Steve Ryder has key betting trends and expert betting tips for the biggest races on Day 2 at Royal Ascot.
14:30 Wednesday
The second day of Royal Ascot only has one Group 1 but it also features some competitive handicaps, a pair of juvenile races and a pair of Group 2 contests.
The Duke Of Cambridge Stakes and Prince Of Wales’s Stakes have only attracted eight and nine runners respectively but the following three races have attracted full fields.
Royal Ascot Day 2 Tips
2:30 Cardiff By The Sea 18/1 (0.5pt ew) - Advised 17/06 @ 14:30.
The eye is drawn to impressive novice/maiden winners but I am willing to take a chance on CARDIFF BY THE SEA (best priced at 18/1) who finished 2nd behind the Norfolk Stakes favourite Charles Darwin on her debut. A 320,000gns breeze up purchase, she is a half-sister to the smart Al Qudra who was only beaten a length in the Coventry Stakes last year.
The Fozzy Stack trained filly gave backers of Charles Darwin, who was sent off 1/14, a fright at Naas with that rival having the benefit of two prior runs. Oisin Murphy has been booked for the ride which is a positive and from Stall 16 he should have options of where to race on the track after the first day.
17:00 Wednesday
5:00 My Cloud 9/2 (0.5pt ew) - Advised 17/06 @ 14:30.
The Roger Varian trained MY CLOUD (best priced at 9/2) has a progressive profile and hits three main trends (see below) for this race. He is carrying the correct weight, is a four-year-old and has previous course form. The Roger Varian trained colt is a half-brother to two-time Royal Ascot winner Palace Pier so he is bred to be better than this rating of 95 and he has won both of his starts so far this season.
My Cloud won by 3½ lengths on his reappearance over this course and distance before following up by a head at Newbury off a mark of 90. The runner-up that day Boyfriend won on his next start off a 3lb higher mark so My Cloud looks well treated off only 5lbs higher and he looks the most likely winner.
17:35 Wednesday
5:35 Snellen 16/1 (0.5pt ew) - Advised 17/06 @ 14:30.
Gavin Cromwell has a fantastic at Ascot in his career with two winners, one second and third from his four runners at the track. Kayhana is a shorter price in this race than SNELLEN (best priced at 16/1) but the latter has a much more interesting profile. The four-year-old won the Chesham Stakes in 2023 before winning twice last season.
Snellen has been campaigned in Bahrain so far this season including when only beaten 6 ½ lengths by the 112 rated Phantom Flight in a Grade 1. She now returns back to the UK rated 100 and she looks overpriced with regular rider Gary Carroll on board.
Key Royal Ascot Stats & Trends for Day 2
Queen Mary Stakes:
- 11 of the previous 12 winners had never run at Ascot before
- 10 of the previous 12 winners were drawn in Stall 12 or higher
- 10 of the previous 12 winners had won last time out
Prince Of Wales’s Stakes:
- All 12 of the previous 12 winners were aged four or five
- 11 of the previous 12 winners had at least 1 win over 10 furlongs or longer
- 10 of the previous 12 winners had a rating of 119 or higher
- Eight of the previous 12 winners had run at Ascot previously
- Both Los Angeles and See The Fire hit all four trends
Royal Hunt Cup:
- Nine of the previous 12 winners carried between 8st 11lbs and 9st 3lbs
- Eight of the previous 12 winners were aged four
- Eight of the previous 12 winners had run at Ascot previously
Key Races & Horses to Watch on Day 2 at Royal Ascot
Karl Burke won this race in 2022 with Dramatised and last year with Leovanni so it is easy to see why the market is dominated by impressive Nottingham winner Zelaina.
American raiders won this in 2009, 2015 and 2016 so it will be interesting to see how Lennilu runs for Patrick Biancone with his first UK runner.
There are plenty of debut winners coming here having only had one start including Society Kiss, Spicy Marg, Staya and Revival Power and the likes of True Love and Cardiff By The Sea will be hoping to break their maiden in this Group 2 contest.
Aidan O’Brien has won this race eight times as a trainer including with future Gold Cup winner Leading Light and with Gold Cup favourite Illinois last year.
Ryan Moore has kept faith with Shackleton over recent Navan winner Scandinavia in a race that could also provide Paddy Twomey with a first Royal Ascot winner with Carmers.
Francis- Henri Graffard trained runners always need a second look so Asmarani is respected as well as Derby also-ran Al Wasl Storm.
Both Fallen Angel and Running Lion are fitted with first-time cheekpieces in this Group 2 contest in a race where a few have question marks towards the top of the market.
Cinderella’s Dream returned from a spell abroad to win the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes beating last year’s 1000 Guineas winner Elmalka by 4 ½ lengths. One Look has returned this season in good form as well as last year’s Sandringham Stakes Soprano who won at Kempton on her reappearance.
Aidan O’Brien has won this race twice in the past four years with Love and Auguste Rodin and Los Angeles looks a worthy favourite based on his two victories so far this season.
He beat the reopposing Anmaat in the Tattersalls Gold Cup last time although supporters of that rival will be hoping that he can reverse that form with the benefit of that run.
The French hold strong claims with both Map Of Stars and Facteur Cheval and they look dangers as well as Ombudsman, who lost his unbeaten record last time, and See The Fire who was supplemented at a cost of £70,000.
What’s Coming Up on Day 3 at Royal Ascot
The highlight of the third day of Royal Ascot is the Gold Cup where Aidan O’Brien will be hoping that Illinois can win the race for a record extending 10th success as a trainer – eight runners have been declared for the race.
