Paul Ferguson has three selections for us on Saturday; Harry Angel in the 16:20, Crystal Ocean 15:05 and Thomas Hobson 17:35 all at Royal Ascot. Compare odds and bet.
Having made a pleasing winning return at York Harry Angel (4:20) is fancied to land Saturday’s feature, the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.
Clive Cox’s four-year-old developed into a high-class sprinter last season – when winning the July Cup and the Sprint Cup at Haydock – and he looked as good as ever at York under his Group 1 penalty. Yet to win at Ascot, he ran well on quick ground at this meeting last year when just in front of Tuesday’s King’s Stand winner Blue Point and I don’t see the track being an issue.
Earlier on the card, the Hardwicke Stakes looks at the mercy of Crystal Ocean (3:05) for the record-breaking Sir Michael Stoute.
Another four-year-old that has returned to action at the top of his game, he improved on his Sandown reappearance when stepping back up to this trip in Newbury’s Aston Park Stakes and given the trainer’s record in this race, it was the obvious next step. He can provide Stoute with an eighth victory in the race since 2006.
The concluding race of the meeting can go the way of Thomas Hobson (5:35) who finished runner-up in the race 12 months ago. He had won the Ascot Stakes in impressive fashion earlier in the week and we’ve not seen him since he finished sixth in the Melbourne Cup.
Runner-up in the Doncaster Cup the time before, he developed into a very smart stayer and will be difficult to beat, if fully tuned up for his return.
Saturday’s selections:
3:05 Royal Ascot – Crystal Ocean;
4:20 Royal Ascot – Harry Angel;
5:35 Royal Ascot – Thomas Hobson;
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