The Irish horse racing broadcaster picks out his best bets for the second day of the Royal Ascot meeting.
15:45
Last year’s winner ROGUE MILENNIUM
100/30
should prove very tough to beat in her follow-up attempt. Placed at the highest level in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown later in 2023, the Dubawi filly changed hands for 1.65m guineas in December and her new owners will be keen for her to gain a Group 1 breakthrough before her racing days are over. However this looks a great opportunity for her to regain the winning thread first, having made a perfectly satisfactory start for new trainer Joseph O’Brien when fourth at the Curragh last month. Repeatedly denied a clear run at a crucial stage, she appeared to finish with plenty of running left and should now be able to turn the tables on her conqueror Ocean Jewel, who must shoulder a 3lb penallty for that success.
17:40
On what could be a big day for Joseph O’Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle, KARSAVINA
22/1
is another interesting contender for the trainer/jockey combination in the Kensington Palace Stakes. Like Rogue Milennium, this filly made her debut for her new connections on Irish Guineas weekend at the Curragh and it was an effort that promised plenty. Slowly into stride, she also met trouble in running when trying to make ground down the inside and in the circumstances it was a highly creditable effort to be beaten just 3 1/4 lengths by State Actor. That should have left her spot-on for today’s assignment.
18:15
CELTIC CHIEFTAIN
15/2
thrust himself into the Ascot picture when making a winning debut at Navan just eleven days ago and it is surely significant that the Ballydoyle camp are turning him out again so quickly when they also have the favourite for this in Treasure Isle. The market pecking order is based largely on jockey bookings, but it might be unwise to read too much into those as Wayne Lordan rode this No Nay Never colt on that occasion whereas Ryan Moore has been on board Treasure Isle in both his starts. In overcoming his inexperience to get the better of the strongly-fancied Red Evolution, who had run very well in a hot maiden at the Curragh previously, my selection looked a seriously exciting prospect and there should be plenty of improvement in him.
Visit Betway’s horse racing betting page.
