Timeform UK SmartPlays: Tuesday 18 June

Timeform
17 June 2019

There are three Group 1 races on the first day of Royal Ascot, beginning with the Queen Anne Stakes at 14:30

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Timeform pick out their best back, lay and smart stat bets on Day One of Royal Ascot...

"...he's a strong fancy to turn the tables on Blue Point and come out on top."

Timeform on Battaash

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Battaash - 15:40 Ascot

When he's on a going day, there's no sprinter in Europe that can live with Battaash, and although 2018 was a disappointing year for him, he's returned on a good note so far this term after wind surgery over the winter, winning the Temple Stakes in style at Haydock Park last month. He did too much too soon in this last year, and there's still that lingering worry that the same thing could happen once again, but the manner of his victory last month suggests he's back to his best, and he's a strong fancy to turn the tables on Blue Point and come out on top.

Lay
Phoenix of Spain - 16:20 Ascot

Phoenix of Spain arrives here as the current top dog in the three-year-old miling division, having bounded to success in last month's Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh under a fine front-running ride from Jamie Spencer. He overturned his defeat to Too Darn Hot in last year's Champagne Stakes at Doncaster as a two-year-old fair and square, winning by three lengths, but Too Darn Hot rather unexpectedly took his chance there, after a hard race in the Dante Stakes just 9 days previous. John Gosden has reported his colt to now be back to his best, meaning that Phoenix of Spain perhaps still has something to prove here against that rival, and with the unexposed King of Comedy also taking his chance, there are sufficient doubts to conclude that it looks worth taking the favourite on at around the 2/1 mark.

Smart Stat
Buildmeupbuttercup - 17:00 Ascot

Smart Stat: 4 - W. P. Mullins's number of winners in past 10 runnings

As you would perhaps expect for a handicap over two and a half miles, the Ascot Stakes has somewhat been dominated by National Hunt yards in recent years, and Willie Mullins has a particularly strong record in the race, winning four of the last ten renewals. He relies solely on Buildmeupbuttercup this time around, a useful performer over hurdles. She's yet to win in three starts on the level so far, but it's worth noting that she's yet to take her chance in a race below listed level, and has shown useful form at her peak. Her current mark looks more than workable, and she is fancied to make a bold bid here for her prolific trainer, with the booking of Ryan Moore an obvious bonus.

Check out the Betfair Royal Ascot podcast, where Kieran O'Connor was joined by Joseph O'Brien, Gary O'Brien and Barry Orr to preview the finest five days in the flat racing calendar

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