I have trawled through the tipster columns, form guides and podcasts to bring you my best value Back and Lay exchange bets for tomorrow’s racing at Royal Ascot. Here are the first three.
2.30PM – Queen Anne Stakes (1m, 4+ year olds)
Featuring the highest rated horse in the world, it’s hard to make a case for any of the other six runners in this field. Matt Chapman, writing on the PaddyPower app advises using Baaeed for other doubles and trebles.
Racing Post staff, on the Punting Club news page, refuse to take-on the best miler in the world. Owen Goulding (of the Punting Club) appears to be heeding Matt Chapman’s advice and will hunt “some forecast or each-way value” elsewhere.
Sporting Life’s preview and best bets agree that “he’s very hard to oppose in a race of similar quality” to the Lockinge. Real World is tipped to follow the selection home with Order of Australia picked to be the best of the others.
Having seen Baaeed win in style at Newbury, I can’t see this one being beaten at Ascot. At 1/5 on the book – nobody’s getting rich backing Baaeed tomorrow.
Exchange Tips (win only market): BACK: N/A LAY: Real World <7.4
3.05 – Coventry Stakes (6f, Group 2 -Upcoming)
Blackbeard is being hotly tipped for the Coventry Stakes – but not by Matt Chapman. Chapman fancies Bradsell in this race for upcoming juveniles. Bradsell is described by Chapman as “an absolute monster” when winning at York for Archie Watson on debut. Hollie Doyle rides.
The Sporting Life pick is Aidan Obrien’s Blackbeard who finished strongly at the Curragh two weeks ago in the Marble Hill Stakes. With Ryan Moore on board, Blackbeard gets the vote for Sporting Life ahead of Kevin Blake’s pick, Persian Force.
Blake, on the Betfair app, argued a strong case for the Richard Hannon-trained Persian Force. He pointed to two races, the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster back in March when well-backed, Persian Force “didn’t disappoint, streaking clear of his rivals in the final furlong to record an impressive 4 3/4 lengths victory.” At Newbury, in a conditions race he saw of Holguin in another impressive performance.
It’s difficult to argue with Kevin Blake’s logic but I like the look of Bradsell and will be looking to back at >7.6 on the exchanges. I’m willing to oppose Blackbeard at anything <4.2.
Exchange Tips (win only market): BACK: Bradsell >7.6 LAY: Blackbeard <4.2
3.40 King’s Stand Stakes (5f, Group 1, Class 1 – Upcoming)
This is an intriguing race with Golden Pal being opposed by two of the three ‘Punting Club’ tipsters. Maddy Playle and Owen Goulding are happy to take on the selection whose only Group 1 win came around a turn at Del Mar. Playle cites “bucketloads of pace in the [race] as Nature Strip, Winter Power, Ponntos and Khaadem all like to go forward” and points to a disappointing race in the Nunthorpe alongside being “mowed down over this course and distance in 2020” as reason enough to go against Golden Pal.
The Sporting Life disagrees, believing that Wesley Ward’s US colt is “well worth another chance to prove himself a top sprinter on these shores” highlighting that Golden Pal is unbeaten since the disappointment in last season’s Nunthorpe. Nature Strip looks likely to challenge Golden Pal for favouritism.
There are question marks around Golden Pal but I am not convinced enough to oppose this one. I will be taking on Man of Promise at <11.5 and looking for some value to back King’s Lynn in the Queen’s colours at >15.5. Look out for the fast finishing Existent who might just get a place.
Exchange Tips (win only market): BACK: King’s Lynn >15.5 LAY: Man of Promise <11.5