International Raiders Look Dangerous in the Royal Ascot Sprint Races
  Above: Stephane Wattel trains City Light who runs in the Diamond Jubilee
International Race Fan

International Raiders Look Dangerous in the Royal Ascot Sprint Races

2.30 Ascot, Chesham Stakes

Natalie’s Joy sets quite a high standard in here but I’m willing to chance the French raider On A Session at 14/1. He may have only won a couple of minor races at Lyon Parilly and Angers over 5 and 6 furlongs but he is unexposed and will appreciate this step up to 7 furlongs here.

Recommended bet
On A Session, 14/1

3.40 Ascot, Windsor Castle Stakes

A really competitive affair with 28 runners with several international raiders in contention. Wesley Ward saddles Moonlight Romance, who finished second to Shang Shang Shang on her debut, but improved on that run next time out with a 5 ½ length victory at Belmont. With Shang Shang Shang winning the Norfolk Stakes a couple of days ago here at Ascot, her form looks even better and with the ground conditions to here liking she will be looking to blitz them here; her current odds of 13/2 do look reasonable given her trainers record here.

The two French raiders, Junius Brutus and Rolling King trained by Matthieu Palussiere are really interesting. Junius Brutus has won both his starts impressively by around 5 lengths each time, once on soft and then on good ground so he should have no problems with today’s ground that will be on the firm side. His other runner Rolling King won nicely first time out on good ground but then was beaten next time out when encountering soft ground, and connections were quick to cite the ground not to his liking. He is a big 2-year-old, a January foal and being by the American turf sprinter More Than Ready this quick ground could be what he really wants. At his current price of 33/1 he looks worth chancing that he could put in a bold show here.

Recommended bets
Rolling King 33/1
Moonlight Romance, 13/2

4.20 Ascot, Diamond Jubilee

Wesley Ward’s Bound For Nowhere has run twice in Europe and hasn’t really been competitive, though the quick ground today could help his cause. Australian Sprinters have a great record here and at the price he is at 9/2, he is tempting purely on the record of sprinters from down under, though he doesn’t look as strong as some previous visitors.

City light has improved massively this year and this is another big step having never raced any higher the group 3 company. He has a mountain to climb on the ratings but as a hold-up horse he never wins by far and he could stay on for a place and possibly more if they do go off really quick; with up to 4 places available with some bookies he appeals as an each-way bet.

Last year’s winner, The Tin Man has a great record here and can’t be discounted along with Harry Angel who looks a more than worthy favourite at 3/1.

Recommended bet
City Light, 16/1