Welcome to our horse racing preview and betting tips for racing at Royal Ascot on Wednesday, June 17th.
We've teamed up with gun UK tipster @tips4punters to bring you full previews and betting tips for every day of the Royal Ascot carnival - the grand stage of UK racing!
Day 2 features the Group 1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes, featuring 2020 Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Addeybb and top-class three-year-old Japan.
Find the race-by-race preview and betting tips for Day 2 of Royal Ascot from @tips4punters below!
Royal Ascot Racing Tips: Day 2, 2020
Best Bet: Race 4 - (5) Japan
Next Best: Race 6 - (20) Sunshine City
Race 1 - Silver Royal Hunt Cup Handicap (Market)
Kicking off with the first of the Royal Hunt Cups, this one being the consolation race. For me this race is all about Ouzo and Maydanny. The Mark Johnston-trained (17) Maydanny was a winner at Yarmouth recently in a 1m (1600m) handicap by 3 ¾ lengths and although he has a 10lb rise he should go well. (15) OUZO is my pick for this race though, the Richard Hannon trained 4yo who started the season with a 2nd at Newmarket, beaten by a neck. He was a good horse at 3 and looks to continue that a year older. Ryan Moore is in the saddle. For each way backers I like the look of (16) Almufti. Doing well on the all-weather and back on grass could outrun his odds at $34.
Race 2 - Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3) (Market)
A runner for Her Majesty The Queen in the Group 3 Hampton Court, (3) First Receiver trained by Sir Michael Stoute who won this race last year with Sangarius ridden by Frankie Dettori, who also rides this one. He was a winner at Kempton (AW) recently by 7L. My pick for the race is the Aidan O'Brien-trained (8) RUSSIAN EMPEROR who was recently a runner-up in a Group 3 race over at Leopardstown (AOB with a 1-2-3 in that race). Prior to that he won at Naas in a 1m (1600m, soft to heavy) maiden. Ryan Moore rides him for the first time. At a huge price (5) King Carney could be worth an each way punt. With the rain that Ascot has had could run well with soft conditions a plus.
(8) Russian Emperor
$4.00
Race 3 - King George V Stakes (Handicap) (Market)
The Charlie Appleby-trained (3) BRIGHT MELODY was a good third in a recent Kempton (AW) Group 3 race over 1m 2f (2000m). Should run well over this trip (1m 4f) and wears cheekpieces and is the pick. Others to mention are (4) Convict, a good winner of a nursery, and the Mark Johnston-trained (12) Trumpet Man. It's never wise to underestimate Mark Johnston runners and the trainer has a great record in this race so could go well at $26.
Race 4 - Prince Of Wales's Stakes (Group 1) (Market)
The big race of the day, the G1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes. I can’t see past (5) JAPAN in this one. He has a top CV as a 3yo. He was last seen running 4th in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Should be ready to roll and the one to beat. He is my best bet of the night. The danger could be (1) Addeybb who has been winning at the highest level over in Australia earlier this year (winner of the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick). If the rain comes and stays it would benefit this one.
Race 5 - Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Market)
(1) ALRAJAA runs for John Gosden who is in fine form right now. Last 3 wins came on the all weather at 1m (1600m). He has to deal with a rise in weight but he is a winning contender for sure. Another to mention is (11) Afaak with talented jockey Cieren Fallon onboard. He was runner up in this race in 2018, won it last year and he might take it again this year.
Race 6 - Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed) (Market)
US trainer Wesley Ward rocks up in this race with two genuine contenders. (11) Sheriff Bianco was 2nd last month at Churchill Downs over 4 ½ f (900m) but the Ward runner I want to concentrate on is (20) SUNSHINE CITY, who won a maiden claimer in April at Gulfstream Park. She looks the winner to me and is my next best bet of the day. Others worthy of a mention are (2) Chief Little Hawk for a trainer (Aidan O'Brien) who has a good record in this race. (8) Mighty Ghurkha for Archie Watson could go close, last seen scoring over 6f (1200m) at Lingfield (AW) earlier this month, winning by 7 ½ lengths with the super talented Hollie Doyle riding. She is back onboard for this race. For each way backers (13) Steadman is worth a look at 20/1.
Race 7 - Copper Horse Handicap (Market)
I am concentrating on the market leaders Ranch Hand and Fujaira Prince in the last race of the day on Day 2. (11) RANCH HAND is a winner on soft for trainer Andrew Balding. A disappointing fav in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket (finished 15th) but back down in trip (won well at 1m 6f at Haydock Park) makes him a winning contender for a yard doing well. (10) Fujaira Prince is the danger, trained by Roger Varian. Off the track for a while but should be ready to roll and could run a big race with Andrea Atzeni in the saddle.
