Royal Ascot Tips: Andy Holding's Saturday Racing Tips

Royal Ascot Racing Tips from Andy Holding

PEARLS AND RUBIES (best price 9/4) created a very favourable impression when successful on her racecourse bow at Navan recently and with the connections opting to swerve the Albany in favour of giving her an extra furlong to get organised, the decision to come here and face the boys is fancied to be well and truly vindicated.

A little uneasy in the market beforehand up against the experience of I Am Invictus, it looked as though lack of knowhow might count against her until meeting the rising ground, from which point she really turned on the charm.

Strong as she hit the line, the daughter of No Nay Never ended up winning going away and with the consensus that would be the last time she ever races over five furlongs, it comes as no surprise to see her being asked to stretch out over a stiff seven here today.

As we have seen so many times before, the ability to stay beyond six furlongs in these top sprint races over this track is never a bad thing and of those who fall into that category in this season’s renewal, ARTORIUS (best price 4/1) and SACRED (best price 8/1) make the most appeal.

The former was given a typically patient ride in this race last season and although the Aussie raider almost pulled off what seemed an impossible task at halfway, ultimately, he was just too far back. To add to his woes, he also did not receive the clearest of runs inside the final two furlongs, so to finish as close as he did at the finish has to go down as a fair effort in the circumstances.

Clearly primed to have another crack by connections who obviously see the prestige of winning this race far overriding any financial gains, their spirited approach can easily be rewarded if he gets the breaks at the right time on his return to the Berkshire venue.

The latter was also a hostage to fortune given how things panned out for her twelve months ago and it would come as no surprise to see her go well again. Arriving her following a smooth success over seven-furlongs at Newbury, there is little doubt that intermediate distance is her optimum trip, but as she is likely to be staying on stronger than most at the business end, it is not beyond the realms of possibility everything pans out just right for William Haggas’ mare on her repeat bid.

SINGLE (best price 7/1 three places) has excelled on her two starts over today’s C&D and following a more promising effort at Nottingham last time out, there is a decent chance Jack Channon’s filly can add her tally on her return to the Cambridgeshire track.

A creditable runner-up to the classy Eileendover on her first visit to HQ back in August 2021, the daughter of Nathaniel was sent off the outsider of a field of five in her bid to go one place better in

the same race a year ago and, having been held up out the back in the early stages, she came through strongly at the finish to defy odds of 14-1.

For a horse who stays beyond 1m6f well, clearly today’s stiff track suits and with conditions also in her favour, the flashy chestnut can take advantage of a significant drop in grade.

AZANO (best price 11/2) has proved several times in the past he can be dangerous when allowed to boss matters from the front and with some of his better performances coming over today’s C&D, to all adds up to have a pop at David O’Meara’s gelding at his current odds.

Good enough to land a listed contest at the Yorkshire venue back in the day, the seven-year-old repeated the dose when making all over a mile on his return visit a year later and although he hasn’t managed to add to his tally since, there have been signs of late of a revival.

Picked off late on in a list contest over a mile at York last time, he now reverts to handicap company off a workable mark and with the strong possibility of him bagging the favoured far side of the course in the early stages, it would not be the biggest shock in the world if he were to stay out in front.

Crucially, previous course form is an essential ingredient for this six-furlong cavalry charge and having run extremely well in the Buckingham Palace Handicap over seven furlongs just two days ago, SPANGLED MAC (best price 33/1) can use that all-important run to advantage on his return to the Berkshire venue.

Having his first outing for 118 days after finishing an eye-catching ninth in a competitive handicap at Meydan on his previous outing, George Boughey’s gelding was noted staying on extremely well from the back of the field to finish a never-nearer fourth and considering his passage in doing so was by no means a smooth one, his performance deserves extra merit.

Runner-up on his only other start over today’s C&D last year, that is now two solid runs the son of Starspangledbanner has under his belt over the galloping track and, out what looks a favourable draw right down the middle, his finishing kick can be seen to good effect in the latter stages.

Charles Byrnes is a wily old fox, and he looks to have got his preparations for RUN FOR OSCAR’s (NAP) (best price 10/3) tilt at this prize just about spot on.

Laid out for the Cesarewitch at Newmarket last season, the eight-year-old duly obliged - landing many good bets in the process - and given the way he has been campaigned in recent times, this contest looks to be a similar plan in the offing.

Freshened up after a spell over hurdles during the winter, the son of Oscar was brought back to the fray following a 73-day absence at The Curragh last month and, over a trip that would be way short of his best, he was noted doing some sterling late work to finish on the heels of several useful pattern race performers.

Likely to have benefitted greatly for that initial outing, he now tackles a trip more in keeping with his profile and with conditions ideal for him to perform to maximum capacity, a typically patient ride from the rear can see him swoop to conqueror in the straight.