Royal Ascot 2014 - Day Two

Not a bad start to the week yesterday with each-way money at 12/1 and 22/1 from our four selections.

Day two is traditionally my quietest day betting wise, but we have interests in four contests.

2:30 Jersey Stakes (Group 3) Cl1 7f

Selection: Big Time 1pt each-way AND 2pts win @ 16/1 (Generally guaranteed - Bet 365 pay 4 places)

Last ran in the Irish Guineas where soft to heavy ground was completely against him. His two year old form with Sudirman looks strong, and although that rival doesn't seemed to have maintained his progression, he looked more of a two year old where Big Time is a big horse who may have needed more time to fill his frame. The Guineas run was decent in the context of this Group 3, and faster ground should see an improved performance.

3:05 Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies) Cl1 5f

Non Account Bet: Anthem Alexander to win @ 11/4 (Generally guaranteed) - WON

Not a betting race but Anthem Alexander seems to have the best form in the book. I'll take her against the American filly, who is difficult to weigh up.

3:45 Prince of Wales´s Stakes (British Champions Series) (Group 1) Cl1 1m2f

Selection: Dank 2pts each-way AND 1pt win @ 14/1 (Generally guaranteed - get 1/4 odds 3 places paid)

A cracking renewal. Treve wins this based on her Arc run, and perhaps even on her reappearance behind Cirrus Des Aigles. However, she had a tough race and I'll always recall her carrying her head at a funny angle after the Arc, looking like a bit of a madam / a bit temperamental, and I wondered if she would train on. I'll oppose her each-way given the eight runners and 1/4 odds generally available.

Mukhadram represents a stable who aren't quite firing and I wouldn't describe him as a potential improver. Last year's races may have taken a lot out of him and although he should run his race, he represents no value to me. Magician has drifted in the market, and although he is a tempter he would have gotten got nowhere near Noble Mission last time out had that rival not eased down. The first time tongue tie is not a positive for me and I'll take him on too. The Fugue is also taken on: I think she is an autumn mare and little below this class.

This should be run at a strong pace and I have to ask, what will be suited by a strong pace over ten furlongs on fast ground? Dank was the answer for me. I always take note when Sir Michael Stoute enters one in a Group 1 race like this, and I don't buy that it's a ground based alternative to the Pretty Polly. Dank was beginning to pick up Group 1 races last year and she might improve again aged five. Ryan Moore is in the plate, and will be keen to try and make up for her last run in Dubai where she didn't get a clear run but finished well. 14/1 looks far too big in my view.

4:25 Duke of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies & Mares) (Straight course) Cl1 1m

Non Account Bet: Esoterique each-way @ 11/2 / 5/1 (Generally guaranteed)

No account bet here, but Esoterique looks a decent each-way bet to nothing in my view and might be a half point overpriced.

5:00 Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Straight course) Cl2 1m

Selections:

Chill The Kite 1pt each-way @ 16/1 (Generally guaranteed, get 5 places paid) - E/W 2nd

Belgian Bill 1pt each-way @ 20/1 (Generally guaranteed, get 5 places paid)

Red Avenger 1pt each-way @ 25/1 (Generally guaranteed, get 5 places paid)

Ingleby Angel 1pt each-way @ 40/1 (Generally guaranteed - get 5 places paid)

Some will scoff at having four selections in one race, but the each-way terms are so generous that it makes a lot of sense - just one place will get most of our outlay back and who knows after that. Chill The Kite won impressively last time out and is tailor made for this race. He is a Group class horse in a handicap in my view, and although he might be anchored by 9-9 he has a very good jockey in the plate and not much dead weight in the saddle. Belgian Bill won this race last year, almost always gives his running here, and needs little explaining. Red Avenger is closely matched with Abseil based on Epsom form. He will love this ground being by War Front, and looks well handicapped. He may actually come on for his last run and 25/1 is too big. Ingleby Angel represents David O'Meara, who has been targetting this race with his handicappers. He has been in decent form, and has very few questions to answer as regards conditions, and he also looks well handicapped. 40/1 is too big.

5:35 Sandringham Handicap (Listed Race) (Fillies) (Straight course) Cl1 1m

Selection: Odisseia 1pt each-way AND 2pts win @ 12/1 (Generally guaranteed)

Odisseia has been sent over by Eddie Lynam and I thought she won with plenty in hand last time out over ten furlongs. She travels well and appears to be the type who will improve for a strongly run straight mile with a stiff finish. 12/1 looks very fair with 4 places paid each-way.

Profit & loss: day: -16.00 / month: -39.90 / year: +284.00