Royal Ascot Betting: Sakhees Secret the jolly on final day

Royal Ascot / Andrew Hughes / 20 June 2008 / Leave a Comment

Andrew Hughes previews the fifth day of Royal Ascot as the festival draws to a close

As the royal party arrive in their carriages for the last day, it's worth remembering that the association of monarchy with the meeting runs deeper than a show of pageantry and the chance for her Majesty to get a few bets on. Nearly 300 years ago, another British monarch stopped her carriage on the way across an unremarkable stretch of Berkshire heath and declared that this would be a splendid place to hold a race meeting. In between following all today's glittering racing action, don't forget to raise a glass to the redoubtable Queen Anne, without whom there would be no Ascot and no Royal meeting.


2:30 - Chesham Stakes

An intriguing little Listed contest limited to two-year-olds who's sires won over a mile and a quarter. Seven furlongs at Ascot is a real stamina test for these young horses and you need to bear that in mind when making your selection.


3:05 - Hardwicke Stakes

A Group Two framed with the best of the older stayers in mind, this attracts small but select fields and with plenty of good quality form on show, is a great betting medium. The Coronation Cup at Epsom can be a helpful guide.


3:45 - Golden Jubilee Stakes

Formerly the Cork and Orrery, this is the meeting's most valuable sprint contest and an extraordinarily competitive betting heat. Some horses attempt to take in this race after a tilt at the Kings Stand earlier in the week, but bear in mind that the extra furlong here can catch out those who don't genuinely stay six furlongs. Old stager Takeover Target is a regular here and is available at [6.0] but antepost favourite is Hughie Morrison's winner of the Palace House Stakes, Sakhee's Secret [5.2]


4:25 - Wokingham Stakes

Run over the same distance as the Golden Jubilee, this is the oldest handicap of the week and one of its most enduring attractions. The last big-field cavalry charge of the meeting, the betting action will be frenetic and a tight finish is more thant likely. The antepost market indicates a wide open race with current favourite Intrepid Jack available at a very tempting [11.0]


5:00 - Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes

The last handicap of the meeting is appropriately a fiercely competitive one. Run over a mile and half, it has produced some big priced winners and punters should also bear in mind the good record of younger horses.


5:35 - Queen Alexandra Stakes

The final race of Royal Ascot is unique. At just short of two and three quarter miles, it is the longest British flat race of the season. Very few horses stay that far and form in one of the other big staying races here, the Gold Cup or Ascot Stakes, is a useful indication of the ability to see out the distance. It may be only a Class 2 but a Class 2 at Royal Ascot is better than you'll find elsewhere and this race represents a strongly contested and high quality conclusion to the week's action.