Royal Ascot Day 2 Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Wednesday including 50/1 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes fancy

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Ombudsman set to star on Wednesday

Reigning champion Ombudsman could steal the show once again on a competitive second day at the Royal Meeting as he bids to successfully defend his crown in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes. He faces formidable rivals in the Group One but is the horse to beat and could claim another Ascot success in an exciting renewal of the mile-and-a-quarter race.

The fillies and mares have their chance to shine in the Queen Mary Stakes and Duke Of Cambridge Stakes, while future star stayers take the stage in the Queen's Vase, plus as a number of intriguing handicaps make for another thrilling day of action.

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Queen Mary Stakes, 14:30, Royal Ascot - Back Velozee E/W @ 20/121.00

Paddy Twomey-trained Velozee could be capable of outrunning her odds in Wednesday's opener under Billy Lee. She won both of her first two starts at Cork and Curragh respectively, including a Listed contest when she beat What A Girl Wants, a previous third to Star Prospect, by a convincing three-and-a-half-lengths.

Some talented juveniles have tasted success in that Listed contest in the past, including Blackbeat and Whistlejacket, as well as Lady Iman last year, and Velozee, despite suffering her first defeat when last seen, could be able to show further progression upped in Grade.

Upped to 6f in Group Three company at Naas last month, the daughter of Sioux Nation managed only fourth behind Victorious. She's didn't give her true running on that occasion and it may be worth keeping the faith in her over this proven 5f trip.

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Queen's Vase, 15:05, Royal Ascot - Back Del Maro E/W @ 11/112.00

Camelot colt Del Maro could show plenty of further improvement for the step up to a mile-and-three-quarters in this competitive Group Two. He's out of Group One German Oaks winner Diamanta, a daughter of Maxios and half-sister to two-mile Listed winner Diamantis as well as mile-and-three-quarter Listed-winning Diamant.

His half-sister Diya is also a Listed winner and there could be plenty more to come from this colt who was just touched off at Listed level over 1m3f recently, and finished third to Pierre Bonnard in a Newmarket Group Three as a juvenile. He was also second to Maltese Cross in a maiden, beaten only a head, and there's plenty of substance to his form over shorter distances. 

Having already shown class and, with the scope for further improvement, it could be worth keeping faith with the Charlie Appleby-trained colt who makes each-way appeal under William Buick.

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Duke Of Cambridge Stakes, 15:40, Royal Ascot - Back Falakeyah E/W @ 12/113.00

More has been expected from New Bay filly Falakeyah in recent outings, but she hasn't quite shown the same level of form as when winning a Listed contest at Newmarket early last season. She was sent off at odds of 5/23.50 for the Coronation Stakes at this meeting last year, but was too keen on the front end with her finishing effort petering out.

Sent off once again at odds of 5/23.50 as favorite on reappearance in the Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket, Falakeyah was well beaten having attempted to make all. It may be a run worth forgiving in her first outing for 205 days, and if able to settle better with some cover, she could be capable of a much improved performance.

This is only her sixth career start and there should be more to come from the four-year-old, who is well-bred from a family that has also produced the superstar Baaeed and his talented siblings. The best could be yet to come from the Owen Burrows-trained filly, and, at double-figure odds, she warrants each-way consideration under Tom Marquand.

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Duke Of Cambridge Stakes, 15:40, Royal Ascot - Back Dash Of Azure E/W @ 50/151.00

At a bigger price, four-year-old filly Dash Of Azure could outrun her odds under Rossa Ryan in her 12th career start. She wasn't able to make any impression on reappearance at Lingfield, but is entitled to improve for the outing and could shape better this time.

This is a significant step up in Grade for the daughter of Blue Point, but she has shown snippets of good form against black-type fillies and beat Bellarchi, who is now rated 19lb higher on 101, to record her latest win at Thirsk.

At this meeting last year, the Ralph Beckett-trained contender finished fifth in the Sandringham Stakes to Never Let Go when just over a length behind third-placed Tabiti, a subsequent Group Three winner.

These are much deeper waters but she could be capable of showing further improvement and shouldn't be ruled out, still unexposed over the mile and in Stakes company.

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Prince Of Wales's Stakes, 16:20, Royal Ascot - Back Ombudsman @ 5/42.25

Three-time Group One winner Ombudsman should prove tough to beat as he bids to retain his crown in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes for John and Thady Gosden.

Winner of the Juddmonte International last year, before landing the Dubai Turn in March, the five-year-old made a promising return to British soil with a narrow success over Gethin at Sandown and should take a considerable step forward for that outing. He's a top class performer with proven form in this race and suited by conditions.

While he faces stiff opposition in the form of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe first and second, Daryz and Minnie Hauk, as well as Almaqam and others, Ombudsman is the proven champion and the one to beat. There's plenty in his favour and he makes the most appeal under William Buick.

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BET OF THE DAY: Royal Hunt Cup, 17:00, Royal Ascot - Back Holloway Boy E/W @ 12/113.00

Top weight Holloway Boy has Jack Nicholls easing his burden at the weights by 5lb as he attempts to go a few places better than when a good fifth in this race two years ago. The Royal Ascot winner was previously successful at this meeting as a juvenile, defying odds of 40/141.00 to win the Chesham Stakes on debut in a memorable performance.

Whilst he has won only twice since, at Group Three and Listed level respectively, he has often held his own in tough, competitive handicaps from a high weight, as well as at Stakes-level against some top class rivals. He was just denied a Group Two success by the talented Poker Face in Meydan last year, before finishing third to Romantic Warrior in a Group One contest.

On British Champions Day, Holloway Boy was narrowly beaten by Crown Of Oaks when rated 110 in the 20-runner field, and has since put in creditable efforts internationally including at Group One level behind Opera Ballo.

His return to action at this venue last month was promising, when chasing home Jonquil, and he should be in great condition for this challenge despite carrying a hefty weight. He has proven he is able to compete in tricky handicaps from a similar mark in the past and should put in another creditable effort for Karl Burke.

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Royal Hunt Cup, 17:00, Royal Ascot - Back No Retreat E/W @ 33/134.00

Five-year-old gelding No Retreat is an interesting contender on his return to action following a 123-day absence. He's still relatively unexposed in his 14th career start and has appeared to still be on an upward trajectory so far this year, winning twice in Bahrain in January having been denied a length at Listed level there in December.

Now on a career-high mark of 107, he's 20lb higher than his previous handicap win but has progressed since then and could be capable of holding his own in this contest. He has plenty of speed on his day, as well as some valuable experience which should hold him in good stead, and he could take another step forward under Billy Loughnane on his British return.

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Kensingston Palace Stakes, 17:35, Royal Ascot - Back Perfect Part E/W @ 50/151.00

From a mark of 86, Perfect Part is an interesting contender for Brian Ellison. She is still seeking a first win since her shock 125/1126.00 victory on debut, but has since shown a good level of ability on occasion, including in Stakes company behind the likes of Celandine and Spycatcher.

In handicaps, she has often been luckless but has been able to be competitive from a higher rating and has returned to some form lately despite running at a lower level.

The four-year-old filly has shown she can compete in tougher races in the past, therefore whilst this is a hugely competitive handicap, she is far from a forlorn hope at a big price.

The daughter of Mehmas is capable of outrunning her odds if on a going day and enjoying a favourable trip, and is one to consider each-way under Cam Hardie.

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Windsor Castle Stakes, 18:10, Royal Ascot - Back Dance A Jig E/W @ 20/121.00

In the finale on Wednesday, the Windsor Castle Stakes for the juveniles, Ralph Beckett-trained Dance A Jig is an interesting maiden making his third start. Despite being yet to get off the mark, he has run well twice behind A Bear Affair and Adaay Of Scarlett, narrowly beaten on both occasions, including over 5f here and previously in the Brocklesby Stakes.

The Naval Crown colt steps up to 6f for the first time and is entitled to keep on improving as he has gained some valuable experience in two starts to date but remains unexposed. He's out of Strictly Dancing, a 6f winner with form over 7f, who has also produced Group Three winners in Dancing Star and Foxtrot Lady, as well as progressive filly Dance In The Storm, who won at Chester last month.

His maternal grand-dam is Nunthorpe Stakes winner Lochangel, therefore there's plenty of speed in the pedigree as well as class being from the family of dual Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp and Nunthorpe winner Lochsong.

Dance A Jig may show significant improvement in this contest and shouldn't be discounted at a price. He has shaped with promise in two starts to date and it may be worth keeping the faith.

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Katie Midwinter's Day 2 Royal Ascot double

Back Del Maro (15.05 Royal Ascot) and Holloway Boy (17.00 Royal Ascot) in an each-way double

Betfair is offering Bet £10 Get £10 on Racing Multis, and the multi that makes the most appeal on Wednesday is an each-way double including Del Maro in the Queen's Vase and Holloway Boy in the Royal Hunt Cup.

Camelot colt Del Maro should be suited by the step up in trip and remains open to further improvement, whilst Holloway Boy is a consistent performer with a huge amount of valuable experience in his favour, as well as being a previous Royal Ascot winner.

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Now read more Royal Ascot tips here!

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