Sports Blog 16/06/2015: Horse Racing Preview – Royal Ascot 2015, Tuesday 16th to Saturday 20th June 2015

It’s time to put on your top hat and tails and head to Berkshire in time for Royal Ascot 2015!

Proceedings get under way on Tuesday, and the King’s Stand Stakes is the race to watch. Nineteen horses are set to compete; favourite is Sole Power, winner of this race for the last 2 years in a row, at 4/1. Hot on his heels is Muthmir, who has won 3 of its last 5 races, is at 11/2, whilst Meccas Angel, who has won her last 3 starts in a row, is at 6/1. The Australian Shamal Wind won her last 2 races at Caulfield and Sandown is at 15/2, whilst winner of the Betfred Sprint Cup G Force is at 9/1.



Rounding out the field is Rangali and Pearl Secret both at 18/1, Goldream at 20/1, Jack Dexter and Wind Fire both at 22/1, Hot Streak and Stepper Point both at 25/1, Spirit Quartz, Steps and Take Cover at 33/1, Justice Day and Medicean Man at 40/1 whilst Robot Boy and Lancelot Du Lac are at 50/1.

It is a smaller field for Wednesday’s main attraction, the Prince of Wales Stakes, with a notable absence. US Horse of the Year California Chrome is a non-runner due to a foot abscess, removing on of the favourites from the race. This leaves Free Eagle, ridden by Pat Smullen and a big winner at Leopardstown, at 10/3, whilst Dante Stakes and Prix du Jockey Club winner The Grey Gatsby at 11/2, the same price as French colt Ectot.



Australian Derby winner Criterion is at 7/1, whilst a strong performance at Sandown has put Western Hymn at 8/1. Galio Chop and Spielberg are both at 11/1, whilst The Corsican rounds out the pack at 20/1.

No surprise at what is the focus on Thursday; the Ascot Gold Cup is the most prestigious event for ‘stayers’ in Britain, and perhaps the pinnacle of the 5 day event. Forgotten Rules is favourite at 5/2 after maintaining an unbeaten record since his debut last April, whilst Mizzou is at 4/1 after winning Sagaro. Vent De Force, winner of three handicaps this year, is at 15/2; Bathyrhon and Clever Cookie are both at 10/1 with each proving themselves over 2 ½m in the last year. Trip to Paris is at 11/1 after winning the Chester Cup, whilst Kingfisher and Alex My Boy are both at 12/1.



Completing the field is Simenon at 14/1, Tac De Boistron at 16/1, Havana Beat at 18/1, High Jinx at 22/1, Scotland at 25/1, both Windshear and Fly With Me at 28/1, Biographer and Forever Now each at 33/1, with Kalann at 50/1.

An expansive field competes for the Commonwealth Cup on Friday. Despite a slip to runner-up at Haydock, Limato remains favourite at 3/1, whilst Hootenanny, winner of the Windsor Castle Stakes at Ascot last year, is at 9/2. Not to be confused with a Teletubbie, Tiggy Wiggy is at 5/1 following a third place finish in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, with Anthem Alexander at 13/2 and Adaay, who beat Limato at Haycock, at 7/1.



This big field is completed by Muhaarar at 11/1, Tendu and Home of the Brave at 12/1, Cyclogenisis at 14/1, Kool Kompany at 16/1 and Both New Providence and Mattmu at 18/1. Toscanini and The Happy Prince are both then at 22/1, whilst Salt Island, Profitable, Goken, Terror and Jungle Cat are all at 25/1; lastly Ahlan Emarati and Likely are both at 28/1.

Things begin to wrap up on Saturday, with all eyes on the Diamond Jubilee Stakes. One of the many Australian horses at Ascot this year, Brazen Beau, is top of the pile going into Saturday at 3/1 following strong wins in 2 of his last 3 six-furlong events bKing ack in Oz. A win at the Greenland Stakes has left Mustajeeb at 9/2, whilst the winner of the Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington, Wandjina, is at 10/1. Due Diligence is at 11/1, while both G Force (running in the King’s Stand Stakes on Tuesday as well) and Tropics are at 12/1.



Undrafted is at 14/1 whilst Moviesta is at 16/1, Gordon Lord Byron is at 18/1, and Music Master is at 20/1. Lucky Kristale, Sole Power (favourite for the King’s Stand Stakes), Glass Office and Pearl Secret (also in the King’s Stand Stakes) are all at 22/1. Astaire is then at 25/1 with Cougar Mountain at 28/1; Caspar Netshcher, Hot Streak and Ansgar are all at 33/1, whilst Pretend is at 40/1 and Blhadawa is at 50/1.

Make sure to check back at Spreadex throughout Royal Ascot for all the latest fixed odds and spread betting opportunities!