Cracking the Royal Ascot puzzle with David Jennings
Deputy Ireland editor David Jennings takes you through the Royal Ascot card on Friday . . .
Royal Ascot tips: Friday
2.30 Royal Ascot
Albany Stakes, 6f, Group 3
This is an awesome Albany. There is more chance of me becoming a Calvin Klein model than there is of no subsequent Group 1 winners coming out of it, and Carla's Way might be the best of the bunch. The Doncaster maiden she won looked good at the time and it looks even better now given the runner-up won next time by 11 lengths.
DJ's tip: Carla's Way
3.05 Royal Ascot
Commonwealth Cup, 6f, Group 1
Little Big Bear is by far the most likely winner, we all know that, but he's trading around evens in what looks a competitive Commonwealth Cup, which makes no sense to me. Noble Style at 12-1 makes plenty of sense, though. He travelled as well as anything to the two-furlong pole in the 2,000 Guineas. Forget Newbury. Cheekpieces could prove a masterstroke.
DJ's tip: Noble Style
3.40 Royal Ascot
Duke of Edinburgh Stakes, 1m4f
Aimeric won by a neck at Doncaster but he looked vastly superior to his rivals most of the way and he's escaped with only a 4lb penalty. He's unexposed, on the up, has had a wind operation and James Doyle has been booked. What's not to like?
DJ's tip: Aimeric
4.20 Royal Ascot
Coronation Stakes, 1m, Group 1
No Mawj, no problem. Tahiyra is a monster and she'll beat these with her eyes shut. Queen For You will chase her home. Do the forecast. You'll make four or five times your investment. Simple.
DJ's tip: Tahiyra
5.00 Royal Ascot
Sandringham Stakes, 1m
It's a cliché, and I hate saying it, so apologies in advance, but surely Coppice is a Group horse running in a handicap. Robert Havlin is a straight-shooter who doesn't talk nonsense, and I got the impression from him he loved her at Newcastle. I fell in love with her too. A mark of 97? Thank you very much, Mr Handicapper.
DJ's tip: Coppice
5.35 Royal Ascot
King Edward VII Stakes, 1m4f, Group 2
He just wins, doesn't he? Why not? He's had 20 days to recover from the Derby. He'll be fine. He's a better horse than I thought he was before Epsom, that's for sure. He is King Of Steel by the way. He should be odds-on.
DJ's tip: King Of Steel
6.10 Royal Ascot
Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes, 5f
As much as I probably should, it is hard to let Rocket Rodney go. Beaten only a neck by Little Big Bear in last year's Windsor Castle, he's been dropped a staggering 3lb for his York return. He might just be quicker than this lot. He was this time last year anyway.
DJ's tip: Rocket Rodney
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