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2:30 Royal Ascot
The opener is the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes for the speedy 2 year-old’s over 5f.
I like the French raider in this AFJAN (8/1). He looked a proper speedy 2-year-old when winning on debut at Chantilly over their 5f track last month. The visual impression was also backed up by the clock too. He comes from a speedy pedigree, and I think this is his trip whilst some of his key market rivals might be seen to better effect over further. The French raiders always have to be respected when they come over and I don’t think Afjan is any different.
3:05 Royal Ascot
Next up is the competitive King George V Stakes. A race for the 3-year-olds over 1m4f.
I really like MERCHANT (10/3) in this for the Haggas yard. He returned to action at Newmarket, finishing third before stepping forward significantly when bolting up at York last time out. I was really taken by that performance and I do not think an 8lb rise will be enough to stop him. He holds Group 1 entries further down the line, so connections obviously think a lot of him, too. It’s easy to see why. Stall 20 isn’t ideal, but I’m sure he’ll sit handy enough and coming into the straight slightly wide will mean know hard luck stories.
3:40 Royal Ascot
The 3:40 is the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes. Known as the Royal Ascot Oaks, the fillies strut their stuff over the 1m4f trip.
It is GARDEN OF EDEN (11/2) for me in here. She relished stepping up to 1m2f for the first time when winning a listed contest at Naas last time out, where she made all and found plenty for pressure. The further 2f here looks sure to bring out further improvement, and the duo of Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien landed this contest in both 2023 and 2024, so hopefully they can complete the hat-trick.
4:20 Royal Ascot
The feature is, of course, the Group 1 Gold Cup over the marathon 2m4f distance.
It is CANDELARI (10/3) I like in the feature. The 4-year-old could well be the new kid on the block, and he’s on a serious upward curve, improving for every run. I think this trip will suit too as he has been doing his best work late on in races over 1m7f. He was an impressive winner at Group 1 level last time out at Longchamp, powering clear and winning it a shade cosily. Trainer Francis Graffard is in rude form and he can land another big victory for the yard.
Best Bookies For Royal Ascot Lucky 15 Bets
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