Royal Ascot Tips: Dancer can show her rivals a clean pair of heels at 33/1

Best Bet: Duke Of Cambridge Stakes, Ascot, 15.40 - Back Snellen each-way @ 18/119.00

15 (7)

Snellen (Ire)

• J: Mark Zahra
• T: Gavin Patrick Cromwell, Ireland
• F:

If you thought Tuesday's card was tricky, day two goes up a level with 142 declared runners stretched across seven races making life tough for punters.

Siding with horses that have already proved their mettle at this meeting can be a profitable exercise so to that end Snellen makes some appeal at a double figure price on her third excursion to the Royal meeting.

The daughter of Expert Eye made an encouraging return to action in Group 3 company at Leopardstown back in May, looking as though the run would bring her forward for this assignment.

A winner of the Chesham Stakes in 2024, Snellen was a gallant runner-up in the Kensington Palace Stakes last year when overhauled in the last 100 yards by Miss Information and it is interesting that connections engage last year's Queen Anne Stakes winning rider Mark Zahra to partner the five-year-old.

Royal Hunt Cup, Ascot, 17.00 - Back Cerulean Bay each-way @ 22/123.00

7 (22)

Cerulean Bay (Ire)

• J: Daniel Tudhope
• T: David O'Meara
• F:

Pardon the pun, but hunting around for the best place terms and prices is a non-negotiable at this meeting, however the odds sometimes don't justify the extra place that is sometimes on offer and that could be the case with Cerulean Bay.

The figures gurus rated the selection's recent York defeat as the best run of his career and he could be coming into this race on a high for a stable which sent out a timely double at Carlisle on Monday.

The son of New Bay has previously reserved his best track efforts for the round track, but a mile on the straight track looks a suitable test these days and the Sportsbook have looked to duck the five-year-old, pricing him as a 16/117.00 chance to secure a deserved big handicap win.

Royal Hunt Cup, Ascot, 17.00 - Back Checkandchallenge each-way @ 20/121.00

14 (30)

Checkandchallenge

• J: Rossa Ryan
• T: William Knight
• F:

Checkandchallenge has spent most of his career banging his head against a brick wall in pattern races, but connections have wisely taken the handicap route this term and, following a couple of sighters, he could be poised to land his first prize since November 2023.

The seven-year-old hasn't tackled a big field that frequently and, there is a chance given he is habitually slowly away, that he could again be the architect of his own misfortune with a troubled passage being a very live possibility.

However, in the hope that this race splits into groups, I'm hopeful Rossa Ryan, who was reportedly keen to keep the ride following the selection's recent Newbury outing, can find a seam of daylight on the stands' side rail.

It was only four starts ago that Checkandchallenge ran Queen Anne contender Zeus Olympios to four lengths so he clearly retains a good level of form and the handicapper has cut him some slack finally.

Kensington Palace Stakes, Ascot, 17.35 - Back Cheshire Dancer each-way @ 33/134.00

4 (17)

Cheshire Dancer (Ire)

• J: Billy Loughnane
• T: Hugo Palmer
• F:

Three Ascot outings for Cheshire Dancer have yielded form figures of 431 and a recent spin over a trip in excess of her best at Haydockshould put her spot on for a repeat attempt on his prize.

Beaten a length and a quarter by the aforementioned Miss Information in this race 12 months ago, the selection lifted the Valiant Stakes last July on the round track, clocking an excellent speed figure in the process.

Billy Loughnane was in the plate that day and is back in the saddle for the first time since so, with trainer Hugo Palmer sure to have put a huge circle around this race from sometime out, Cheshire Dancer could outrun her odds for Michael Owen and colleagues.

Kensington Palace Stakes, Ascot, 17.35 - Back Muddy Mooy each-way @ 35/136.00

3 (9)

Muddy Mooy (Ire)

• J: Edward Greatrex
• T: Charlie Pike
• F:

Charlie Pike sent out his second career winner at Salisbury (and first on the turf) earlier this weekand it would be some story if Muddy Mooy sprung a shock for the rookie trainer having his first runner at the meeting.

The Hampshire handler has already saddled his first Classic winner courtesy of Newcastle maiden winner Padraig Dawn and, although that ambitious bid was ultimately unsuccessful, the son of Saxon Warrior was far from disgraced and looks set to go for the Jersey Stakes on Saturday.  

Muddy Mooy is not at that level, but she was fourth in this event 12 months ago and ran a blinder on her comeback at Kempton when just three and a half lengths behind Gethin, himself a gallant runner-up to Ombudsman in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown subsequently.

There may be less exposed rivals in opposition here, but the Soldier's Call mare handles the track well and makes some appeal with five places on offer.

My third outsider for the race would be Betty Clover who was only 9/1 to win this race 12 months ago but unfortunately went lame and was pulled up.

I thought she ran a fine race in defeat at Epsom last time and she should appreciate today's better ground and terrain.

Her odds looks a little too big too, but I can't be greedy and have three stabs!

Sam Turner's Royal Ascot Day 2 Double

Back Galiyan (15:05 Royal Ascot) and Ombudsman (16:20 Royal Ascot) in a win double

Betfair is offering Bet £10 Get £10 on Multis, and the multi that makes the most appeal is a double consisting of Chester winner Galiyan in the Queen's Vase and reigning champion Ombudsman in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes. You can read Alan Dudman's Big Race Verdict on the day's feature race here.

Now read more Royal Ascot tips here!