Royal Ascot day two tips: Ryan Moore and Luxembourg to reign supreme once again
With little obvious pace on in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh, connections opted to make the running on the son of Camelot and it worked a treat. In this race last year, State Of Rest was able to dictate and this year’s Irish raider can do the same.
That said, connections of last year’s runner-up Bay Bridge, who chased home Luxembourg at the Curragh, will be greatly encouraged that Ascot was hit by heavy rain before the first day of the royal meeting, with nearly 10mm falling in the early hours at the track Tuesday.
The Queen Mary (2.30) is a minefield but Karl Burke won it last year and the omens are good about Beautiful Diamond, who looked really exciting when romping home at Nottingham. The yard’s juveniles have been in superb nick and she has plenty in her favour.
In the Kensington Palace Fillies’ Handicap (3.05), two Irish raiders who were eye-catching recently at Naas are noted. Yerwanthere was just ahead of Villanova Queen then and is marginally preferred – look out for bookies paying up to seven each-way places.
Another Irish-trained filly appeals in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (3.40) under Moore, for all that the bookmakers have not taken chances about her. Jumbly was smart for Roger Charlton last year, winning here, and her Curragh debut for new connections was perfectly satisfactory.
It hardly needs saying but bookmakers will be looking for your custom and then some in a desperately difficult Royal Hunt Cup. The ground complicates matters, the draw perhaps even more, yet the Dettori-ridden Reach For The Moon can be supported each way. He was a raging hot favourite at this meet 12 months ago but seemed not to stay ten furlongs. Perhaps this is more his thing.
The Queen’s Vase (5.35) sees a short-priced Dettori favourite in Gregory. Peking Opera, who holds a couple of these rivals on his tidy Navan win, is preferred under Moore.
They conclude with the Windsor Castle Stakes, which is an absolute cracker. Johannes Brahms looks like he wants further but he is classy and can conclude a superb day for O’Brien and that man Moore despite the presence of American raider Fandom.
