Feeling depressed about England's chances in the World Cup? A winner or two at Royal Ascot would certainly help and the following insights might just steer you in the right direction.
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2:30 Chesham Stakes (Listed Race) 7f
Aidan O'Brien, fresh from a double on Friday, saddles the likely favourite here in Jackaroo. The Galileo colt certainly looked the part when winning on his debut over this trip at Gowran Park and the form has been boosted by the runner-up Eskimo, who had no trouble landing short odds at Tipperary on his next start, and the fourth-placed Oor Jock, who has since scored in good style at Naas. However, it's 11 years since the trainer won the Chesham with Bach and he's had some good horse beaten in the race, so I'm inclined to give Jackaroo a miss at shortish odds (11/4 best with Totesport).
There are plenty of good alternatives, including King Torus from the all-conquering Richard Hannon stable, and Zaidan, who won very easily on his debut at Doncaster (5f) and is very highly regarded by his trainer Clive Brittain. I think one of them will win and slight preference is for ZAIDAN at 6/1 (Ladbrokes).
3:05 Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) 1m4f
HARBINGER, representing Sir Michael Stoute, who has won the Hardwicke five times, ought to be up to winning this after two convincing Group 3 wins in the John Porter and Ormonde. At Newbury, he beat subsequent Group 2 winner Manifest by three lengths, and improved again when giving 3lb and a length-and-a-half beating to Gold Cup second Age Of Aquarius at Chester last time out. With no penalty to carry here, he will be incredibly tough to beat and, dare I say it, he has the look of a banker bet at evens with bet365, who are Best Odds Guaranteed.
Alainmaar (5/1 William Hill) has looked highly progressive in winning four of his last five races and, if the favourite doesn't produce the goods, is the one most likely to take advantage. If you are thinking of lumping on the favourite, he's worth a small saver.
3:50 Golden Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) 6f
Finding the winner of this race has been tricky in recent years, with three of the past four winners starting at 20/1 or more, and no favourite has obliged since Royal Applause in 1997. Picking who will go off as market leader is difficult enough with Showcasing, Fleeting Spirit, Starspangledbanner and Happy Zero all vying for that honour. They are all in with chances but, in a open race, I'm going to risk a few quid each-way on SAYIF, who can be backed at a massive 40/1 with Stan James. The four-year-old endured a mixed campaign in 2009 but signed off in good style when winning over course and distance last September, and is expected to relish the fast ground. Drawn in stall six, he has plenty of pace around him (Showcasing and Starspangledbanner are in seven and four respectively) and in these sort of races than can make a big difference.
4:25 Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap) 6f
The two market leaders look vulnerable. Laddies Poker Two (9/1 Ladbrokes) looks well treated on her course and distance win but that was back in September 2008 and she has been off the track since later that year, while I'm convinced Genki (9/1 William Hill) is better with some cut in the ground. They are not badly drawn in two and 22 respectively as I think you need to be drawn near either rail, in which case RILEYSKEEPINGFAITH could have a dream draw in stall 31 and he does bring course-winning form to the table. That was over 7f but he's just as effective over 6f as he showed when winning at Newbury two outings ago. He nearly followed up at Goodwood (6f) a week later so is bang in form and has won off this sort of mark in the past. Take the 28/1 on offer at Totesport as I can see him going off around 20/1.
However, this race is far too hot to be relying on just one bet and HITCHENS, drawn on the other side of the track in stall four, makes plenty of appeal at 20/1 (Boylesports) as conditions ( 6f and fast ground) are ideal for him. A 239-day absence will put some punters off, but he did win first time out last season and I suspect his trainer David Barron has had this race in mind for a while.
5:00 Duke of Edinburgh Handicap 1m4f
A fiendishly difficult handicap, but one in which Sir Michael Stoute excels, with four wins in the past 12 years. Imposing, his sole representative this time, is therefore given maximum respect and, considering his long absence, he did well to win at York on his reappearance. A 9lb rise will make life tougher from now on, though, and he's no value around the 3/1 mark.
Several of these take the eye but SIBERIAN TIGER could be the one to be on at 25/1 (Skybet). No disrespect to Emily Jones, who rode him to finish fourth at York last weekend, his first run since April, but he is the type to benefit from stronger handling and Seb Sanders is the most positive of bookings. If he puts his best foot forward, he is certainly well-treated off a mark of 93 and he must have place claims at least.
5:35 Queen Alexandra Stakes 2m5f159y
Again, this is not an easy race to assess and plenty have to prove their stamina for this marathon trip. Unsurprisingly, hurdlers have a decent record so SENTRY DUTY (11/2 Coral) a very smart hurdler on his day, is fancied to take this for Nicky Henderson, who sent out last year's winner Caracciola.
Selections:-
2.30 Zaidan
3.05 Harbinger
3.50 Sayif (each-way)
4.25 Rileyskeepingfaith / Hitchens
5.00 Siberian Tiger (each-way)
5.35 Sentry Duty