Betting
LUCKY 15 | Royal Ascot – Day 1
The biggest week in flat racing is upon us, with today’s Lucky 15 focusing on the opening day of the Royal Ascot meeting.
The opening day’s action at the Berkshire course has three Group 1 contests on its card, with the Queen Anne Stakes getting the card underway at 2:30.
After looking through the declarations, the team has combined their selections into a Lucky 15 ahead of the first day’s racing.
Here is the opening day’s Lucky 15 for Royal Ascot.
4:20 Ascot – Maljoom (12/1)
A bright prospect from William Haggas’ yard, Maljoom could follow up his recent German 2,000 Guineas success with victory in the St James’s Palace Stakes.
The Caravaggio colt has won all three of his starts to date, making light work of his rivals at Doncaster and Kempton before making the trip to Cologne last month.
The three-year-old faces a tough task in the form of Coroebus, but it could be worth taking a chance on Maljoom as he may have more hidden in the locker.
5:00 Ascot – Pied Piper (5/1)
A promising sort from the world of National Hunt, Pied Piper is switched discipline this afternoon in hope of landing Royal Ascot success.
The gelding was unlucky to be demoted at Aintree back in April, but he has proven his capabilities and he looks to have a bright future over hurdles.
The longer trip of 2m4f on the flat shouldn’t bother him and in a race that National Hunt trainers usually dominate, the four-year-old is likely to be competitive here for Gordon Elliott.
5:35 Ascot – Harrovian (8/1)
Following a distance last-place finish in Meydan, Harrovian is dropped back in class for John & Thady Gosden in the Wolferton Stakes.
The gelding has put up some respectable efforts over the 1m2f trip, with his last success coming over this trip back at Doncaster in September.
The six-year-old will need to bounce back here, but you could expect a big performance if the ground remains on the firm side.
6:10 Ascot – Stowell (6/1)
After showing some inconsistency in Group company, Stowell is dropped into handicap company with a bit to prove for his connections.
The Zoffany colt’s best performance came at Ascot last year in the Queen’s Vase and while he hasn’t been great over the middle distances, he could be competitive when stepped back up in trip here.
The booking of Frankie Dettori will help and it’s likely the four-year-old will be in the mix if he’s back to his best.
