Yahoo Sport UK’s Royal Ascot – Day 5 Preview

Yahoo Sport UK has teamed up with Bet4Causes to bring you a preview of the day’s British racing – and The Night Hawk marks your card.

It is the final day of Royal Ascot 2016 and we have the analysis and selections for every race, plus all the other British and Irish meetings taking place on Saturday, June 18.

Each day Bet4Causes will provide you with a preview of the day’s racing, offering what the experts feel will be the value bets of the day.

ROYAL ASCOT – DAY FIVE

2.30 Chesham Stakes (Listed) 7f

FORECAST: Cunco (11/4), Churchill (3/1), Frankuus (9/2), Magillen (8/1), Isomer (10/1), Justice Frederick (12/1), Admiralty Arch (14/1), Aiming For Rio (20/1), Devil’s Bridge (20/1), Filudo (25/1), Masham Star (25/1), Mr Scaramanga (25/1), Eldorado Creek (50/1), Thora Barber (50/1), Walter Raleigh (100/1)

HISTORY: This race was named after the third Baron Chesham, who was the last Master of the Buckhounds from 1900 to 1901. First run in 1919, The Chesham Stakes replaced the first leg of The Triennial Stakes, which had been run over five furlongs for two-year-olds. Now a Listed contest, the race takes place over the longer distance of seven furlongs.

The unusual conditions of the race, restricted to horses whose sires have won over 10 furlongs or further, mean that the contest can frequently be one of the weakest of the Royal meeting.

It is not a race that goes to form often, either. In the last seven years, the winning SPs were 22/1, 7/1 5/2F, 9/2, 1/1, 10/1 and 14/1 with Suits You scoring for trainer Eoghan O’Neill and jockey Cristian Demuro last season.

ANALYSIS: The market and the pre-race talk will centre on two colts who were both sired by the great Frankel.

Both Cunco and Frankuus made winning debuts. Cunco, trained by John Gosden, was the first of the sire’s progeny to hit the racetrack. He was coltish before his Newbury debut, needed two handers in the parade ring and was keen to post for the 6f maiden. In fact, he did plenty wrong. But he came back well, running green before the penny dropped to produce a swift turn of foot and beat Isomer. He took a while to pull up and looked a very smart prospect. This extra furlong is certain to suit.

Isomer hit the front 1f out and looked set to score but could not handle the winner’s turn of foot and could be similarly susceptible today.

Frankuus, trained by Mark Johnston, was similarly green beforehand on his Haydock debut and while he travelled well, still looked as though he would come on immensely for his first start, despite winning well.

CHURCHILL might trump them both, however. Aidan O’Brien’s Galileo colt looked in need of his debut when third to Van Der Decken at the Curragh, but he stayed on strongly in the last furlong and will surely go on to win a maiden before tackling better company.

Magillen, a 120,000 euros half-brother to six winners including the Listed 5f juvenile winner Primo Lady, was a fast-finishing nose second to Rodaini over 6f at Leicester. The Charles Hills-trained Lope De Vega colt slipped up on the bend after the race and hopefully this will not have dented his confidence. He looks sharp and the stable’s runners invariably improve for their debut.

Justice Frederick had two runs for Joseph O’Brien, scoring over 7f at Gowran Park and going down in history as the first of undoubtedly many winners to go through his hands in future. It was also the first runner in his name. The Lawman colt has since changed hands and will have his first run for Paul D’Arcy.

Admiralty Arch and Aiming For Rio both improved for their debut at Chantilly when respective fourth and fifth in a 5f soft-ground contest to each win next time out. The former, trained by Richard Hannon, had Masham Star behind over 6f on fast ground at York, while Matthieu Palussiere’s representative has since scored at Cagnes-sur-mer and at Deauville. The trip should certainly suit Admiraltry Arch who looks fair each-way value.

3.05 Wolferton Handicap (Listed) 1m2f

FORECAST: Best Of Times (4/1), Educate (8/1), Maleficent Queen (8/1), Oceanographer (8/1), Pacify (8/1), Revolutionist (12/1), Second Wave (12/1), Arthenus (14/1), Battalion (14/1), Maverick Wave (14/1), Not So Sleepy (14/1), Sir Isaac Newton (14/1), Noble Gift (16/1), What About Carlo (16/1), Our Channel (20/1), Fire Fighting (25/1)

HISTORY: First run in this form in 2002 as part of the five-day Royal Ascot meeting to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee, this is a Listed handicap over 10 furlongs for four-year-olds and upwards.

The market leader has been successful on just three occasions, including last year when the John Godsden-trained Mahsoob scored at odds of 7/4 under Paul Hanagan.

ANALYSIS: Gosden would not appear to hold the ace in the pack this time. Maverick Wave has not won in six starts since landing the Huxley at Chester’s May meeting last year and likes to do his work from the front – and in a field of 16, that may not be a given for what looks the Godolphin fourth string.

Sheikh Mohammed’s operation has thrown plenty of darts this week and has been well rewarded. Best Of Times represents Saeed bin Suroor’s branch of the ever-expanding tree and the lightly-raced Dubawi colt, who won a Listed race at Newmarket over this trip last May, would be the pick of the quartet. Second to Algometer in the Cocked Hat at Goodwood, he let that form down somewhat thereafter in a blanket finish to a 7½f handicap at Chester late last month. He is better suited to today’s trip but his ability to handle soft ground is unknown.

Oceanographer and Second Wave are saddled by Charlie Appleby’s Godolphin team and boast similar form. The former, a lightly-raced Sea The Stars four-year-old, went up 11lb for winning at Kempton in December and was only fourth to Oasis Fantasy at Newmarket on his return on May 1. He has his quirks, but also arguably the best jockey on board to help him in William Buick.

Second Wave has won three of his last five, with his last win coming off a mark of 93 on the AW at Wolverhampton. He is progressive and perhaps a bit more straightforward than Oceanographer.

Educate has been harshly hiked 12lb since making his return, finishing a fine second to Decorated Knight in a well-contested Goodwood handicap. He lost his way last season and tumbled down the weights (rated as high as 113 two years ago), but on the evidence of that run, he looked back to near his best and Ismail Mohammed’s seven-year-old could pose a major threat with that ring-rust knocked off.

Maleficent Queen has done little wrong since making her debut last May. She has won each of her last five starts, justifying favouritism in her last four, including when taking a Listed fillies’ and mares’ event off a mark of 96 at Ayr last time on good to soft ground. Whether she can handle another 8lb rise is open to argument, but Keith Dalgleish’s four-year-old comes here in prime form.

Not So Sleepy did not do badly on his return to action behind Time Test at Sandown. Racing off the same 104 mark and with Hughie Morrison’s string in ripe form, there is every chance he could be in the shake-up at decent odds.

But a chance is taken on REVOLUTIONIST. Mark Johnston’s four-year-old has improved with every run this season and took the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar on good to firm ground that would not necessarily have suited him last time. He is a big, long-striding son of Pivotal, who appears to have relished the step up to a mile and a quarter. A further 5lb rise may not be enough to see him landing a hat-trick.

Pacify, who has been a close second on his last three starts in decent handicap company, including when chasing home Nayel at York last time, has a turn of foot and will be staying on at the death. Ralph Beckett’s four-year-old cannot be discounted in an open race.

3.40 Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) 1m4f

FORECAST: Exosphere (5/2), Dartmouth (5/1), Eagle Top (5/1), Highland Reel (8/1), Almodovar (10/1), Beautiful Romance (10/1), Simple Verse (10/1), Astronereus (12/1), Wicklow Brave (12/1), Mount Logan (16/1)

HISTORY: Named after the fifth Earl of Hardwicke, Master of the Buckhounds between 1874 and 1879, the race was first run in 1879. The Group 2 contest continues to attract the best older middle distance horses, and is often an informative guide to The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes in July. It has been a decent race for punters in recent times, with five of the eight favourites successful. Last year, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Snow Sky scored at odds of 12/1 under Pat Smullen.

ANALYSIS: Stoute has won this race six times in the past decade and nine times in total since 1986. Having landed this with Telescope two years ago, he seeks a hat-trick in successive years and has the current top two in the market.

Exosphere, a four-year-old by Beat Hollow, beat Simple Verse by four lengths in a Group 2 at Newmarket to start the season. That was on his first try at 1m4f and he looked a much different animal to the one that had last been seen when beaten in a Listed contest at Ayr last September. He has, according to his trainer, “grown up a lot and really matured” over the winter.

In the same hands, Dartmouth runs in the colours of HM The Queen. He won the Group 3 Ormonde at Chester’s May meeting, dictating a modest pace before winding things up and digging deep to repel Wicklow Brave, who was having his first run of the season for Willie Mullins. Dartmouth was conceding 3lb to his rivals there, and like his stablemate, he is developing into a useful middle-distance performer now that he is maturing. There should be more to come.

EAGLE TOP needed his first run of last season but then finished second to Snow Sky in this race before doing the same when nosed out of the King George on soft ground in July last year. He was beaten on his seasonal debut again at Newbury in a Group 3 as an odds-on favourite in the Aston Park, but he looked in need of the run. While he has won just twice in his 10-race career and while John Gosden maintains he is better on a faster surface, he is by Pivotal, so should appreciate cut in the ground more than most rivals. If he bounces back to near his best, he could be the one to beat and is worth another chance.

Almodovar, trained by David Lanigan, had been gelded over the winter before earning a wide-margin victory in a decent Kempton handicap, easily defying top weight. Such was the manner of his success that the handicapper hiked him from a mark of 93 to 107. Yet he still has a bit to find on official ratings with the principals.

Highland Reel, winner of the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase and the Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes at Arlington last season, was a fine fourth in the Dubai Sheema Classic behind Postponed at Meydan in March but nothing went right in the QEII Cup back at Sha Tin in April. The Galileo four-year-old simply cannot be written off in this company.

Beautiful Romance represents Godolphin, who believe that she is a Group 1 filly. She took a fast-ground York Group 2 on her return, looking like she would appreciate a softer surface and there is plenty in her favour today, including the extra two furlongs.

4.20 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) 6f

FORECAST: Magical Memory (3/1), Twilight Son (4/1), The Tin Man (9/2), Gold-Fun (8/1), Undrafted (8/1), Holler (10/1), Suedois (10/1), Jungle Cat (16/1), Mattmu (16/1), Signs Of Blessing (20/1)

HISTORY: Royal Ascot’s most prestigious sprint became the Diamond Jubilee Stakes in 2012 in recognition of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to throne in 1952. It was elevated to Group One status to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002 and run as the Golden Jubilee Stakes from 2002-2011. Prior to 2002, the contest was known as the Cork & Orrery Stakes, originally named after Lord Cork, a Master of the Buckhounds.

The inaugural running of this this six-furlong contest took place in 1868. Undrafted became the first US-trained winner of the Diamond Jubilee Stakes in 2015. Trained by Wesley Ward and ridden by Frankie Dettori, the five-year-old ran on strongly to deny Australian raider Brazen Beau by half a length.

ANALYSIS: There has been one three-time winner, Prince Charlie (1872, 1873 and 1874), and five dual winners, so UNDRAFTED will aim to become the sixth. Owned by former NFL wide receiver Wes Welker, the six-year-old will take his chance despite the ground being against him. He was not at his best despite landing a Grade 2 on firm ground at Keeneland in April. Ward says he has been working well and in what looks a very weak renewal, with just 10 runners expected to line up, it is worth taking the risk.

Frankie Dettori, who was aboard Unfradted last year, jumps ship and continues to partner last season’s Stewards Cup winner Magical Memory for Charles Hills. The four-year-old took the Group 3 Abernant at Newmarket on his return in good to soft ground and followed up last month, having travelled very sweetly, in landing the Group 2 Duke Of York on quicker ground, holding Suedios by half a length, with Twilight Son back in fifth and Mattmu eighth.

He received weight from his older rival Twilight Son that day and had the fast ground in his favour, but they meet in level terms and while Henry Candy’s stable has not been firing as it can, the form may well be reversed, particularly as he relishes cut underfoot.

The Tin Man is pitched into top company having landed a Listed Windsor sprint in fine style on his return to action last month, having previously been fourth in the Champions Sprint here last October. He is lightly raced, open to plenty of improvement and if he can be dropped in and settled, will likely be a major player in ground that should be ideal. James Fanshawe’s representative rates the biggest danger to the selection in our eyes.

Gold-Fun provides interest from Hong Kong but he has yet to race on anything softer than good ground in a career that has seen 11 wins from 30 starts.

Godolphin are represented with South African sprinter Holler, who won the Grade 1 Canterbury Stakes on fast turf at Randwick in March (7f), before only just failing to follow-up in the Grade 1 6f William Reed Stakes at Moonee Valley. Sheikh Mohammed’s operation also saddle Jungle Cat, who was fourth here to Profitable in the King’s Stand on Tuesday.

5.00 Wokingham Handicap 6f

FORECAST: Brando (6/1), Outback Traveller (7/1), Flash Fire (12/1), Huntsmans Close (14/1), Mr Lupton (14/1), Mutawathea (14/1), Spring Loaded (14/1), Toofi (14/1), Buckstay (16/1), George Dryden (16/1), Ninjago (16/1), Absolutely So (20/1), Dinkum Diamond (20/1), Glen Moss (20/1), Interception (20/1), Jack Dexter (20/1), Shared Equity (20/1), The Happy Prince (20/1), Accession (25/1), Ashpan Sam (25/1), B Fifty Two (25/1), Majestic Moon (25/1), Salateen (25/1), Tatlisu (25/1), Tupi (25/1), Boom The Groom (33/1), Burnt Sugar (33/1), Coulsty (33/1), Humidor (33/1), Poyle Vinnie (33/1), Stepper Point (50/1)

HISTORY: The inaugural Wokingham took place in 1813, making it the oldest of the handicaps still run at Royal Ascot. The famous sprint is named after the market town seven miles from the Royal course. The attraction of a handicap as a betting medium was a prime reason for the Wokingham’s initial success. Pointers, the first winner, was owned by the Duke of York. The ‘Grand Old’ one.

David Lanigan enjoyed a first winner at the Royal meeting in 2015 when Interception scythed through the pack under George Baker to score by a length and a quarter.

Those near the top of the betting market have tended to come out on top in the last few years: no fewer than nine of the past 13 winners returned 10/1 or shorter, although there have been just four winning favourites in the last 29 renewals.

ANALYSIS: Pins at the ready. No less than 28 runners are set to line up for this ultra-competitive sprint.

The draw usually favours those on either rail and few winners have come from the middle draw over the past few years.

Brando was a fine second to Duke Of Firenze at York (Toofi held in 10th), having taken three of his previous four. He ran off a mark of 97 there and but for a rail draw, may have won. Up another 4lb here, on a vastly different surface and drawn 11, there is enough against him to look elsewhere.

Spring Loaded has won five of his last six for Paul D’Arcy including last time at Kempton on the all-weather surface – his fourth C&D success. That was in March and his trainer has not run him since, protecting his handicap mark for this race, although he has been raised 5lb for that. His draw is not ideal in stall 14, however.

Several of those who lined up in the 7f Victoria Cup here last month lock horns again. Flash Fire beat Mutawathea by three-quarters of a length, with Buckstay (3rd), Dinkum Diamond (4th), Majestic Moon (9th), OUTBACK TRAVELLER (13th) and Accession (14th). The trip and ground conditions will be much different today, so the form should not be treated literally.

Flash Fire was much the best and idling towards the finish, but he would prefer a faster surface and the Bunbury Cup might be a better target. The draw is not ideal in 16, either. The runner-up was returning to turf, having spent much of the last year on all-weather surfaces without scoring. He would perhaps prefer the ground a little quicker but is in the hands of Simon Crisford so improvement may well be found.

Outback Traveller is more interesting. He was having only his second start for Robert Cowell’s yard and travelled well before fading. He showed plenty of speed for a horse that primarily has done his racing over 7f, but should handle the ground and his draw (28) means there will be few excuses.

Dinkum Diamond could be a lively outsider were it not for his draw (13). Henry Candy does so well with his sprinters, although at the age of eight, he may find that one or two younger rivals have his measure.

George Dryden would be very interesting on a sounder surface, but is passed over this time, despite a favourable draw.

Buckstay has a favourable rail draw (1), was fifth in the Ayr Gold Cup last September and may find this just on the sharp side, although may be doing his best work late.

Given that she has black type, it is interesting that connections of last year’s winner Interception kept her in training as a six-year-old. She has to run off a mark 5lb higher than when scoring last year, but she will be staying on late and is not without hope.

5.35 Queen Alexandra Stakes 2m5f 159y

FORECAST: Oriental Fox (9/2), Amour de Nuit (6/1), Clondaw Warrior (6/1), Commissioned (10/1), Pinzolo (10/1), Sandro Botticelli (10/1), Frosty Berry (12/1), Grumeti (12/1), Magic Circle (12/1), Simenon (12/1), First Mohican (16/1), Tommy Docc (16/1), The Minch (20/1), Cayirli (25/1), Havisham (33/1), Seaside Sizzler (33/1), Sureness (33/1), Wordiness (33/1), Agenor (50/1), Shades of Silver (50/1)

HISTORY: The final race of Royal Ascot is also the longest race of the week. It also remains the longest flat race on the racing calendar and is open to four year olds and upwards.

The race was established in 1864 and has had various names until 1931 when the present title was given to the race. It is run as a class 2 contest, although many entries turn up having previously ran in Listed or Group class, the reason for this being the extreme nature of the trip and, of course, owners have a chance of a prestigious Royal Ascot winner. The prize money on £49,800 to the winner is not to be sneezed at, either.

ANALYSIS: While only five favourites have prevailed this century, this is not a bad race for punters, as nine of the last 10 winners were priced 8/1 or shorter. No fewer than 20 runners are set to line up.

Willie Mullins has saddled two of the last four winners and relies upon Clondaw Warrior, who was third in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr last time, and Simenon, who won this race five years ago. The former also won the Ascot Stakes and was a fine second in the Lonsdale Cup at Doncaster last season. He won’t mind the easy ground.

Last year’s winner Oriental Fox remained in good form thereafter without winning. Second in a Longchamp Group 2 and runner-up in the Cesarewitch, he shoulders top weight but may have preferred the ground a bit quicker.

Sir Mark Prescott saddles AMOUR DU NUIT, who did nothing but progress last season and he made all to win at Chelmsford on his return to action. He held a Gold Cup entry and will appreciate this trip. The easy ground may not play to his strengths, however, but a chance is take on him nonetheless.

Commissioned has been running over hurdles and was last seen when not beaten far in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival for John Ferguson. He is now in the hands of Gordon Elliott and is the ride of Adam Kirby, who has had such a momentous week. The six-year-old is nicely weighted and not without a chance.

Magic Circle ended last season completing a hat-trick with a win over 2m at Haydock and has had one run this year to blow the cobwebs away.

Sandro Botticelli has run well in Group 3 races behind Dartmouth and Mizzou since winning at Doncaster on his debut for John Ryan, so should also be a major player over a trip that will be right up his street.

LUCKY 15 SELECTIONS

EAGLE TOP (Royal Ascot 3.40, NAP)

AMOUR DU NUIT (Royal Ascot 5.35, nb)

LADY MACAPA (Newmarket 4.40)

FUTOON (Haydock, 7.35)

OTHER SELECTIONS

NEWMARKET: 1.40 Farook, 2.10 Atalan, 2.45 Rostova, 3.20 Trenches, 4.00 Great Order, 4.40 Lady Macapa, 5.20 Jordan Sport, 5.55 Gunmental

AYR: 1.50 Miss Infinity, 2.20 Doubly Motivated, 2.55 Lat Hawill, 3.30 Central Square, 4.10 Olivia Fallow, 4.50 Classy Anne, 5.25 Dark Defender

REDCAR: 1.35 Morning Suit, 2.05 Politbureau, 2.40 Nonagon, 3.15 Beardwood, 3.50 Midnight Malibu, 4.30 Smart Mover, 5.10 Coronation Day, 5.50 La Asomada

HAYDOCK PARK: 6.30 Mujazif, 7.00 Queen Celeste, 7.35 Futoon, 8.05 Moonlightnavigator, 8.35 Rosamaria, 9.05 Jetstream Express

LINGFIELD PARK: 5.45 Clock On Tom, 6.15 Mercy Me, 6.45 Vale Of Iron, 7.20 Bridal March, 7.50 Straits Of Malacca, 8.20 Gravity Flow, 8.50 Just Glamorous

DOWN ROYAL: 2.15 Sheisdiesel, 2.50 Lady Mega, 3.25 Belezza Oscura, 3.55 Oor Jock, 4.35 Leiutenant General, 5.05 Remarkable Lady, 5.40 Rainfall Radar, 6.10 Ex Patriot

GOWRAN PARK: 1.30 Macbride, 2.00 Buyer Beware, 2.35 Icelip, 3.10 Genestra, 3.45 El Vasco, 4.15 Steamboat Bill, 4.45 Important Moment.

Bet via Bet4Causes, where 20% of net revenue goes to sporting charities, who include Greatwood, World Horse Welfare and StreetGames.

You must be 18+ in order to bet. Please gamble responsibly http://www.gambleaware.co.uk