Our resident tipster Ben Morgan gives his best bets for day five at Royal Ascot
2.30 – Godolphin 2-year-old open to mor improvement
The way this week has gone, TREANMOR will have his work cut out trying to deny Aidan O’Brien another victory in a two-year-old race.
Ballydoyle clearly, as you would expect, have a strong team of two-year-olds this season, but I’m hopeful that Charlie Appleby’s horse can buck the overwhelming trend for the week.
He was most impressive on debut at Newmarket, where his performance screamed, to me, Chesham Stakes so I’m glad he lines up here.
I think he might drift to clear second favourite but his ability to travel and quicken in such style should see him take this.
3.05 – Space Legend to take open Hardwicke
This is by no means a vintage renewal of the Hardwicke Stakes and I think as a result it is quite open.
I’m not convinced by Rebel Romance and his presence at the top of the market so I am keen to take something on at a price.
SPACE LEGEND fits that bill and I think he could improve no end from his seasonal reappearance at Chester.
He is probably better judged on last season’s form where he showed himself to be a progressive middle-distance horse.
His second to Calandagan here last year reads well and if able to build on that this year I think he could progress into a classy sort this year.
3.40 – Iberian to bounce back?
Similar to the Hardwicke, I don’t think what was the Diamond Jubilee is that deep a contest, and I’m disappointed that Kind Of Blue hasn’t made the lineup.
There is a strong international presence here and I couldn’t confess to being an expert on their form lines but I do like a British-trained runner here so I’m backing the home team.
One at a huge price is IBERIAN who, if forgiven for his blowout at Curragh last time out, is overpriced at 80/1.
Charlie Hills has a tremendous record with 6f sprinters and I find it interesting how he is remodelling this fellow into a sprinter.
It looked like a good move after he ran an encouraging race at Doncaster on his reappearance, where he was unlucky not to win.
That stiff 6f suited him well and I anticipate this stiffer test to be to his liking as well and in an open race I think he looks good value.
4.20 – Marvel could be the Man?
Another open race here which seems to be lacking a ‘star’ as such but who knows what could come out of this.
I’m quite keen on MARVEL MAN whose form with Cosmic Year has been boosted in no uncertain terms.
His earlier form is in and out but I’m happy to judge him on his most recent appearance and if you do that then 5/1 looks good value.
5.00 – Woodhay Wonder’s Wokingham?
I don’t hold any strong fancies here but I have got WOODHAY WONDER down for a big handicap this year and I can’t see why it won’t be the Wokingham.
A strong traveller who likes to get on with it and appreciates a stiff 6f judging by her runs at Newmarket should be suited by the test the Wokingham presents.
A high draw is a positive from what we have seen so far this week and I’m hopeful Sean Levey can save enough for the final half furlong as she will certainly need the line if she has made most.
5.35 – Boughey improver to excel in Golden Gates
I’m going to have two darts at the board here, and first up is EL BURHAN, who should improve for the step up in trip.
I was impressed with how he won at Chester last time out, as that wouldn’t have been his ‘gig’ really, and he will be seen to better effect at this track.
A progressive two-year-old seems to have continued that improvement over the Winter could take another step up the ladder as he encounters another couple of furlongs.
QUAI DE BETHUNE is my other hope after his promising run in the London Gold Cup, and if he backs that up, then he has to go close here.
The London Gold Cup always works out well, and it has started to do so again this year, which bodes well for my selection, who is overpriced at 12/1 currently.
6.10 – Solid Samui to strike second time out
SAMUI ran a fine race on Tuesday to finish third and was gaining at the line. The extra distance here will suit him well and looks the most solid alternative to Willie Mullins‘ hot favourite Sober.
Therefore, the 6/1 about him looks more than fair, and I would be fairly hopeful he can end our week in style.
READ MORE: Royal Ascot – Trawlerman comes of age with Gold Cup haul
