Steve Ryder lines up three free betting selection on Wednesday at Royal Ascot.
3:05 Ascot
Limestone (1pt)
Best price 10/3.
Experience is often a huge benefit in the Queen’s Vase which leans me in the favour of LIMESTONE (best priced at 7/2) over the twice raced trio Galiyan, Point Of Law and Ravenspire. Joseph O’Brien had a 1-2 and two fourth placed finishes yesterday and this three-year-old looks to have strong claims. The son of New Bay had placed form behind Benvenuto Cellini and Endorsement in maiden company on his first two starts last season before getting off the mark over a mile at Listowel.
Limestone is 2/2 this season including when victorious in the listed Yeats Stakes last time at Navan over 1m5f beating the reopposing Asakir by 1 ¼ lengths. That was the race that Carmers won prior to glory in this last season and hopefully that race can provide the winner again this year.
Hot Streak
4:20 Ascot
Ombudsman (1pt)
Best price 7/5.
This looks a fascinating renewal of the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes but preference goes to OMBUDSMAN (best priced at 11/8) who can hopefully retain his crown. The John & Thady Gosden trained five-year-old was an impressive two length winner of this race last season and has since won a further two Group 1s and finished 2nd behind Calandagan over this course and distance in the Champion Stakes.
Ombudsman did what he couldn’t last season by winning the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown on his reappearance under a penalty and connections should be able to ensure this is run at a strong pace with Devil’s Advocate in the field as a pacemaker. Daryz has been impressive on his two starts this season but given track form and a superior turn of foot, I feel Ombudsman should have his measure.
5:00 Ascot
Scoville (1pt)
Best price 12/1.
The most fascinating Royal Hunt Cup runner is the handicap debutant SCOVILLE (best priced at 12/1) who looks well handicapped off a mark of 98 if he can bounce back to the form of his two runs in novice company. His performance when a 14-length winner at Newmarket in July was extraordinary and although he was beaten at Group 3 and Group 2 level afterwards, he did run with credit.
Scoville returned having been gelded prior to his reappearance when sent off a well backed 2/1 shot at Thirsk in a conditions race but he weakened quickly to finish last of 8. He has been given a wind operation since that run which gives an obvious excuse and he could prove well ahead of his mark.
