both priced at single-figure odds for the 6f Wokingham Handicap and it's easy to see why.
HIGH STANDING (8/1 Ladbrokes) is two from two since joining William Haggas at the start of the season and is just the type for the race, which is always run at a hectic pace. It was hard not to be impressed by the way he quickened off a strong gallop at Goodwood last time and the fact he stays further is a major plus as the race often goes to horses with winning form over 7f. The stable were unlucky not to win last year's race with King's Apostle, who is now running in Group races, and the fast-improving High Standing will no doubt be joining his stablemate at some stage soon.
JIMMY STYLES (9 Betfair) has a similar profile in that he too has won in stylish fashion since the weights were published and is clearly ahead of the handicapper. The way he traveled and quickened when winning what looked a competitive Newmarket handicap last time out is just what you need in a Wokingham contender, and he already has winning form at Ascot, which is a bonus. His trainer Clive Cox doesn't have the ammo for the big races, but he's been hitting the mark with his handicappers this season and has won the Britannia Stakes and Royal Hunt Cup at past royal meetings.
For me, the pair are are the only truly progressive sorts in the 28 runner field and, as the draw has been kind to both, my advice is to split stakes. Last year, seven races took place over 6f and 7f at Royal Ascot and all seven winners were drawn within four positions of either rail, with four drawn low and three drawn high. Jimmy Styles and High Standing are drawn one and 28 respectively.
Of the rest, I have a healthy respect for both Genki (11/1 Coral) and Something (14/1 bet365). The first-named is two from two over 6f at Ascot and will be spot on after his run behind JJ The Jet Plane at Windsor last time, while Something is a regular in these big sprints and is trained by David Nicholls, whose runners should never be ignored in these type of races.
The Thirsk handler has four other entries including Striking Spirit, who comes into the reckoning on the form he showed when beating Jimmy Styles over this course and distance last month, albeit with a fitness edge. He's run below that level on his last two starts but wasn't suited to the track at Epsom last time and, at 33/1 with Skybet, he's one for each-way backers.
Recommended Bets:
Jimmy Styles 2pts @ 9 (Betfair)
High Standing 2pts @ 8/1 Ladbrokes