SHAMROCK AT ROYAL ASCOT: Will Irish eyes be smiling in Berkshire this week? SHAMROCK looks at the Irish chances at Royal Ascot on the opening day this afternoon.
2:30 Queen Anne Stakes (British Champions Series) (Group 1) (Str) (4yo+, Class 1, 1m, 10 runners)
Former American trained Verrazano can get the meeting off to a flyer for Aidan O’Brien. Whilst the Hannon camp are bullish about the chances of their red hot favourite Toronado, the lack of a recent run for him – if not a concern, certainly has to be a question mark. How many question marks do you want at a BETDAQ price of 1.86? Verrazano made a perfectly credible debut this side of the Pond when third to Olympic Glory in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury and should have come on a ton for that effort. O’Brien was delighted with that run and remember he trained Declaration Of War to win this last year after hot favourite Animal Kingdom flopped.
3:05 Coventry Stakes (Group 2) (2yo, Class 1, 6f, 16 runners)
O’Brien’s success with 20/1 shot War Command was one of the highlights of the entire meeting. Despite being the outsider of the stables three runners and being slowly away at the start – he still romped to a six length success. He was a winner for me too so many happy memories !! He went to prove that was no fluke with a win in the Dewhust and runs later today himself in the St James’s Palace Stakes. This year, O’Brien relies on just one runner, War Envoy who has had two starts at Naas. Winning his maiden first time up and then being a little disappointing when only third at odds-on in a Listed race. The winner at Naas was Kool Kompany and it’s no certainty that the form will be reversed. It’s a sit and watch race for me this year as War Envoy looks too short.
3:45 King’s Stand Stakes (British Champions Series & Global Sprint Challenge) (Group 1) (3yo+, Class 1, 5f, 16 runners)
The last four from last year all renew rivalry and I think there is every chance that the winner, Sole Power, trained by Eddie Lynam can repeat his success. He comes here again on the back of a win in the Group 3 Palace Stakes at Newmarket – a race he won prior to Royal Ascot last year. He gave the Temple Stakes a miss this year and the globetrotting sprinter should go close again. Aidan O’Brien’s Guerre takes a big hike in class having won a Listed race at Naas but he is certainly going the right way and might be of interest in the BETDAQ place market as a cover bet.
4:25 St James’s Palace Stakes (British Champions Series) (Group 1) (Rnd) (3yo, Class 1, 1m, 7 runners)
It’s billed as a match between Kingman and Night Of Thunder as the Newmarket 2,000 Guineas 2nd and 1st do battle for the third time and on the evidence of the Newmarket form it should turn out that way. You can argue that War Command is overpriced on the basis he was in need of the run in the Guineas and him performing so well on this day last year but the problem is I would need to look at him in the place market and with just the two places up for grabs I am reluctant to get involved.
5:00 Ascot Stakes (Handicap) (4yo+, Class 2, 2m 4f, 19 runners)
This is the unofficial race for the jumps trainers. The last four winners have hailed from the Jonjo O’Neill, Willie Mullins, Nicky Henderson and David Pipe yards !! No Mullins runner this year but well known jumps trainer (!!) Aidan O’Brien certainly has live place chances with Plinth who warmed up with a win last time out over hurdles at Ballinrobe.
5:35 Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed) (2yo, Class 1, 5f, 24 runners)
Irish representative Bwana looks to have a very tough task on his hands here.
SHAMROCK’S BETS:
NAP: Verrazano (2.30 Royal Ascot)
NEXT BEST: Sole Power (3.45 Royal Ascot)
PLACE: Guerre (3.45 Royal Ascot)
PLACE: Plinth (5.00 Royal Ascot)
NEW !!!
You can now follow BETDAQ updates on Google+
For further details – CLICK HERE
£25 NO LOSE FREE BET
Did you know that as well as checking the realtime prices on BETDAQ below – you can also log into your account and place your bets directly into BETDAQ from BETDAQ TIPS.
