Royal Ascot Bets 2024

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This is nothing like Cheltenham, but I have had a few small bets (some free one’s), if nothing else to make sure I have done a bit of advance planning. No fancy prices, and hopefully most will turn up. Will the ground dry up as most expect?

All each-way except for Inisherin and Mountain Breeze.

COVENTRY – Andesite 14/1

Looked straightforward at York, and although he only just got home, he was well on top at the line, suggesting a stiffer track should help his cause. Has been relatively weak in the market, particularly as this looks the obvious option.

GOLD CUP – Caius Chorister 22/1

This was mainly about opposing Kyprios. He isn’t the horse he was, but he might not need to be. Caius Chorister needs to find something for the extra half mile which isn’t a given. Presumably, she will be reunited with Spencer, but won’t want to give the favourite 10-15 lengths start.

CORONATION – Rouhiya 14/1

Hard to oppose something that has given you a near 45/1 winner. Fingers crossed that the ground is dry enough for her to come here. Don’t think she is anywhere near as far behind the English and Irish Guineas winners as the market suggests. I think you can easily elevate her win a few lengths based on the petrol used from the wide draw, and becoming unbalanced as the Godolphin runner crossed over.

ALBANY – Mountain Breeze 13/5 & Heavens Gate 8/1

Bet placed on Mountain Breeze before Fairy Godmother emerged, but I still think she remains the one to beat. Heavens Gate looked as if she had stepped up when breaking her maiden, but it remains to be seen how many Coolmore will run.

NORFOLK – Aesterius 12/1

Probably the first Wathnan 2yo to excite, but he has drifted as others have emerged. Very strong at the finish, despite having to contend with some pace pressure. The odd decent one has won at Bath. I like him more than the likes of Shareholder who looks to have a considerable physical advantage, but still only scrapped home at Beverley despite receiving 7lbs.

JUBILEE – Mitbaahy 12/1

Another good winner for me last time, and if he can repeat that trick, he must have a decent chance. Not sure the sprinting division is that good.

PRINCE OF WALES – Auguste Rodin 7/1

This price was much too big when Passenger was in. An ordinary Group 3 winner against a 5 time Group 1 winner, it didn’t make any sense. Concern whether he now needs 1m4f, so hopefully the ground dries out to inconvenience White Birch’s finishing kick.

COMMONWEALTH CUP – Inisherin 5/1

Expected to be supplemented. Prominent racer, who travels well, and should be suited by the stiffer track. Hopefully, he will confirm Haydock form.

DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE – Breege 17.52/1

Quite keen of her, at least from an each-way angle. She was a fortunate winner last time, but this isn’t a strong race, and she has pretty good Ascot form.

QUEEN MARY – Ultima Grace 13/1

Ward hasn’t done as well in recent years, but that seems to be reflected in the market. This has been his key race, and I think a few that currently head her in the market might not show so would expect a single figure price. She looks to have a nice bit of scope.

Puzzled over the Queen Anne which looks shockingly weak, but nothing around the 16/1-25/1 mark appealed. Also filed the St James Palace and King Charles III in the no value bucket. Nothing jumped out in the Wokingham and Hunt Cup.

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Heavens Gate going Queen Mary. Reading O’Brien’s comments on ATR it looks as if I have been a little unlucky as he is talking about running her over 7 furlongs. Sounds as if the Albany would have been a better fit, but they didn’t want to run against the favourite. Fortunately, it was one of my free bets along with Auguste Rodin and Mitbaahy. Had thought they were each-way, but they were actually win bets.

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WOKINGHAM – Dark Trooper 14/1 each-way

Taken quite a rise in the handicap, but could still be improving, and has the course form. Not sure there are that many lurkers. As ever will need some luck, but that’s the same every year. Hopefully, Doyle won’t ride. I still haven’t recovered from when he should have won on Summerghand. Not been the luckiest race for me as Juan Les Pins didn’t get the run of the race last year.

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WOLFERTON – Botanical 9/2 Win

Looked a potential Group horse at York and ground shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Up 20lbs since beaten over course and distance last year. Will likely need some luck in running, and Buick not the best gap finder in the weighing room.

HARDWICKE – Desert Hero 14/1 each-way

Another not so good renewal. Did me a favour when winning over course and distance last year. Need to forgive one bad run, but that’s factored into the price.

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Still difficult to predict the ground which was given as good (good to firm in places). Plenty of showers forecast, but if they get strong sun as well it wouldn’t take much to dry back again. A puzzle.

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ROYAL HUNT CUP – Sonny Liston 13.08/1 each-way

Plenty of weight, but plenty of course, and he looks the right favourite.

Looks like good news on the Rouhiya front as she hasn’t been declared for the Prix De Diane. Now she needs the ground to dry up.

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BUCKINGHAM PALACE – English Oak 7/1 each-way

Unfortunately, I think the bookmakers have got this right with the two obvious one’s topping the market. Sided with the slightly longer one on the basis of that course form.

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Talking about watering so those who have been talking about soft ground might need to think again.

Heavens Gate left in the Albany probably because of the worry about quick ground and the minimum trip.

Drying ground would be very good news for Rouhiya. Just a question of whether she’s good enough. Quicker ground also a plus for Auguste Rodin in terms of diminishing the threat of White Birch.

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PALACE OF HOLYROOD HOUSE – Jubilee Walk 17/2 each-way

Unfortunately, I think the bookmakers have again got the right one’s at the top of the market.

KENSINGTON PALACE – Roarin’ Success 18/1 each-way

I know I have questioned the jockey booking, but didn’t want to be kicking myself. Course form, and boosted by Two Tempting going in again.

WINDSOR CASTLE – Loom 12/1 each-way

Scopey sort who won nicely on debut, and looks to be heading here in preference to the Norfolk. I liked Celtic Chieftain as well, but that one is half the price.

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ASCOT STAKES – Tritonic 20/1 each-way

He is probably an unlikely winner, but in race where there are quite a few stamina question marks, there must be a fair chance of him hitting the places again. Plenty of course form, and drying ground should suit.

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ALBANY – Heavens Gate 13/1 each-way

Was available at 14/1 with Unibet, but they have suspended. I have taken O’Brien at his word on Racing TV this morning when he only mentioned the Queen Mary for Truly Enchanting. As Heavens Gate was nearly favourite surely she is going to go off single figures for this race.

If Heavens Gate does turn up it’s going too well with everything looking likely to show. Now for the harder part of getting a couple over the line.

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COPPER HORSE – My Mate Mozzie 10/1 each-way

Last one to get in. Strong traveller, who should get a pace to run at, and has ground to suit.

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QUEEN ANNE – Royal Scotsman 22/1 each-way 4 places

Very much worth the roll of the dice. The horse might be better over an easier mile, but he did finish third in a Guineas. He has the ground suit, and I would sooner be with Spencer on a 22/1 shot than a 2/1 shot. Hopefully, he doesn’t change the tactics that worked so well last time. In a relatively weak race it’s a pretty easy argument to suggest he is over priced.

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KING CHARLES III – Rogue Lightning 13/1 each-way

Not sure what to make of Big Evs. Not enticing enough at 4/1. You could argue he ran 7lbs below on his reappearnce against inferior opposition. Rogue Lightning has a bit of course form, and should be suited by a strong pace over a stiff 5f on quick ground. I would have much preferred Spencer to Doyle on a hold-up ride, but every dog has it’s day.

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ST JAMES’S PALACE – Almaqam 10/1 each-way w/o Notable Speech and Rosallion

The front two look hard to beat, but I didn’t want to side with either at the prices. Almaqam seems to have plenty to find, but probably less than Notable Speech did going into the Guineas. Ed Walker seems to have several promising 3yo’s this year. Drawn wide, I assume Marquand will ride him to pick up the pieces. You wouldn’t have thought it will be a dawdle, but drawn low there’s always a chance of being trapped on the inside.

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Heavens Gate not in the Queen Mary. Bookmakers now waking up. Can only assume they don’t watch Luck On Sunday.

Breege lumbered with a wide draw in 14 runner Duke Of Cambridge. Bet connections are well chuffed. Every chance of winning on the straight course to very little chance.

Loom the first non-runner blow in the Windsor Castle. Inevitable one would come. This was doubly irritating as the horse was jocked up for this race, but not the Norfolk. Honest Mr Fahey.

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QUEENS VASE – Highbury 4/1 each-way

Don’t like the idea of going each-way on a 4/1 shot, but I think this is one of the trickiest races of the week. Highbury should handle the ground, and I’m just hoping he is a bit better than this level. He was the initial favourite, and has drifted.

WINDSOR CASTLE – Hawaiian 20/1 each-way

To replace Loom, who I would have much preferred. This horse has gone to post with a bit of a reputation, and hopefully, on much quicker ground, he can start to justify it. It’s the old forgive one bad run idea.

That’s a full book for the first two days with just the one setback. Fingers crossed I don’t have to revisit.

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