Punters Panel: Royal Ascot special – ante post betting advice from our experts
Our Odds Now Punters Panel returns for the second part of a special ante post look towards Royal Ascot (check out part one HERE!).
Ahead of a pulsating week of action later this month, we've once again assembled five leading voices to tackle key questions ahead of the Royal meeting.
Introducing the Odds Now Horse Racing Punters Panel
Before we get stuck in, here’s a little bit more on the five men answering our key questions:
Adam Smith - A betting industry veteran, flat lover and one half of our Races Now double act.
Harry Fowler - Another of Odds Now’s regular racing contributors currently working in the industry.
Lee Jones - Racing trader at a leading bookmaker and well-respected judge in betting circles.
Dale Nicholls - Long-term friend of Races Now and all-weather lover.
Daniel Morgan - Editor of TheAnteposter.com
Now, onto the good stuff...
With reigning champion Kyprios now retired, who wins this year's Gold Cup?
AS - It looks a poor renewal to me. Two unproven four year olds and a load of old fellas. Purely on ratings and his nice win at Sandown last month, Trawlerman represents this best value.
HF -The top two in the market are both going over half a mile further than they have before. Illinois is probably the right favourite and could be the next to take what is a weak division by storm, but has to prove he stays this far. Trawlerman does look like he could be the percentage play at this stage without the staying doubts, having ran a great race in this last year.
LJ -In what is one of the most average Gold Cups I’ve seen, Illinois is definitely the one to beat but i think he is going to drift a bit come the day as he is very short now around the 6/4 mark.
DN - I have been firmly in the Candelari camp for some time now. Quotes of 20/1 long gone since his Group One success and Kyprios' retirement.
DM - I cannot take Illinois at 7/4, having to go five furlongs further than ever before. Wonderful horse but not at that price. Candelari looks like the next big thing in the stayers’ division and he’ll do for me at 7/2.
Saturday's feature could see the the best sprinters from England, Ireland, France and Japan all face off. Who do you think will win the Jubilee Stakes?
AS -I'd be against Inisherin and thought it was a very strange race he won recently at York. But I just don't know enough about some of the other market leaders. Storm Boy was terrible on first run for Aidan. I've got no idea about Japan's Satono Reve. And when was the last time we could rely on a French sprinter at the top level?
HF - I like Storm Boy. How many times have we seen Aiden O'Brien do this kind of thing? Was well backed on stable debut but finished last on reappearance and I think is a very interesting candidate. There must be some confidence from somewhere to half him in price from 14’s down to biggest 7’s.
LJ - I think this could be the best six furlong race run in this country for a number of years. Storm Boy is definitely fancied to come on for his run last time but I’m going to side with Satono Reve at the prices as he will love the stiff six and has been running behind the world’s best sprinter in Hong Kong.
DN - If juice remains in the ground, I would certainly side with Top Gear. He has made waves from across the channel with emphatic wins at HQ to close out 2024 and on his reappearance last month. The drop back to six would be my other concern. Of everything between five furlongs to one mile, I think this is the most testing of drop backs in trip.
DM - Together with the Queen Anne, this is the race of the meeting. I’ll keep it simple: I think Japan’s Satono Reve has the best form and is therefore overpriced at 8/1. I will also play Flora Of Bermuda each-way if she is declared (still in King Charles III, currently).
Which two year old are you most looking forward to seeing at the Royal meeting?
AS - I've not cottoned on to the two year olds yet this year. Warsaw was bang impressive for O'Brien on debut, though. He wasn't first choice that day and would be looking forward to him if he runs.
HF - It has to be Zelaina in those Wathnan colours. The debut effort was a very exciting one. Then afterwards, Burke comes out and says she missed some work three weeks ago and she will come for it fitness wise.
LJ - All of Military Code’s form is working out very well and he will take some stopping in whatever race he goes for.
DN - Zelaina. The debut performance at Nottingham last week was electric. Jockey barely moved a muscle. The Queen Mary awaits.
DM - Treanmor in the Chesham.
Any fancies for the handicaps at this early stage?
AS - I thought Old Cock won really really well at York last time. Only up four pounds for that effort and would be of interest in the Hunt Cup. But may prefer a turn rather than a straight mile, so I'm yet to pull the trigger. Awaiting entries on the other handicaps.
HF - Bullet Point in the Royal Hunt Cup is the one taking my eye at this stage. Like many, he looks a horse on the up, winning his last three races. Most recently beating Tribal Chief by just over three lengths – a horse he beat by half a length previously.
LJ - There's a few I’ll be keeping a close eye on with final decs and draw to come. Merchant in the King George V. My Cloud in the Royal Hunt Cup. Never So Brave in the Wokingham. Pina Sonata in the Sandringham.
DN - A couple. One I mentioned last weekend and was an unlucky loser, Billyjoh. Worth a poke at 50/1 for the Wokingham. He’s ready to go in. Then also, Old Cock if getting anything with firm in the description may be overpriced in the Royal Hunt Cup at 25/1. Finished off really well at York and although up four pounds for that win, I’d argue it can probably be upgraded for the way it had to win.
DM - Good grief, no!
And finally, what is your NAP of the entire meeting?
AS - 7/4 Shadow Of Light for the Commonwealth is NAP material. Believing 5/1 for the King Charles III and Trawlerman 4/1 for the Gold Cup also look good value – the former will shorten, while the latter may not.
HF -I said it on Monday night's Epsom debrief show but I am sticking with Rosallion.
LJ - Merchant in the King George V Handicap.
DN - Rogue Supremacy in the Coventry at 16/1.
DM - KCIII: If only there were a G1 winner who loved fast ground and a breakneck pack over five furlongs at a double-figure price. Oh wait, there is one. And he’s twice the price he was a month ago just because of a lacklustre prep run under a big penalty. Step forward, Starlust. Wait till he's declared though, as he's an unlikely drifter so there's no point taking on antepost risk.