Paul Ferguson has two selections from Royal Ascot for us on Thursday; Stradivarius at 4.20 and Sinjaari at 5.35. Compare odds and bet.
Last year’s leading stayer Stradivarius (4:20) is fancied to defend his crown in Thursday’s feature from the Royal Ascot, the Group 1 Gold Cup.
John Gosden’s five-year-old took all before him in this division last year and he made a pleasing winning return in the Lonsdale Cup at York. A winner on soft, he wouldn’t want the ground to become too testing, as that could stretch his stamina and also potentially blunt his speed, but if it is no worse than good-to-soft, I expect him to be difficult to beat.
The concluding King George V Stakes is always one of my favourite races of the meeting and it again brings together some improving middle-distance performers. The connections of several of these three-year-olds will be hopeful that their charges develop into pattern-class performers and I have had this race in mind for Sinjaari (5:35) ever since finishing runner-up to Headman (runs earlier on the card, in the Hampton Court Stakes) at Newbury.
A good-traveller, the Camelot colt should appreciate the step up in trip and has the pace to hold his position in a strongly-run event. He had earlier bumped into the upwardly mobile Private Secretary, before winning a really well-contested Windsor maiden. Global Heat (2nd) and, even more so, Durston (4th) have advertised that form since and the selection appears to be improving with every run. He was all set to be one of my each-way bets of the week, although being handed stall 22 of 22 is far from ideal. Hopefully, James Doyle can get him some cover and he won’t be too far off the speed.
Of the opposition, I have plenty of respect for top-weight Constantinople, who looked like he would relish this trip when winning a Group 3 last time, and also for Sir Ron Priestley. Mark Johnston’s Australia colt has won both starts since stepping up to this 1m4f trip and he had 6 lengths to spare over Babbo’s Boy (won twice since and re-opposes here on 3lbs better terms) when he beat him at Ripon. At the prices, I certainly wouldn’t put anyone off saving on Sir Ron Priestley, who looks a typical Mark Johnston improver and the stable has a fine record in this race.
Of those at bigger odds, Ripon winner Great Example could well step forward and this is a race which should throw up plenty of winners later in the season.
Thursday’s selections:
4:20 Royal Ascot – Stradivarius; 11/8 Unibet
5:35 Royal Ascot – Sinjaari; 6/1 Ladbrokes
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