Musings From My Grade 1 Couch: Royal Ascot Analysis for June 17th, 2020

Race 1) The Silver Royal Hunt cup – 1 Mile on the straightaway

#14 Salayal 12-1 — relatively unexposed, open to improvement, off a good weight, and trainer in good form. Add to that Nazeef won the Duke of Cambridge yesterday!!! Bit of a crap-shoot this race (divided Hunt Cup), though.

#17 Maydanny 10-1 Crowley in the Shadwell colors had a brilliant day yesterday and this son of Dubawi should not be ignored especially off a 99 mark in his 2020 debut.

Race 2) The G3 Hampton Court – 1 1/4 mile round the bend

#4 Juan Elcano 2-1 should win it on 2000 Guineas form alone (5th). If the race comes a little too soon, however, it’ll probably go to #8 Russian Emperor 4-1 . But, I have a sneaky feeling that #5 King Carney 20-1 might just spring a big price EW surprise. Ground way too quick last time at a baked-dry Lingfield. Steps back in trip here on a sounder surface, and looked progressive last year. Still, major shock if Juan Elcano doesn’t gallop.

Race 3) The King George V Stakes – 1 1/2 Miles

#13 Kipps 7-1 is the sort the trainer does really well with – a young, lightly-raced progressive horse that’ll probably make a stakes performer in time. Ran a cracker first time up this season, and sure to improve again from that. Gets in with 8 stone 4, a massive weight break here.

#17 Win o’Clock 7-1 Another progressive sort will love a bit of cut in the ground. Gets in very light at 8 stone (112)

Race 4) The G1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes – 1 1/4 Miles

#5 Japan 4/5 No need to explain why.

#4 Headman 5-1 I love Headman and I reckon he’s got a G1 in him, but he’ll probably need this race, probably wants a tad softer ground, and I’m still haunted by his disappointing run in the Irish Champion last year. First major, major test for #6 Lord North 12-1 – looked like he’s improved again when winning the Brigadier Gerard, but have a feeling he’s a G2 performer at best.

Race 5  Royal Hunt Cup handicap – 1 mile on the straightaway

#1 Alrajaa 7-1 Yes, he’s running off top-weight, but he won all his races last year with something to spare, meaning he might still be ahead of the handicapper. And Gosden’s in rare form at the moments as is Crowley and the Shadwell colors – that doesn’t hurt.

Race 6) The Winsor Castle – 5 furlongs

#5 Get It 10-1 I like the look of Get It.  Ran a cracking race when just beaten by a machine of Mark Johnston’s first time up, and Clive Cox (one of the most underrated trainers anywhere) has his 2-year-olds in nice form. Telling that he comes here with Get It when he could easily have gone the maiden route (or routed another of his 2-year-olds here instead).

#2 Chief Little Hawk 6-1 Son of Freshman Sire Air Force Blue commands attention after an eye-catching debut at Navan.

Race 7 ) The Copper Horse Handicap – 1 3/4 on the Round Course.

#3 Alright Sunshine 8-1 Connections thought enough him to run him in a G3 against Ascot Gold Cup sorts last time, and he ran well enough in 5th to suggest he’s probably got some black type in him one day. Still progressing (started out in bumpers), and so, probably still slightly ahead of the handicapper. Gonna be a nice EW price.

#15 Almania’s 15-1 interesting, too, on first run for Simcock – just the type he works magic with .Freshly gelded to boot !

Musings From My Grade 1 Couch: Royal Ascot Analysis for June 17th, 2020

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