William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews Day Four of Royal Ascot, giving his best bets for all seven of Friday’s races.
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Royal Ascot, Friday
GOLD DIGGER could be the answer to the Albany, the Day Four Royal Ascot opener (2.30). Richard Spencer has proved he can ready one for Ascot, and this filly had loads in hand when beating two of today’s legitimate rivals in a handy time at Yarmouth. Sire Blue Point has had a stellar week already – unsurprising, given his own predilection for fast ground and Ascot.
JONQUIL might be the play in a really spicy edition of the Commonwealth Cup (3.05), a race way more complex than the market suggests. His French Guineas run was hardly let down by Henri Matisse, and he has a nice blend of pace and staying-power for this stiff six furlongs. What is more, he’s drawn exactly where all the action should unfold.
MOUNT ATLAS makes a fair bit of appeal in the Duke of Edinburgh (3.40). He’s pressed on nicely in two runs this season since being gelded, and his pedigree suggests he won’t mind this ground at all. It was another excellent effort behind Illinois and co at Chester and, back in handicap company, a four pound rise might not be able to stop him.
FALAKEYAH could turn on the style in the Coronation Stakes (4.20). She made a huge impression winning the Pretty Polly, and although that form has not exactly worked out, the cut Nack to a mile could bring about yet more progress. She has such a powerful physique and huge stride that she is likely to seek to dominate, something that is entirely conceivable from an inside gate. Most of her illustrious family wanted fast ground – there’s no reason to think she’s the exception.
BETTY CLOVER could make Eve Johnson Houghton’s week even better (5.00). She’s never run in a handicap, but her mark makes her very competitive, while her narrow defeat to Crimson Advocate at Goodwood now looks positively golden form. Conditions suit, and she ran a screamer at this track last year when just touched off by Guineas third Simmering in the Princess Margaret.
ZAHRANN looks the one to be with in the Edward VII (5.35). He is making progress hand over fist, improved again for the step up to this trip at Leopardstown, and already has a form standard comparable to his market rivals, while being open to more.
REALIGN looks a very solid favourite in the Holyroodhouse (6.10). From his debut second to Shadow of Light, through his excellent run in the Convivial Maiden, to his easy comeback win, he has looked every inch a stakes performer, and would have been a viable runner in the Commonwealth Cup. He doesn’t lack the pace required for this, and a mark of 93 looks a bit of a gift.
