Thursday 20th June 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (@jordan_yates_)
2.30: Norfolk Stakes: Day Three gets underway once again at 2.30 and this time it’s with the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes over five furlongs. I’m with the Irish raider Whistlejacket here for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. He progressed impressively from his racecourse debut to win a Listed contest at the Curragh by just shy of four lengths last month. He got the better of Arizona Blaze on that occasion who he’ll reoppose here, and it’s hard to see that form being turned around. Connections seem bullish about him and I think he’s got a massive chance. Whistlejacket – 5/4 (Win) (NB)
3.05: King George V Stakes: It’s handicap action next as the 3.05 is the King George V Stakes which is a Heritage Handicap over a mile and four furlongs. I’m with the progressive Going The Distance here for Ralph Beckett and Rossa Ryan. He comes into the race having won his last three starts including his seasonal reappearance which came in a Kempton handicap back in April on his handicap debut. It was a comfortable success on that occasion and whilst this requires more improvement he looks like he could have a lot more to offer. Going The Distance – 13/2 (Each-Way) (7 places Sky Bet)
3.45: Ribblesdale Stakes: The third race of the day is the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes for the fillies over a mile and four furlongs. We’ve got a short-priced favourite here in Diamond Rain for Charlie Appleby and William Buick who I will try and take on with Kalpana who’s currently a best price of 9/2 for Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy. She won a handicap by ten lengths on her seasonal reappearance before finishing second in Listed company last time to Friendly Soul. I think she’s a bit better than run, despite it still being a good one, and she may well have a lot more to offer. She looks the value against the favourite. Kalpana – 9/2 (Win)
4.25: Gold Cup: It’s the feature at 4.25 which is the Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup over two miles and four furlongs. This looks to be all about Kyrpios here for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore who currently heads the betting. He won the race back in 2022 before he met a set back, and has since returned to the track this season winning Listed and Group 3 contests in comfortable fashion when heavily odds on. He wasn’t asked for everything in both of those efforts this term and should be spot on for this. If he’s anywhere near his best he’s the best horse in the race and is the one they all have to beat. Kyprios – 5/6 (Win) (NAP)
5.05: Britannia Stakes: The fifth race of the afternoon is the Britannia Stakes which is another Heritage Handicap over a mile. I’m with Native Warrior here for the combination of Karl Burke and James Doyle. This is his handicap debut so he’s certainly been thrown in at the deep end, however, I think he could prove to be a progressive colt for connections. He won a Nottingham maiden comfortably on his seasonal reappearance and was just over three lengths behind Guineas winner Notable Speech in a conditions race last term. If getting a bit of luck in the run there’s every chance he could feature. Native Warrior – 12/1 (Each-Way) (5 places Boylesports)
5.40: Hampton Court Stakes: The penultimate race of the day is the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes which comes up at 5.40 over a mile and two furlongs, this will be my final selection of the day as my previous pick in the finale is now a non-runner. This can go to King’s Gambit for the team of Harry Charlton and William Buick. He was very impressive on his most recent start where he won the London Cup by four lengths, which is an extremely competitive handicap. He looked like a group horse in the making on that occasion and is well worth his place in the field, if he continues to progress he should be bang there. King’s Gambit – 11/8 (Win)
