Royal Ascot Betting Preview

Royal Ascot is one of horse racing's most prestigous meetings with four days of fantastic flat racing. Royal Ascot takes place in the middle of June each year, and the 2008 event takes place between 18th and 21st June.

Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1)

This is where Royal Ascot begins. A Group One over a mile for older horses and normally one of the most popular Royal Ascot betting events as there is plenty of form to go on and many horses reopposing each other after the Lockinge at Newbury in May.

The main thing to note in this year race is the lack of early pace in the race. There are no front runners declared to run which is going to favour the speedier horses and those that race prominently on the day.

There are plenty of horses that might go off favourite for the race with just one point covering five horses in the Queen Anne betting. Aidan O’Brien saddles three in the race and his first string will be Haradasun who is 5/1 with Stan James. He was disappointing in the Lockinge and has plenty to prove in this race.

Sageburg is a French contender who is 5/1 with Bet Direct but considering the speed test this is likely to present it is worth taking on the horse that has never even won at a mile.

Cesare will be popular with an Ascot record that reads 115141 and he is interesting at 11/2 with Bet365. If there was more pace in the race he would be a strong bet to break his Group One duck but he may not quite be able to get up off a slow pace and looks more of a place bet.

The most interesting horse could be Tariq. He fared best of the four horses declared who ran in the Lockinge and on his favoured fast ground he will make a mockery of his 11/2 with Paddy Power. He can put his seven furlong speed to good use in this and not having won over a mile should be no problem considering this will be a speed test. He won last year at Royal Ascot and should at least fill the frame.

Prince of Wales Stakes (Group 1)

One of the highlights of Royal Ascot and the betting is dominated by Aidan O’Brien’s Duke of Marmalade who is 13/8 with Paddy Power. He is unbeaten this term in two starts in Group One company having been used largely as a pacemaker last season. That form was very strong so it has been no surprise to see him become one of the best horses in training this season and he is likely to justify his odds by winning this on his way to a possible tilt at the King George back at Ascot next month.

Next in the betting is Phoenix Tower who found the steady pace against him when tasting his first defeat last month in the Lockinge. He emerged from the race with great credit and with that experience likely to make him a better horse he is the most likely runner to take advantage if the favourite is below par. Phoenix Tower is 5/1 with Paddy Power in the Prince of Wales betting.

Royal Hunt Cup (Handicap)

One of the best Royal Ascot betting events with many bookmakers offering five places for each way bets on the day and there is likely to be plenty of each way value with a favourite who is just 7/4 at Betfair. That horse is Bankable, trained by Luca Cumani who is extremely well in following win in Listed company last time out.

He could be vulnerable having shown the best of his form with cut in the ground and at the price is worth taking on despite being the most likely winner.

The second favourite is Lang Shining who won the Spring Mile at Newbury and has run well in defeat since but he is another who may prefer a bit more cut and is high enough in the handicap so he is passed over at 8/1 with VC Bet.

The most interesting horse in the Royal Hunt Cup betting could be We’ll Come. Yet to win in handicap company but clearly talented and the step back up to a mile will suit. He ran well on his reappearance in a strong Ascot handicap and looks a great bet to reach the first four. We’ll Come is 9/1 with Bet365.

Other interesting contenders for the race are Docofthebay at 14/1 with Totesport. He is not particularly well handicapped but he loves a big field and rarely runs a bad race. Conditions are perfect for the Jamie Osbourne trained colt.

Ascot Gold Cup (Group 1)

The feature race of Royal Ascot and the longest distance Group One race in the British racing calendar. Yeats is just 6/4 with Bet365 to make this his third Ascot Gold Cup and who would bet against him?

His form is top class, he has won already this season and has never been beaten in six runs on good to firm ground (the expected going for Royal Ascot). No horse is bomb proof but this is as close as they come.

He could face his toughest opposition this year against well backed Coastal Path who is now just 5/2 in the Ascot Gold Cup betting with Totesport. Andre Fabre’s classy stayer is unbeaten in six starts and this step up in trip looks as though it will suit well. He is yet to run in Group One class though and more importantly has never run on firm going. He has only even ran on good ground once, on all other occasions the going was soft. He could well go on the ground but he is a short price all things considered.

Geordieland, so often the bridesmaid in this type of race finally won a race on British soil when taking the Yorkshire Cup last time out in a thrilling race. He is 12/1 with Paddy Power and considering he finished a not too distant second in the race last year he represents the best of the each way plays.

Golden Jubilee (Group 1)

A tough race to call with Sakhee’s Secret, a fast ground six furlong specialist, heading the market at 4/1 with Paddy Power. He has conditions to suit this year and should run well whatever happens after a good seasonal debut when second over an inadequate five furlongs.

Last year’s second, Takeover Target, looks to go one better this year and is 7/1 with Totesport to do so. He is also set to run in  Tuesday’s King’s Stand and a decent run there is likely to see his odds for this cut so it could be worth having a bet with the intention of laying it off at a shorter price after Tuesday on Betfair.

US Ranger is Aidan O Brien’s contender and he is 7/1 with Paddy Power but he can be frustrating to say the least and is more likely to be staying on for prize money rather than troubling the winner.

The best Golden Jubilee bet could be War Artist at 12/1 with VC Bet. He has been lugging around a Group One penalty in his three races on British soil after winning at the highest level in South Africa and things could finally fall right here. The big field and fast pace will play to his strengths here, as will the stiff finish and at the price he looks a great bet.

Wokingham Stakes (Handicap)

Another big field six furlong race for the Saturday of Royal Ascot and Intrepid Jack is just about holding on to favouritism at 10/1 with Bet365

He ran extremely well on his one run this season when narrowly failing to win with a late charge over five furlongs and he is well handicapped back over this six furlongs despite having his highest ever rating. He was runner up in the race last year on unsuitably soft ground and given luck in running he should go very close.

Next in the betting are Knot In Wood (12/1 Bet365), Tombi (14/1 Paddy Power) and Kings Apostle (14/1 Bet365). The former has had plenty of chances off this kind of mark whilst Tombi, who was very impressive last time out, might be found wanting off a 10lb higher mark in better company. Kings Apostle should run well after an encouraging seasonal reappearance against fitter rivals. That was strong form and he could give the favourite most to do.

Royal Ascot Free Bets:

To make the most of Royal Ascot betting we've highlighted the best free bets to be found during the event.

Bet 365 offer all new customers a free bet basket with up to £200 worth of free bets. You will be awarded a free bet after your first, tenth and twenteth bets, so if you are planning on having a few flutters during Royal Ascot then we'd definately reccomend Bet 365.

Paddy Power are the home of moneyback specials and also offer all new customers a free £20 bet during Royal Ascot