18/6/2020 Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets – Royal Ascot, Ascot Gold Cup day

The Royal Ascot Carnival continues on Thursday night, highlighted of course by Stradivarius looking to make it three straight wins in the Gold Cup (4000m).

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The one that looks silly odds is 10 Cepheus (Bet Now: $19.00). Brian Heehan trains this three year old, who resumed in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and was outclassed behind Kameko, but readi8ng the website of the trainer, he did state that would be a prep run with a lower race in mind aka this, and gets man of the moment Jim Crowley. He appears really good value.

Giving respect 4 Hypothetical (Bet Now: $6.00) for the John Gosden team. Resumed in a Classic Trial at Kempton where the pace was very moderate and that sort of race shape didn’t suit him, especially when held up at a vital stage. Think Frankie will ride a much more positive race this time around and is one of the hardest to beat.

8 Global Storm (Bet Now: $5.50) is a Night Of Thunder gelding for Charlie Appleby that is a key chance here. Resumed over 2000m at Newmarket and was very impressive in the way he finished his race off under William Buick, finishing best to score in a strong return. He’s got more to come and is one of the leading contenders.

Bit surprised 12 Regal Reality (Bet Now: $9.50) is the price he is. He’s a Group lll winner that resumes for Sir Michael Stoute and does bring with him some A1 form. Third to Enable in the Eclipse and just forget his last run behind Magical. They rode him too warm and was never a factor. Has the class edge and $7+ seems more than acceptable.

13 Sir Dragonet (Bet Now: $3.25) is an Aidan O’Brien trained galloper that resumes, having not raced since March 23 at Naas when a beaten odds on pop when second to Numerian, but that was on really testing ground. Close up fifth in the Derby last year, so we know he has the class. If the rain comes, could he perhaps be a risk?

Can 1 Dubai Warrior (Bet Now: $13.00) translate his fabulous All Weather record to the turf? John Gosden trains this galloper, who has the picket fence next to his name, but they have come on the Synthetic, so now he has to bring it to the turf on a big day, but he’s in the right stable, he’s a winner, draws soft and is certainly in the mix.

Roger Varian is batting around just under 20% since racing started again in the UK with his horses forward in condition, so with that in mind, on top here is 8 Molatham (Bet Now: $6.00), who looked a progressive juvenile when last in work last year but was always looking like a horse who would get better at three. Crowley is the form rider this Carnival and suspect this guy will be ready to go.

4 King Leonidas (Bet Now: $3.25) looks the key threat. John Gosden trains with Frankie to steer. Resumed over the mile at Newmarket when carrying 61kg but he showed some class when putting them away to win impressively. Those in the know in the UK think he could well be a Group l horse of the future. Back to 1400m a query, but he looks a good one.

Back to 1400m I do like for 15 Final Song (Bet Now: $9.00). Resumed in the 1000 Guineas and I think 1600m at this level just found her out, but she was far from disgraced in defeat behind Love despite starting $101. 1400m looks her trip and has performed well on soft ground so if the rain comes, think she comes into play as a serious winning chance.

Keen here on 7 Modern News (Bet Now: $4.20) for Charlie Appleby and William Buick. This Shamardal colt debuted over 1200m at Newmarket where he looked very raw and new to the caper but loved the way he picked up when asked and despite the margin being narrow, he was impressive and looks one of some promise. Eats up 1400m and IMO is clearly the one to beat.

2 Bright Devil (Bet Now: $7.00) is the interesting one. Started long odds when debuting at Newmarket and admittedly, I think he was helped by the bias, but he still had to take advantage of it and he was impressive in leading throughout at a good tempo. SP Profile fans will hate him because he was $26+ on debut and here, he’s around $6-$7.

4 First Prophet (Bet Now: $7.50) is the knockout chance here. Charlie Fellowes trains this youngster, who debuted last week at Newbury over 1400m and really liked the way he quickened up off the speed to win quite well. Interesting he backs up straight away but he ran good time and perhaps being trained by Charlie and not a Gosden/Appleby etc, you’re getting near double figures instead of around $4.50-$5.

If the track was firm, 4 Stradivarius (Bet Now: $1.61) would be $1.10. But with rain potentially on the cards, he’s on top, clearly, but in terms of a bet, I’m letting him go through to the keeper. Coronation Cup was pretty much a barrier trial for him to get ready for this, looking to win it for the third straight year, and all things being equal, he should.

If the rain comes, 8 Technician (Bet Now: $4.50) should be much shorter than what he is now. Classy animal that won a couple of features in France towards the end of last year, notably the Group l Prix Royal Oak. He is a horse who thrives when racing on wet ground. Capable on a dry deck, but is a better horse with rain about, so if it hits, he’s a threat.

1 Cross Counter (Bet Now: $12.00) is the 2018 Melbourne Cup winner and to be honest, he hasn’t lived up to the promise following that big win. He had battles with Stradivarius last year and the champ had his measure quite comfortably. Hasn’t raced since Feb 29 when a solid fifth in a rich 3200m race at Saudi Arabia. He’ll run well, but doubt he wins.

22 Finest Sound (Bet Now: $3.75) looks the pony to bet on. Had a Wind Op and was Gelded prior to the resumption at Haydock where he didn’t beat a great deal but gee he put them away to win like a good horse, winning by over five lengths in an outstanding return. Draws the right part of the track, has upside and change up speed.

19 Enemy (Bet Now: $7.00) is a John Gosden trained galloper that won well on debut over 1400m here back in September. Spelled and resumed on June 3 at Yarmouth when a very short priced favourite and seemed to have his chance. Couldn’t quite get there when second to Mister Snowdown. Another that draws the right part of the track and 1600m looks ideal.

21 Great Ambassador (Bet Now: $13.00) resumes for the very much in form Beckett stable with Harry Bentley to steer. Ended last year on a high with a dominant win on the All Weather at Chelmsford. Stable has had a decent week so far at Royal Ascot and is another that draws the stand side, which has clearly been the A1 ground.

17 African Dream (Bet Now: $2.80) for me in the get out. John Gosden trains this filly, who resumed over 1400m at Newbury and she was very good in defeat, closing off with purpose to run a narrow second to Stylistique, but they were lengths clear of the rest, so think that form reads well and up to the mile should be ideal.

1 Dubai Love (Bet Now: $7.50) is a key threat. Frankie rides this girl and not African Dream due to the weight, but still, Dubai Love is a handy enough filly. Had a really good prep in Dubai, highlighted by an impressive winner over the mile on Soft ground in the 1000 Guineas. Gives weight to her rivals, but looks to have a bit of quality.

13 Declared Interest (Bet Now: $9.50) is a Team Beckett trained filly that comes here off the back of a brilliant first up win, which came over the mile on the All Weather at Chelmsford when showing good change up speed to get the job done. Has showed a bit of promise in all three career outings and stable is in good form.

BEST BET: Race Two Number 12 Regal Reality

NEXT BEST: Race Four Number 7 Modern News

LONG SHOT: Race One Number 10 Cepheus

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