The pick of the prices on Day 1 at Royal Ascot....

Monday, 17th June 2024

The pick of the prices on Day 1 at Royal Ascot….

Whoop whoop!

Tomorrow is Day 1 at Royal Ascot….

…. and we’ve got an entire week of top-drawer racing action to look forward to….

…. and it doesn’t get much better than that….

Regular readers will know that I go out with my picks 24-hours ahead of the action….

…. in an effort to bag the best of the prices in the big handicaps that this column habitually targets….

Tomorrow afternoon is all about the staying handicappers….

We’ve got the Ascot Stakes (5.05) over the 2m4f trip….

…. and the Copper Horse (6.15) over the 1m6f trip….

Let’s crack on….

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In the Ascot Stakes – 5.05….

NUSRET is the pick of the prices for me at the general 16s….

…. on the basis that some quicker ground….

…. a strong gallop….

… and the step up to the 2m4f trip….

…. looks like a combination of variables sure to deliver improvement….

He warmed up for this over hurdles in a big-field handicap – and let’s not discount the fact that this is a race with a long rollcall of winners from jumps yards….

…. and he was doing all his best work late on in that 2m event – despite the ground being on the softer side at Punchestown that day….

He was considered an Ebor candidate by his trainer this time last year – after winning a qualifying handicap at the Curragh….

That never happened – but it does suggest that his trainer was wildly out with his assessment of the horse….

…. or that this 5yo is still very nicely handicapped on a mark of just 91 going into tomorrow’s race….

Anybody can be wrong – and trainers frequently are – but even if Joseph O’Brien isn’t 100% accurate in his beliefs….

…. I still think he’s got a horse handicapped to win a big one on his hands….

Handicaps don’t come much bigger than the Royal versions….

…. and I reckon the young target trainer will have Nusret spot-on for this assignment – and I’m hopeful of a big run….

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In the Copper Horse – 6.15….

I’m sticking with the Irish and backing Gordon Elliot’s PARTY CENTRAL at the general 16s & 14s….

She’s an 8yo now and I reckon her advancing years (for a horse on the level) will put some punters off – but I’m not concerned about it….

In the winter game 8yo horses are in their prime and she’s got plenty going for her….

She’s not been over-raced over the timber….

…. she’s two from three on the flat – with the obvious potential for more to come….

….and she’s snuck in toward the bottom of the card with a fair weight off a mark of 93….

She ran in that same hurdle race at Punchestown that Nusret competed in….

…. not finding enough late on over the 2m trip….

And it was the same story next time on the level at Down Royal….

…. where she could offer no extra in the closing stages….

On the flat she’s won over 10f and 12f – so she’s should have the tactical speed required for tomorrow’s assignment….

…. but the 1m6f won’t require the same stamina expected over 2m – and could well prove the ideal trip….

Jamie Spencer was down to ride Tyson Fury for Denis Hogan when the final declarations were released….

…. but he’s switched to the Elliott horse late on – and I take that as a very positive omen about a horse likely to be delivered late….

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• Finally….

That’s all for today….

P.S. One more thing – the football is bubbling-up nicely. Join our Euro 2024 service right now – and selections for today’s three games (and the rest of the tournament) will be sent direct to your email box. Move fast….

I’ll be back tomorrow with my picks for Day 2 at Royal Ascot….

Win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd