Royal Ascot is now in full swing and we were fortunate to witness a dazzling display from Ombudsman in Wednesday’s Prince of Wales’s Stakes. There is still plenty more to look forward to over the remainder of the meeting. This looks a very difficult day’s punting, however, and there is only one race that really interests me from a betting perspective.
17:35 – Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3)
The solid option looks to be ENDORSEMENT, who represents the powerful O’Brien and Moore combination that landed this race 12 months ago. Ballydoyle have won three of the last eight runnings and look to hold strong claims again with this son of Wootton Bassett, who brings the standout form in the field.
He was beaten just half a length by Derby winning stablemate Christmas Day on his return in a Leopardstown Group 3 before another strong effort at the same venue, going down by only a neck to James J Braddock, who subsequently finished third in the Derby. He then dropped into Listed company over a mile and a half and made no mistake, dominating throughout to score by seven lengths earlier this month.
Endorsement was a good second in the Group 3 Zetland Stakes at Newmarket as a juvenile on good to firm ground, so conditions should hold no fears. His strong finishing efforts, impressive closing sectionals over 1m2f, and the fact he stays further all suggest this test should suit him well. He enjoys racing prominently and, if breaking well from stall seven, Ryan Moore can make full use of his stamina and control the race. That is not essential, however, as he has also run well when coming from further back, as he did over 1m1f at Tipperary last year, staying on strongly to come from behind and beat yesterday’s Group 2 winner Limestone. I will be disappointed if he doesn’t go close here.
I am also interested in MY LOVE IS KING (12/1). He should appreciate the ground and was only narrowly denied by Maltese Cross in what is proving to be a strong Newbury novice over 1m2f in April. That rival subsequently landed the Lingfield Derby Trial before finishing second in the Derby at Epsom. The John and Thady Gosden-trained son of Kingman looks to have plenty more to come and is equipped with first time cheekpieces. He looks worthy of each way support.
THURSDAY SELECTIONS
17:35 ENDORSEMENT (9/4 Generally)
17:35 MY LOVE IS KING (12/1 Generally Each Way)
*Odds correct at time of posting – 9:30pm Wednesday 17th June
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Please note that although Matt has uploaded the tips, he is not our Racing Club Insider – the insider will remain anonymous!
