Royal Ascot enters its second day with a card packed full of quality, headed by a mouthwatering renewal of the Prince of Wales’s Stakes in which last year’s winner Ombudsman faces a stern examination from Arc hero Daryz.
The Group 1 showpiece is one of the highlights of the entire week, but it is far from the only race to savour, with competitive juvenile contests, a stamina test in the Queen’s Vase and the always fiendishly difficult Royal Hunt Cup adding further depth to an outstanding programme.
Royal Ascot Day Two Betting Tips
- 2.30 Senorita Bonita - 9/2 (e/w)
- 3.05 Galiyan – 5/2 (NAP)
- 3.40 Friendly Soul – 5/1
- 4.20 Daryz – 15/8
- 5.00 Classic – 11/1 (e/w)
- 5.35 Rumba Numba -16/1 (e/w)
- 6.10 Sergei Diaghilev – 5/2
*Odds subject to change.
Royal Ascot 2:30 - Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes (5f)
Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore combined to land this prize with True Love 12 months ago and boast another leading contender in unbeaten filly Victorious. She has created a favourable impression in two starts at Naas and shapes as though dropping to five furlongs should hold no fears despite a potentially awkward draw.
Preference, however, is for SENORITA BONITA, whose debut success at Nottingham hinted at a filly of considerable ability. Bought for 900,000gns at the breeze-ups, she overcame traffic problems before quickening impressively when finally seeing daylight and looks capable of taking another significant step forward.
Crystal Queen, Drazinda, Velozee and American challenger More Champagne all merit respect in a deep renewal.
- Selection: Senorita Bonita 9/2 (e/w)
- Danger: Victorious 4/1
Royal Ascot 3:05 - Group 2 Queen’s Vase (1m6f)
The Queen’s Vase often rewards stamina and improvement in equal measure, and GALIYAN appeals as one who could possess both in abundance.
Andrew Balding’s colt left a promising debut well behind when scoring convincingly at Chester, overcoming greenness before pulling clear in the closing stages. The step up to 1m6f promises to unlock further progress and Oisin Murphy can add yet another Royal Ascot winner to his bow.
Royal runner, Point Of Law, and the progressive Limestone appear the principal dangers.
- Selection: Galiyan 5/2
- Danger: Point Of Law 7/1
Royal Ascot 3.40 - Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes (1m)
Blue Bolt advertised her wellbeing with a stylish comeback victory at Goodwood and brings proven Group 1 form into the contest after finishing second in last season’s Sun Chariot.
The vote, though, goes to FRIENDLY SOUL, whose return from almost 20 months off ended prematurely after encountering trouble at Haydock. Prior to that, she had won four of her five starts, including at Group 1 level, and, if none the worse for that mishap, she is capable of making her class tell.
Snellen, a previous Royal Ascot scorer, is another with solid credentials.
- Selection: Friendly Soul 5/1
- Danger: Blue Bolt 11/4
Royal Ascot 4:20 - Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes (1m2f)
The feature race of the afternoon centres on a fascinating clash between reigning champion Ombudsman and Arc winner DARYZ.
Ombudsman sets an exceptionally high standard after last year’s victory and remains one of the leading middle-distance performers in training, but Daryz arrives with an equally compelling profile. The Arc hero has returned in excellent order this season and possesses both stamina and tactical speed in abundance.
Although this trip is shorter than ideal, the four-year-old’s finishing kick could prove decisive if the race develops into the expected tactical affair.
- Selection: Daryz 15/8
- Danger: Ombudsman 11/8
Royal Ascot 5.00 - Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap) (1m)
As ever, the Royal Hunt Cup presents one of the week’s toughest betting puzzles with a maximum field charging down Ascot’s straight mile.
Indalo heads the market after a pleasing comeback run, but CLASSIC appeals as the value option after getting the better of that rival at Newbury. A strong traveller who appears well suited by Ascot, he looks capable of progressing again off a 4lb higher mark, from a favourable draw.
Holloway Boy, Linwood, Mister Winston and Thunder Run all warrant consideration.
- Selection: Classic 11/1 (e/w)
- Danger: Linwood 11/1
Royal Ascot 5:35 - Kensington Palace Stakes (Fillies’ Handicap) (1m)
A highly competitive handicap in which several arrive with compelling claims.
Alobayyah commands respect on the back of her course form, while Song And Dance again looks likely to be involved after a strong recent effort over track and trip.
The preference is for RUMBA NUMBA, who returned from a lengthy absence with a smooth success at Doncaster and has the profile of a filly capable of taking another sizeable step forward. Her ability to travel strongly through her races should prove a major asset in what promises to be a strongly run contest.
All Moonshine, Miss Nightfall and Zgharta are among the dangers.
- Selection: Rumba Numba 16/1 (e/w)
- Danger: Alobayyah 4/1
Royal Ascot 6:10 - Listed Windsor Castle Stakes (6f)
Aidan O’Brien has won four runnings of this contest, and SERGEI DIAGHILEV could add another success to the tally.
The son of Wootton Bassett shaped with abundant promise when making a winning debut at the Curragh, travelling keenly before asserting with plenty left in reserve. With the placed horses going on to win on their next start, boosting the form, he looks capable of significant improvement.
Contolla rates a serious threat after chasing home Victorious in Group company at Naas on debut, while Rules Control should appreciate a sounder surface after scoring on heavy ground at the Curragh.
- Selection: Sergei Diaghilev 5/2
- Danger: Rules Control 10/1
Tune in tomorrow to get our betting tips for Day Three at Royal Ascot.
