I have trawled through the tipster columns, form guides, blogs and podcasts to bring you my best value Back and Lay exchange bets for Wednesday’s racing at Royal Ascot.
2.30 Queen Mary Stakes (5f, Group 2, Class 1, fillies)
With a field of twenty-plus this is a really open betting heat. According to the MyRacing Mobile App, Dramatised “looked top class at Newmarket and the runner-up has won her next two impressively”. This is my selection for the race too, but the price looks too lean at the moment and I will be looking for >9.2 on the exchanges before I open my padlocked wallet.
Selecting a filly to oppose is quite a challenge here, so if Dramatised is backed in, I might consider opposing her. I’d be looking for <4.2 in that case. If you are willing to take on the liabilities, Funny Money Honey at <28 could be a worthwhile Lay as her form in her four French races does not look good enough here.
Carmela has “excuses for her sole defeat; impressed last time and she could be a lively one.” This looks like an opportunity to back at a large price and I’ll be looking for E-W odds in the region of >45 to be persuaded.
Exchange Tips (win only market): BACK: Dramatised >9.2; Carmella >45.0 LAY: Dramatised <4.2; Funny Money Honey <28
15.05 Ascot – Queen’s Vase (1m 6f, Group 2, Class 1, 3 yrs)
The Queen’s vase is proving challenging for me to find a selection to oppose. In this instance, I would look to oppose Eldar Eldarov, the likely favourite. I’ll be looking to lay this one at <4.4
Anchorage will be the one that I am trying to back on the exchanges although my Back target of >9.2 may prove difficult to get matched.
With the benefit of an allowance, Emotion could be a worthwhile each-way punt. Anything in excess of >40.0 would see me reaching for the mobile.
Exchange Tips (win only market unless stated) Back: Anchorage >9.2, Emotion (e-w) >40.0 Lay: Eldar Eldarov <4.4
Exchange Tips (win only market unless stated) Back: Anchorage >9.2, Emotion (e-w) >40.0 Lay: Eldar Eldarov <4.4
15.40 Ascot Prince of Wales’ Stakes (1m 1f 212y, Group 1, Class 1)
Bay Bridge is running well and should land this, although I do expect the Prince of Wales to be a competitive race. Not many pundits are in disagreement and I’ll be looking to back this at >2.1 if I can.
Shahryar is tipped to be the best of the rest but I think there are enough doubts about this colt to oppose if the price dips to below 4.2. For those willing to risk a little more, laying State of Rest at decimal odds of <7.8 is a good option.
Exchange Tips (win only market unless stated) Back: Bay Bridge >2.1 Lay: Shahryar <4.2, or State of Rest <7.8
16.20 Duke of Cambridge Stakes (1m, Group 2, Fillies and Mares)
The interesting thing about this race is the number of tipsters that are leaving Saffron Beach off their lists. Her additional penalty of 5lb might just be enough to prevent her having this all her own way. Bashkirova is favoured but her price is getting way too short for me to get involved. Like the sheep that I am, I am opposing Saffron Beach and will offer <4.6 to get the folding stuff out.
Mother Earth should get closer to the leaders and this is the filly that I will be aiming to back. Decimal of >6.0 would have me strolling briskly to the ATM.
Exchange Tips (win only market unless stated) Back: Mother Earth >6.0 Lay: Saffron Beach <4.6