Royal Ascot Day One & Two Big Race Previews

Royal Ascot begins this week and as ever you can expect to see top quality action spread across all five days of the meeting. With the biggest names from the UK & Ireland battling it out, joined by some very interesting foreign raiders, punters will have a lot of working out to do to combine the different form lines and make their selections. Here is a look at the big races on days one and two, the St James’s Palace Stakes and the Prince of Wales Stakes.

Royal Ascot St James’s Palace Stakes Preview

A race that many people will be focusing on the front two in the betting. Can Phoenix of Spain follow up his impressive Irish Guineas win, or with a little more time between races can last year’s champion two year old Too Darn Hot get closer to him? Those are the favourites, but value may be found a little further down the list in the shape of Skardu.

He ran with credit when finishing third in the English guineas, before just missing out on the same position and finishing fourth in the Irish version. Each time he has looked green and as though he would improve for further experience. I think we know how good the front two are, but this horse could still have more to give. He needs to take his step forward soon, but if he does then he should get closer to the front two in the betting and offers each way value at double figures. 

Royal Ascot Prince of Wales Stakes Preview 

A fascinating race, and had last year’s Derby winner Masar made it here, this could well have been the race of the week. Magical is the favourite representing Aidan O’Brien, and comes here after three wins from three starts this season, including a seven length romp in a Group One last time out.

Sea Of Class is having her first start of the season here but won the Irish Oaks last season and the last time we saw her she finished a neck behind superstar Enable in the Arc. Crystal Ocean is two from two this season as he has been bossing his rivals in a slightly lower grade and gets the step up he deserves. Rounding off the main challengers is Waldgeist, a French raider who comes in on the back of a Group One win at Longchamp.

This should be a pleasure to watch, but from a betting point of view it is Sea Of Class that takes the eye. Her form last year is amongst the best in the field, and there is a chance she could be even better this time around. She was a neck off Enable in the Arc, I’m not sure any of these could replicate that run, and that is why she is the pick here in what looks to be a brilliant race. 

Royal Ascot Betting Tips

• St James’s Palace – Skardu EW @ 10/1 (Mansionbet)
• Prince of Wales – Sea Of Class win @ 5/2 (888Sport)

Royal Ascot Betting Offer 

Mansionbet – Insurance When Beaten by a Head or Less Upto £25 Back

This offer from Mansionbet applies to every single race from Royal Ascot this week, so is a great one to take advantage of. If you are beaten by a head or less it can often be tough but this offer certainly softens the blow! They offer you money back as a free bet if you are beaten by a head or less in any Ascot race and this is to a maximum of £25. Although being beaten by a short margin is tough, with an offer like this on your side there is a silver lining.

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