Royal Ascot Day Two ITV Racing Tips & Betting Preview

FINAL SONG (best price 5-1) looks well suited to these conditions after a winning on debut at the track, with plenty of cut in the ground. She beat Mrs Flanders by five lengths that time out, and that form has already worked out well. With plenty in the race unproven on softer ground, 5/1 looks a pretty good price.

LIBERTY BEACH (best price 33-1) looks massive at this price, and regular readers will remember her winning us a decent pay-out only a couple of weeks ago. On that occasion she came late to beat Rose Of Kildare. The way she wins off the pace could fit this race perfectly. Deserves to be better than a 33/1 shot. Ickworth is also worth keeping an eye on.

The majority of people will be looking at Aidan O’Brien to land another win in the second race on Day Two. If I had to pick one of his runners, I’d be taking Norway, but I’m struggling to following the Derby run. Instead, I’m going with JALMOUD (best price 7-1), who looks to be progressing well. He got up late to win last time out in France, and a further step up will only be a benefit. He will need to improve further to land three on the bounce.

Magical is obviously a cracking horse, but keeps beating the same old competition. I’m opting to go with CRYSTAL OCEAN (best price 4-1) who was pipped by quality horses the majority of last season. Sir Michael Stoute’s horse is in cracking form this season, winning with ease on two starts. The five-year-old has won on soft before so that shouldn’t be a worry. Sea of Class hasn’t won outside of France which is a concern, and will struggle if there’s too much rain.

Sir Michael Stoute believes RAWDAA (best price 11-2) is his best hope of the festival and only found Lah Ti Dar better than her last time out. The time before she finished third behind Agrotera at Kempton, but I don’t think that run was just to ease her back into the season. As with a few in this race, the ground is a concern. If the weather is really bad in the morning, Pretty Baby could have a solid chance.

I’ve picked out a couple of decent price runners in the penultimate race, mainly as I’m far from enthused by the favourites. The first is RED STARLIGHT (best price 66-1), not an obvious pick but has ran pretty consistently this season. The four-year-old finished second to Sharja Bridge at Doncaster when reappearing in March. Hannon’s horse won’t be troubled too much by the rain, and looks a huge price.

KYNREN (best price 14-1) has been pretty unlucky not to win this season, finishing a close second to Cape Byron last time out. The five-year-old beat the much fancied Raising Sand on that occasion. The time before Kynren was behind Auxerre, the form of a few who finished behind has improved that run.

Sky Bet and Paddy Power are paying 7 places on this race.

TEMPLE OF HEAVEN (best price 6-1) beat Fort Myers on last outing, Fort Myers finished a not too distant fourth to Arizona on the opening day. This horse has plenty of promise and showed his toughness at Newbury, and with that form is worth backing at the price.