Paul Ferguson three selections from Royal Ascot for us on Tuesday; Frankly Darling at 2,25 Mogul at 3.00 and Verdana Blue at 4.40. Preview…
Royal Ascot gets underway on Tuesday, where Frankly Darling (2:25) is fancied to land the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes, for John Gosden and Frankie Dettori.
An impressive winner at Newcastle on her reappearance, she is bred to relish the step up in distance (three-parts sister to First In Line) and looks open to bags of improvement.
The King Edward VII Stakes has cut up, and Mogul (3:00) is another who is bred to make up into a very smart middle-distance performer. A full-brother to last year’s winner Japan, he won a competitive Group 2 as a two-year-old (runner-up finished sixth in the Irish 2000 Guineas on Friday and fifth is a Group winner this season) before finishing fourth to Kameko in the Futurity Stakes, when he would have been suited by racing closer to the stand’s side.
His form stands out here, and with the prospect of considerable improvement up in distance, he should prove hard to beat.
If the rain stays away (good ground or better) Verdana Blue (4:40) is taken to defy top-weight in the concluding Ascot Stakes.
Nicky Henderson’s high-class hurdler (rated 160) is full of speed and is very much at her best on quicker ground. The trip is a slight concern, but I expect her to last home unless it is soft, and she could easily outclass the opposition. Ryan Moore has a fine recent record in this race, so is a notable jockey booking.
Of the opposition, Coeur de Lion is one to note at a bigger price, having run well in the race for the past two years. He is on the same mark as in 2018 and wears the first-time visor. He receives 9lbs from Verdana Blue, whereas if this were a hurdle race, there would be 29lbs between the pair.
Tuesday’s selections:
2:25 Royal Ascot – Frankly Darling; 6/4 Betfair
3:00 Royal Ascot – Mogul; 10/11 Paddy Power
4:40 Royal Ascot – Verdana Blue; 9/2 Paddy Power
Compare all today’s horse racing odds and bet at the best prices
NB. All odds shown are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.
