ITV Racing Tips: Saturday Each-Way Double for Royal Ascot

The Group 3 Jersey Stakes has an open feel about it and while The Antarctic came under close consideration stepping up to seven furlongs, I just cannot resist the temptation of backing the Roger Varian-trained ENFJAAR (best price 15/2), who could be the real-deal for connections that have already tasted success at the Royal meeting this week. 

This is a big step up in grade on just his third career start but he brings untapped potential into the race and is undefeated after two starts. He returned a good winner on his debut at Newmarket, which was his sole start as a two-year-old, and he showed plenty of gears and professionalism when he turned on the turbo to win going away from the field. 

His performance can be elevated to a higher degree, as he was caught on the flank of the field and had to make his challenge on the unfavourable part of the course, yet still got the job done. That form has been positively advertised since, as the fourth Military Order and fifth Laafi, went and finished first and fourth in the Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes. 

In addition, that form has a nice look to it, as the second Waiprio won the Hampton very impressively here yesterday and the third Circle Of Fire finished a respectable fourth in the Queen’s Vase earlier in the week as well. This three-year-old then defied a penalty very comfortably at Chelmsford when stepped up to a mile, again, looking a horse with plenty of class with improvement to come. 

He is light on experience compared to the majority of these and it’s over twelve years since a horse with less than three runs won this contest but he has given every indication he might just be above-average and the fact that connections are happy to throw him into the furnace so soon in his career makes me think he can adapt to the rise in grade, even with others achieving more to date. 

Based on his two wins, he looks a pattern-class performer in the making and while he is behind a few of these on ratings, his RPR’s puts him nearly alongside the two ahead of him in the market who have had far more racing. I can’t see the drop in trip being a problem, as he has plenty of pace and should get the ideal set-up. He is worth the roll of the dice with four places widely available. 

The Dermot Weld-trained FALCON EIGHT (best price 13/2) has had two previous cracks at this race and not succeeded in each but maybe this year is the time he can finally deliver the knockout blow in the finale of this year’s Royal Ascot meeting. 

He turned in a lacklustre performance in the Chester Cup on his return, a race he won two years ago, but no doubt he has been aimed at this race all season. Stratum won the race for the second consecutive year twelve months ago when this eight-year-old was fourth but he was only beaten a couple of lengths and the pace of the race suited the winner more. 

A sluggish start didn’t help either but even when he came under pressure, he stuck to the task very well and the winner just found a bit more tactical speed when the pace collapsed. What does favour Dermot Weld’s charge this time is a lighter preparation and Tom Marquand who rode him last year, has been booked to ride again which is interesting. 

This classy stayer is only rated two pounds lower than Stratum and was actually sent off favourite to win this two years ago when a never-nearer ninth. I think a more positive ride will see him in a better light and the first-time cheekpieces will be enlisted, which could help him concentrate a touch more through his race. He has a great each-way chance.