Steve Ryder has expert tips for the Commonwealth Cup and Coronation Stakes, for which one horse hits all the key betting trends.
14:30 Friday
The fourth day of Royal Ascot features two Group 1 races with the Coronation Stakes and Commonwealth Cup as well as the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes. Add in a fascinating renewal of the Albany Stakes and three big field handicaps, then it looks to be a fantastic day of action.
Royal Ascot Day 4 Tips
2:30 Gold Digger 8/1 (0.5pt ew)
There are multiple exciting fillies in the Albany Stakes but given the form boosts from her debut success, I prefer the chances of GOLD DIGGER (best priced at 8/1). The Richard Spencer trained filly was sent off a well backed 9/4 favourite on her debut when she was given an educational ride by Jamie Spencer.
The form of that success has been boosted with the third, fourth and seventh winning since as well as winners coming out of those races too. Gold Digger reopposes with the likes of Awaken and Nandita but she looked much the best that day and is well drawn in Stall 14.
15:05 Friday
3:05 Shadow Of Light 2/1 (1pt)
Last year’s European Champion Two-Year-Old SHADOW OF LIGHT (best priced at 2/1) ran well to finish 3rd in the 2000 Guineas behind Ruling Court and Field Of Gold and he should relish this return to sprinting.
Progressive with each of his starts last season, the Charlie Appleby trained colt beat Whistlejacket by four lengths in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes before justifying favouritism in the Dewhurst Stakes only a fortnight later.
Shadow Of Light showed an explosive turn of foot to get into contention in the 2000 Guineas before finishing only a length behind Ruling Court at the line and he is the one to beat if running up to the level of his 120 rating.
17:00 Friday
5:00 Dancing Teapot 40/1 (0.5pt ew)
DANCING TEAPOT (best priced at 40/1) is a full sister to Dancing Gemini so she is bred to be much better than her mark of 84. The Joseph O’Brien trained filly finished 2nd on her first two starts at Dundalk before finishing 5th at the Curragh on her reappearance.
Dancing Teapot won a Gowran maiden by a length last time and interestingly is now fitted with first time cheekpieces for this race. Although yet to taste success so far this week, runners from the stable are doing well and she could hit the frame at a big price.
Key Royal Ascot Stats & Trends for Day 4
Commonwealth Cup:
- Eight of the previous 10 winners were rated 113 or higher
- Eight of the previous 10 winners had at least 1 win at group level
- Seven of the previous 10 winners had run at Ascot previously
Coronation Stakes:
- 11 of the previous 12 winners had at least four previous flat runs
- Nine of the previous 12 winners had won at least 1 Group 1 race
- Seven of the previous 12 winners had won last time out
- ***Zarigana is the only filly who hits all three trends***
King Edward VII Stakes:
- All 12 of the previous 12 winners had never run at Ascot before
- 10 of the previous 12 winners had at least three previous flat runs
- 10 of the previous 12 winners were rated 103 or higher
Key Races & Horses to Watch on Day 4 at Royal Ascot
Aidan O’Brien is currently tied with Mick Channon on three victories in this race and punters feel that the maiden Signora will hold strong claims of giving him a record fourth victory this year. She faces impressive maiden/novice winners Venetian Sun, Fitzella and Gold Digger as well as Green Sense who finished one place ahead of Signora at Naas in a Group 3 behind Lady Iman last time.
Shadow Of Light sets the standard returned to sprinting with a rating of 120 but he faces strong opposition from Juddmonte in the shape of Babouche and Jonquil. Aidan O’Brien won this with Caravaggio in 2017 and he has both Whistlejacket and Ides Of March and it is worth mentioning Big Mojo who won the trial for this race in April.
The fact that both Falakeyah and Kon Tiki have been supplemented for this race means that antepost favourite Zarigana has drifted in the market. The French 1000 Guineas winner is top rated in the field ahead of Exactly who is ridden by Wayne Lordan with Ryan Moore preferring the chances of January instead.
It is a shame that Convergent is an early NR for this race as he brought Chester Vase/Derby form into it. The unbeaten Amiloc heads the market for Ralph Beckett ahead of Zahrann for Jonny Murtagh.
Puppet Master narrowly won the Lingfield Derby trial from a stablemate and is the choice of Ryan Moore over Galveston. Both Nightwalker and Wimbledon Hawkeye are fitted with new headgear and it will be interesting to see how Irish Derby entrant Opportunity gets on having been badly hampered at Goodwood last time.
What’s coming up on Day 5 at Royal Ascot
The highlight of the final day of Royal Ascot is the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes where last year’s Commonwealth Cup hero Inisherin faces foreign raiders Lazzat, Satono Reve, Topgear and Storm Boy.
