Rest of Royal Ascot

The Group Two King Edward VII Stakes over 1 1/2 miles for 3yo´s at 16.05 CET is also known as the Ascot Derby, but ironically history shows that horses that have run well at Epsom frequently run badly here. For that reason one should be cautious about backing Battle of Marengo (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) at odds-on; he was fourth in the Derby, and both that performance and his previous form make him almost unbeatable here in theory. Not only that, this is one of the few Ascot races in which O´Brien has a poor record and Battle of Marengo has to concede weight as well. He will still probably win, but we would prefer to go for an each-way alternative and our choice here is Mutashaded (Roger Varian/ Paul Hanagan), who is unbeaten in two starts and probably much better than his rating. We also like his pedigree, as he is out of a sister to Samum and other German stars.

The Queen´s Vase at 18.00 is also for 3yo´s and over much further - 2 miles - a trip that hardly any of these have tackled, so one has to take a lot on trust here. The race this year is being run "in Memory of Sir Henry Cecil", who won it several times in the 1980s and 1990s - but this century only 4 trainers have been successful: O´Brien, Mark Johnston, Saeed bin Suroor and Sir Michael Stoute. Three of them have runners today and O´Brien´s Leading Light, who has to concede 3 lbs all round, is the obvious favourite- although he has never yet run beyond 10 furlongs - but the 3 Johnston runners must all be feared. Obviously a win for Disclaimer, trained by Cecil´s widow Jane, would be highly popular and is by no means impossible.

O´Brien also has a good chance in the opening Albany Stakes for 2yo fillies with Wonderfully, who impressed us greatly when finishing fast to win on his debut; Joyeuse (Lady Cecil/ Tom Queally) has the best pedigree in the race, being a half-sister to Frankel, while Sandiva (Richard Fahey/ Frankie Dettori) is the only runner to have won twice and is best on ratings.

The two handicaps ayre as difficult as ever and we have had absolutely no luck so far at this Meeting, but for the record our 3 against the field at 17.25 are Forgotten Voice (Nicky Henderson/ Johnny Murtagh), Albasharah (Saeed bin Suroor/ Silvestre de Sousa) and Fattsota (Marco Botti/ Martin Harley), and at 18.35 Berriewhittle (david barron/ Graham Gibbons), Emilio Largo (James Fanshawe/ Queally) and Enrol (Stoute/ Moore).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Sandiva - Joyeuse - Wonderfully
2. Race: Greatwood - Hillstar - Contributer
3. Race: Just The Judge - Sky Lantern - Big Break
4. Race: Albasharah - Dick Doughtywylie - Sheikhzayedroad
5. Race: Leading Light - Disclaimer - Nichols Canyon
6. Race: Enrol - Emilio Largo - Democretes