Ascot Tips: Thursday Best Bets from Architect

Whistlejacket, 2pts WIN, 5/4

WHISTLEJACKET (best price 5/4) couldn’t go with Cowardofthecounty on his debut, having travelled the best of the two, but made no mistake next time out, and he’s strongly fancied to take the step up in class in his stride. 

Aidan O’Brien’s charge is a full brother to Royal Ascot winner Little Big Bear, and his handler was surprised he got beat on his debut. Even so, he comfortably landed the odds in a Listed race last time out, and with more to come, he is going to take plenty of beating in the opener. 

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Aesterius, 0.5 pts E/W, 11/1, 4 places 

Archie Watson is a trainer that is always worth a second look at this meeting, particularly with his two-year-old runners, and his sole representative, AESTERIUS (best price 11/1), could give the favourite plenty to think about having impressed on his debut at Bath. 

That is only ordinary form, but the way he was able to maintain his prominent pitch in a strongly-run contest was eye-catching. He was then able to quicken away from his rivals to score by nearly three lengths without being asked for maximum effort, which does provide an indication that he could be very smart. 

This is a big step up in grade, but this expensive breeze-up will be partnered by William Buick, and he’s feasibly well drawn in stall 13. His handler has already knocked on the door this week, and this son of Mehmas is well worth a play at the odds with extra places available.

Poniros, 0.5 pts E/W, 7/1, 5 places 

As is often the case, the London Gold Cup is often a good guide for future form lines, and the runner-up from this year’s renewal, PONIROS (best price 7/1) must have leading claims in today’s King George V Stakes.

The way he travelled into the last time out on handicap debut was visually impressive before finding an extremely well-handicapped horse too strong in the closing stages. His mark has only been raised 4Ib, and he’s open to further improvement. 

He’s a son of Golden Horn, so this extra furlong is likely to see him in a better light based on breeding, and his profile fits the mould as a potential winner of this contest. With five places available, he is a solid each-way choice. 

Diamond Rain, 1.5pts WIN, 13/8

The Charlie Appleby-trained DIAMOND RAIN (best price 13/8) overcame a poor position to make a winning debut at this course prior to bolting up in a Listed event at Newbury last time out, and, with more to come, she can extend her unbeaten record. 

Given that her dam is Oaks winner Dancing Rain, she could improve for the extra furlong, and she’s the only course winner in the field. That will count for plenty now that she is stepping up in grade, and she will be tough to beat. Her main danger is Andrew Balding’s Kalpana.

King’s Gamble, 0.5 pts E/W, 25/1, 4 places 

The Britannia Stakes is a race that Ralph Beckett likes to target, and his record in the race is pretty remarkable, winning it once as well as placing in it four times, and I’m sweet on his top-weight KING’S GAMBLE (best price 25/1).

This Kingman Colt made an impressive debut at Newmarket before finishing a solid third in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York, beaten just two lengths, his only other start last year. He was turned over at Doncaster on his return, but he will be a lot fitter this time around. 

He has been given a lofty mark of 102 ahead of his handicap debut, but everything suggests he is better than this level, and with Danny Tudhope maintaining the partnership, I can see him running a huge race at double-figure odds. Four places are widely available. 

Starlore, 0.5 pts E/W, 14/1, 4 places 

Sir Michael Stoute’s STARLORE (best price 14/1) was highly tried after making a winning debut at Sandown last July, and despite failing to meet expectations, he was a huge eye-catcher when beaten just two lengths in a hot race at Goodwood last month. 

In spite of being slow into stride, he was the last horse off the bridle and was looking like he was going to absolutely bolt up until he was denied a clear passage several times. His rider was forced to sit and suffer for well over a furlong at a crucial stage of the contest. 

Once he found daylight, he picked up strongly to only be beaten a couple of lengths without being fully asked for his effort after the early carnage. This trip will suit him better, and his mark has been left unchanged, so if he gets the rub of the green this time, he could make amends. 

Four places are widely available.

Bracken’s Laugh, 0.5 pts E/W, 13/2, 4 places 

King’s Gambit did us a favour when winning at Newbury last month, but he might have to settle for minor honours behind BRACKEN’S LAUGH (best price 13/2) for a second time, who I think has a great chance of taking the Hampton Court Stakes. 

Richard Hughes’ imposing three-year-old has won two of his four starts and wasn’t disgraced when he finished fifth in the Group 1 French Derby on just his second career start. He then bolted up at Chelmsford before going close at Chester. I think he’s a serious player with four places available.

Sons And Lovers, 0.5 pts E/W, 20/1, 4 places 

The market appears to have strangely missed Jane Chapple-Hyam’s SONS AND LOVERS (best price 20/1), who has strong enough form in the book to make an impact in this grade, with plenty more to come. 

After scrambling home on his debut, he finished a fine third in the Group 3 Craven Stakes on his return and then filled the same spot in a listed race last time out on testing ground that was firmly against him. 

This has seemingly been the main plan, and the step-up in trip in a bigger field returned to better ground should be right up his street, plus Tom Marquand is booked to ride. He makes plenty of appeal, with four places generally available. 

Mostabshir, 0.5 pts E/W, 16/1, 6 places 

MOSTABSHIR (best price 16/1) was deemed good enough to contest the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes at this meeting last year when finishing a respectable sixth and returns to the Berkshire venue this year with his sights lowered. 

He shaped promisingly on his return at Kempton when third, and although he could finish no better than midfield in the Victoria Cup here last time out, that experience will have taught him a lot, and his mark has been dropped 1Ib. 

Jim Crowley will again take the ride, and I feel as though this race could be run to suit this strong-travelling and talented four-year-old. Most firms are paying up to six places, so with potential for better, he could be set to run a huge race. 

Bopedro, 0.5 pts E/W, 25/1, 6 places 

David O’Meara has multiple runners in the Buckingham Palace, and I am going to give one final chance to the frustrating but capable BOPEDRO (best price 25/1) who is handicapped to strike at any moment. 

This course brings the best out of this eight-year-old. He fared best of those held up when a strong finishing fourth in the Balmoral Handicap here in October, and that form has worked out well with the third Docklands finishing second in the Queen Anne Stakes earlier this week. 

His last two wins have been off higher marks, and he can find himself 5Ib lower than when he finished a close-up sixth in this race twelve months ago. There’s every chance he can improve on that this time, and with bookies paying up to six places, he is an appealing proposition.