The pick of the prices on Day 4 at Royal Ascot....

Thursday, 22nd June 2023

The pick of the prices on Day 4 at Royal Ascot….

Today is Day 3 of Royal Ascot….

…. which for handicap punters like us means three handicaps….

…. the Britannia – a big mile handicap for the 3yos….

…. the Buckingham Palace Handicap – a big handicap up the straight 7f strip….

…. and the King George V Stakes – another 3yo handicap but this time over 12f….

I sent out my betting advice for this afternoon’s races yesterday. If you missed it, you’ll find it here….

I go out early doors with my advice in the hope of bagging the best of the prices about my race selections….

Sometimes it comes off. Other times it doesn’t….

… but because I go out early with my selections, we’re always a little ahead of the game here at ATC….

The flag hasn’t been raised on Day 3 – and I’m already thinking about Day 4….

…. which means the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes – a 12f handicap for the 3yo+ horses….

…. the Sandringham Stakes – a straight mile handicap for the 3yo fillies….

…. and the Palace of Holy Rood House Stakes – another 3yo handicap but this time over 5f….

Things have firmed up a little after Tuesday’s racing. The round course is good (good to firm in places) and the straight course is good to firm….

Let’s get down to business….

• In the Duke of Edinburgh (3.40)….

I’m backing AIMERIC at 12s & 11s in the Duke of Edinburgh at 3.40….

He started over 12f last year – earning himself a handicap mark of 92 before being campaigned over further….

On his last run of the season at York – he got smashed with a performance too poor to rely on….

There was clearly a problem. During the close-season he was gelded and given a wind-op….

…. and first time out this term at Doncaster – back down to 12f – the 4yo posted a career-best in victory….

He’s up 4lbs to 96 and there is more to come. The 3rd and 4th in that Doncaster race have both posted improved efforts since….

…. and Roger Varian’s horse should strip fitter for his first run since the autumn….

If he finds a few pounds under James Doyle, he’ll be on the premises. I think he will – there’s still juice in his mark….

Trap 1 is a negative for a horse who likes coming off the pace. But I imagine Doyle will delay Aimeric’s exit and take a more backward position on the rail….

Horse and rider will need to be brave, hope the gaps appear and not hesitate to capitalise when they do – perhaps a better scenario than being drawn out in the car park….

• In the Sandringham (5.00)….

I’m backing Richard Hannon’s MAGICAL SUNSET at 25s for the Sandringham, at 5.00….

They’ve been up and down with her between 6f and 7f – like they couldn’t make up their mind which trip suited best…..

I think she decided for them last time out at Epsom where her fast-finishing 4th in a Listed race over 7f has convinced connections that she’s going to relish this step up to the mile tomorrow….

On the downside she was put up 4lbs to 102 for that Epsom run – which looks harsh on the face of it….

But the 6th horse home that day – Archie Watson’s He’s A Monster – has been out and franked the form with a win at Sandown that produced a personal best on the RPR scale….

You could say 102 is a little high in a race of this nature. And you might be right….

But I’m mindful that the official handicapper does a pretty good job of getting them in the right kind of order in this race….

The last 41 horses to go to post in this with an official rating of 102 or bigger produced 5 winners and 11 placed horses – with a few of those at nice prices….

In my book the Hannon filly is worth a swing of the bat at a nice each-way price….

• In the Palace of Holy Rood House (6.10)….

I’m backing TAWALLA at the 14s for the Palace Of Holy Rood House Stakes at 6.10….

Unexposed horses towards the bottom of the wights have done quite well in the short history of this race….

…. and this colt has been progressing of late – winning his last two and arriving under a penalty….

The last win was produced under Jamie Spencer – who partners again tomorrow….

In a couple of big races up the straight this week, Spencer has advertised the fact that he can still get the best possible placing for his horse with his patience and the timing of his finishing effort….

In combination Fellowes and Spencer have gone close a few times in big races at Ascot….

…. and I expect another bold show from the pair with this horse tomorrow….

• The last word….

That’s all for today….

I’ll be back tomorrow with my selections for Day 5 of the Royal Ascot meeting….

Look out for me in your email box….

Meantime – contact me direct at nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk

And remember – win, lose, or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned.

Against the Crowd