Royal Ascot is now just three weeks away, with the fields for many of the biggest races coming into greater focus. Matty Sutcliffe has picked out three value punts in advance of the big week, ranging from 14/1-20/1.
Tuesday, 2:30 Ascot – Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Sardinian Warrior 14/1 1pt WIN
The market has this between the first four home in the Lockinge, but the ace in the milers’ pack could lie with SARDINIAN WARRIOR, who proved he was up to this level when just reeled in by Sosie in the Prix d’Ispahan.
The son of Saxon Warrior travelled strongly in his first foray into Group 1 company, and displayed a solid turn of foot to lead with just over a furlong to go, but the two-time Group 1 winner and Arc fourth Sosie just outstayed him in the latter stages. The pair pulled clear from the 118-rated third Horizon Dore, who has rock solid Group 1 form himself, with the 2024 1000 Guineas winner Elmalka back in fourth.
He might not have been to seen to best effect there, whereas a strongly run contest in the Queen Anne Trial over C&D saw him gamely fend off Docklands on seasonal debut (rated 6lbs inferior at the time), with the pair well clear of the third Checkandchallenge, who beaten a marginally shorter distance than Lead Artist in the Lockinge Stakes. That form alone brings Sardinian Warrior into contention here, who’ll undoubtedly be suited by this marginal drop back in with a likely strong pace.
Tuesday, 3:40 Ascot – King Charles III Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (3yo+) – West Acre 16/1 1pt WIN
Having spent the winter in Meydan, few may be familiar with WEST ACRE, whose last start on these shores saw him bolt up six lengths in a Southwell Novice in impressive fashion, and previously finished a neck in front of the now 93 rated So Darn Hot, giving him 7lbs.
The son of Mehmas made a promising debut at Meydan over six furlongs when beaten a head by the 13/8F Symbol Of Honour, whose since won twice over six furlongs back on these shores, latterly the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes and will likely be rated 112 on the back of that. Dark Saffron was five lengths in behind the pair that day and has since franked that form healthily when landing a Group 1 on the dirt over in Meydan, posting an RPR of 114.
West Acre then dropped down to five furlongs for a Group 2 and could hardly have been any more impressive, quickening sharply to fend off the long-time leader Ponntos by three lengths, who was only beaten four lengths in the Nunthorpe last season. He backed that up again over C&D in March to once more reel in Ponntos, with Dark Saffron again in behind.
A foray into Group 1 level back up in trip failed to work out when a non-stayer, but he wasn’t beaten all that far against some hardy sprinters. His form figures over the King Charles III Stakes trip reads 1111, and if transferring that form back across to these shores then he rates a strong contender with his handy 3yo allowance to boot.
Wednesday, 5:00 Ascot – Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo+) – Volterra 20/1 1pt WIN
It’s a slight concern that we haven’t seen VOLTERRA just yet, nor have we heard much about him, but we do know that the plan was to always step him up to pattern races this term and a quick pit stop from a mark of 103 in the Royal Hunt Cup might just be the perfect route. His owners have Rosallion for the Queen Anne so it would be surprising to see him take up that entry and if coming here, I could envisage him going off single figures.
The son of Farhh was a late developer as a two year old, catching the eye from rear in the Convivial Maiden at York before getting up by a neck to win at Redcar on his final start of the season. He was well backed on seasonal debut at Newmarket when making a mockery of his mark of 82 first time out last season, pulling two lengths clear of Skukuza who’s franked that form next time out to land a Newmarket handicap comfortably, before a 3/4L second in the Royal Hunt Cup, finishing that season rated 13lbs higher than his second to Volterra and will no doubt be rated 100+ after his handicap victory at the Curragh on Saturday.
Volterra went off the joint favourite in the Royal Hunt Cup but the low draw curse played its part. He struck the front two furlongs out, but ended up finishing an eight length eleventh, and first in his group of ten. The next horse home in his group was in seventeenth beaten eleven lengths, which demonstrates the bias that day.
There was seemingly no excuses on the July course next time out when weakening late on having made some smart headway (albeit he was without cover on a wing), and he bounced back to form under a more prominent ride at York, just beaten a length after making all with the winner perhaps favoured by his covered up pitch throughout. The form’s worked out nicely in places however, as the winner was beaten two lengths in the Lincoln when favourite for that race next time out, the fourth is now rated 11lbs higher after three wins on the all-weather, the fifth won next time out, the sixth won on her second subsequent start, the seventh is rated 21lbs higher after two subsequent victories, and the eighth is rated 9lbs higher after two subsequent victories, along with multiple other subsequent winners.
Volterra bounced back to form to land the competitive Ascot Challenge Cup when successfully making all on softer going, demonstrating an abundance of talent and stamina. The three length second gave that form a boost when second in listed company next time out before a nose second in the Victoria Cup on seasonal debut, and the sixth won the Balmoral next time out now rated 6lbs higher on 110.
On all subsequent form, a mark of 103 entirely underestimates the capabilities of this colt and I’m expecting him to develop into a 110+ performer throughout the season, with the fresh angle (should he come here) of no concern.
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