Neil Morrice brings us his best bets and tips for Day 4 of the Royal Ascot festival.
Race 1 ALBANY STAKES (Group 3)
No9 HELLO YOU
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: James Doyle
The best of eight unbeaten-in-one fillies going into this contest might be HELLO YOU, who could hardly have been more impressive on debut at Wolverhampton, streaking home by six and a half lengths from White Jasmine. The daughter of Invincible Spirit started 5-1 which suggests her triumph may not have been expected, but it augers well for a big run on this step up in class and move onto turf. Aidan O’Brien’s PRETTIEST got the job done in professional manner when introduced at Navan and bids to improve on what has been a disappointing week so far for the Coolmore juveniles. The daughter of Dubawi is open to abundant improvement as that organisation’s only runner. FLOTUS has dominated the ante post market on the back of an eye taking first appearance at Goodwood where she came home unchallenged to land some good bets. On that evidence she needs including in all combinations.
Prediction: 1st HELLO YOU, 2nd Prettiest, 3rd Flotus
Race 2 KING EDWARD VII STAKES (Group 2)
No7 TITLE (Nap)
Trainer: Roger Varian – Jockey: David Egan
If the heavy rain that’s forecast materialises it will greatly benefit TITLE, who skipped Epsom to challenge for this race, known colloquially as the Ascot Derby. The son of Camelot was denied in a head bob on reappearance at Newbury, but put the record straight when outpointing the well-regarded Sea Karats at Yarmouth. Title has been working the house down in preparation for this and has to be given the greatest respect. Sandown Classic Trial winner ALENQUER saw that performance boosted when his closest victim Adayar landed the Cazoo Derby. However, there have been others who competed at Sandown that have let the form down, leaving a puzzle around the William Haggas-trained colt. THE MEDITERRANEAN was placed in a Listed at Leopardstown on only a third outing for Aidan O’Brien, and will enter calculations if stepping up on that.
Prediction: 1st TITLE, 2nd Alenquer, 3rd The Mediterranean
Race 3 COMMONWEALTH CUP (Group 1)
No21 SUESA
Trainer: Francois Rohaut – Jockey: William Buick
Rain is normally good news for French horses at this meeting and that adage can apply to SUESA, who carries the ‘Moonlight Cloud’ colours of American George Strawbridge. There’s something very appealing about the daughter of Night Of Thunder as she defends a four-race unbeaten record. Her first two successes came on heavy ground, and after switching to Rohaut at the start of the year she landed back-to-back Group 3s on good to soft. Wesley Ward’s CAMPANELLE landed the 2020 Queen Mary when proving too strong for Sacred. She then took out the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville before fading into fourth in the Juvenile Fillies’ Turf at Keeneland in the fall. At the respective prices, SACRED could be a surprise packet, as her run behind Mother Earth in the 1,000 Guineas is better than it looks.
Prediction: 1st SUESA, 2nd Campanelle, 3rd Sacred
Race 4 CORONATION STAKES (Group 1)
No10 PRETTY GORGEOUS
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien – Jockey: Frankie Dettori
In a cracking renewal of the Coronation Stakes, PRETTY GORGEOUS can reveal her true colours and post a famous victory. In an interrupted Classic preparation she had to miss the 1,000 Guineas and seemed to blow up after looming as a threat in the Irish version at the Curragh. Given the likelihood of pronounced improvement, she can turn the tables on winner EMPRESS JOSEPHINE and could have more to fear from MOTHER EARTH and ALCOHOL FREE. The former wasn’t able to build on her Newmarket triumph when second in a Group 1 at Longchamp, but if the ground eases she needs respecting. Alcohol Free has a couple of lengths to find with Mother Earth from the Guineas but could make it more interesting on this track.
Prediction: 1st PRETTY GORGEOUS, 2nd Mother Earth, 3rd Alcohol Free
Race 5 SANDRNGHAM FILLIES’ HANDICAP
No21 URBAN VIOLET (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
URBAN VIOLET is a speculative choice in a minefield of a race, and presents a conundrum after a recent flop at Sandown. That came shortly after she’d scored by eight and a half lengths at the same course when bottomless conditions proved a huge assist. Running quickly under a penalty before she was reassessed is never easy, and that last dot is probably best forgotten. A market check is advised with William Haggas’s contender BELIEF, carrying silks already in the winner’s circle this week. The daughter of Le Havre broke her duck in a humble maiden at Wolverhampton but remains open to abundant progression. Urban Violet’s stablemate ILLYKATO does not want the rain. Should the inclement forecast prove incorrect she comes right into the reckoning. There’s nothing of her, but she’s been going as well as any of the fillies at West Ilsley. Another to include in all exotics is BEHELD, who though proving expensive to follow is not lacking in talent, and could rise to the occasion.
Prediction: 1st URBAN VIOLET, 2nd Belief, 3rd Illykato, 4th Beheld
Race 6 DUKE OF EDINBURGH HANDICAP
No19 SAM COOKE (Each Way)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Hector Crouch
Having missed the cut in a race on Tuesday, SAM COOKE has crept into this right at the base of the weights, giving him a most alluring look. It can’t be soft enough for Ralph Beckett’s charge, who will be sharper for a solid enough comeback run when things didn’t go his way. He faces strong competition from QUICKTHORN whose racecourse visits have been few and far between. The latter came home in glorious isolation on comeback at Haydock, and if Hughie Morrison has him in one piece he’s a threat to everything. Ante-post favourite AADDEEY showed that a mile and a half is his bag with an impressive success at Newmarket on only a fifth career start. If there’s a Group horse masquerading as a handicapper, he could be the one.
Prediction: 1st SAM COOKE, 2nd Quickthorn, 3rd Aaddeey
Race 7 PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE HANDICAP
No8 SIGNIFICANTLY
Trainer: Karl Burke – Jockey: Clifford Lee
A wholesale gamble on Burke’s unraced colt Kaboo went west in the Windsor Castle Stakes, but the trainer has chances of success with an entirely different horse in the form of SIGNIFICANTLY in this 25-runner nightcap. The Garswood colt is knocking on the door and might be suited to the hustle and bustle of the contest, being the type that can look after himself. BOOMSHALAA has looked like a horse that wants to go further in his wins at Kempton and Windsor and is a worthy favourite alongside EQUALITY who is the joker in the pack on handicap debut. Those seeking value may consider putting POPMASTER into all exotics.
Prediction: 1st SIGNIFICANTLY, 2nd Boomshalaa, 3rd Popmaster, 4th Equality
