The fifth and final day of Royal Ascot promises to be another fantastic day of racing, and I’ve got two strong fancies for the Saturday card. The first one is a confident pick in the sole Group 1 on the card, whilst my other fancy runs in the Jersey Stakes, where I’m backing one of the more experienced runners to come up trumps.
3:40 Royal Ascot – FLORA OF BERMUDA (12/1 generally)
Wathnan Racing have had a fantastic few days at Royal Ascot, and I’m hoping their good form continues with one of their recent buys – FLORA OF BERMUDA. Purchased for a seven-figure sum earlier this month, she looks a standout each-way bet in the sole Group 1 on Saturday’s card.
The four-year-old has course form, having finished an admirable sixth in the Queen Mary Stakes two years ago, and bettered that effort when finishing third in the Champion Sprint Stakes last season. Her sole run this season before being sold saw her finish a neck second to Inisherin, despite having a nightmare passage throughout the race. I fully expect her to reverse that form in here providing she gets a smoother journey in the race.
P J McDonald remains on board here, and his only other times on board were a win in the Group 3 Summer Stakes at York last season, plus that runner-up effort behind Inisherin last time out, so I’m more than happy that he keeps the ride. Fillies don’t have the greatest record in the race, but I’m confident Flora Of Bermuda will be bang there when it matters, and at the prices, she’s excellent each-way value.
4:20 Royal Ascot – COMANCHE BRAVE (5/1 generally)
I’m hoping experience comes to the fore here, with COMANCHE BRAVE my pick to win the Jersey Stakes. The Irish raider has some of the best form on offer here and is the top-rated horse in the race, so the fact we’re getting 5/1 (at the time of writing) seems far too big odds to me!
Her 2YO campaign was solid enough, winning once and finishing runner-up in Listed company, but this year she’s improved plenty. Her first run of the year saw her finish just half a length behind Henri Matisse, and that form has been franked by the winner landing a Group 1 next time out and finishing runner-up in the St James’s Palace Stakes earlier this week. She then stepped up to a mile trip on her next start, finishing an admirable fifth in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, where she just didn’t see out the extended trip.
This is a drop in class for her and I’m sure the return to seven furlongs will also see her to better effect. Although I do fancy her to win, at 5/1 I’m willing to play it safe and back her each-way, knowing I’ll get my money back if she does finish in the places.
SATURDAY SELECTIONS
3:40 Royal Ascot – FLORA OF BERMUDA (12/1 generally)
4:20 Royal Ascot – COMANCHE BRAVE (5/1 generally)
*Odds correct at time of posting – 3:50pm Thursday 19th June
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Please note that although Tom has uploaded the tips, he is not our Racing Club Insider – the insider will remain anonymous!
