Dark horses on Day 2 at Royal Ascot....

Tuesday, 14th June 2022

Dark horses on Day 2 at Royal Ascot….

Today is Day 1 at Royal Ascot – but we’re already ahead of the game here on ATC….

I always go out with my picks 24-hours ahead of time – in an effort to beat the market to the punch and to try and bag the best of the prices about my selections….

I sent out my advice for Day 1 of the meeting yesterday. If you missed it, you’ll find it here….

Today the focus is on tomorrow’s Day 2 card….

• In the Royal Hunt Cup – 5.00....

The Royal Hunt Cup at 5.00 on Day 2 at Royal Ascot is like two big-field handicaps rolled into one – with 30 runners heading to post….

An acquaintance of mine insists that the punters who bet in the race must be certified madmen….

Perhaps he has a point. But it won’t stop me wading in and backing REBEL TERRITORY at this morning’s general 20s – I thought he’d be quite a bit shorter….

He impressed me no end with his winning performance at Sandown at the end of last month – where he beat a well-handicapped Ouzo a neck off a mark of 93 and with the rest of the field 5+ lengths in arrears….

That was his first go this term – and you’d expect him to strip fitter for it. Under a 5lb penalty I think he’s very fairly treated and a big player tomorrow from stall 19 – smack bang in a cluster of stalls that have done very well in the race across the last decade or so….

He’ll need things to fall right – a bit of luck in running and a clear passage. They all will. But this is a progressive horse and if he gets the breaks he can go deep. And I really do like the price….

In a 30-runner affair, I want to be two-against-the-field – rather than betting a single selection each-way. How you play is your business. Rebel Territory is my primary pick and if you wanted to just back him each-way I wouldn’t be the one to put you off….

My second selection is Roger Varian’s FANTASTIC FOX at 28s….

This one is another to run out of the cluster of high-numbered stalls that’s performed well over the last decade – and he’s another horse that produced a nice performance last time out….

His was produced at Epsom – where he was 3rd behind Totally Charming (reopposing tomorrow on worse terms and more than half the price) and beaten 2.5 lengths….

It was a career-best – and came on his second outing since being gelded. There is more to come. He didn’t get a clear run when it mattered – and that checked his momentum….

He looks like the yard’s second string – with Andrea Atzeni up on Legend of Dubai. But I never worry about that. One man can’t ride them all and Fantastic Fox is more than worthy of his place in the line-up….

Each-way backers take note: Sky Bet are 1/5 the first 8. bet365 & Paddy Power are 1/5 the first 7. You can get 1/5 the first 6 generally….

• In the Kensington Palace – 6.10....

There’s been some money overnight for David O’Meara’s IMPROVISED – and I understand why….

She ran a good race in a Listed contest last time at Musselburgh on very disadvantageous terms against the winner….

But she really took to the right-handed track that day – producing a career-best performance. And tomorrow’s step up to the full mile can see her to better effect again….

Off a mark of just 84 – she gets into the race at the very bottom of the weights – she’s nicely handicapped….

She was 10s yesterday evening. That’s all gone now. But there is still some 9s about and plenty of 8s….

I could dismiss her and reach for something at a bigger price but it’s not like she’s the race favourite and I’m going to stick to my original plan – I really like her mark of 84 – and put her up as the pick….

Each-way backers take note: bet365 are 1/5 the first 6. It’s 1/5 the first 5 generally….

• The final word….

That’s all for today. I’ll be back tomorrow with my take on the Day 3 handicaps….
 
Until then. Stay tuned – and enjoy the racing….

Against the Crowd