ROYAL ASCOT 2017. DAY FOUR FRIDAY 23rd JUNE

Friday Weather update -- A good deal of cloud on Friday though all places will probably stay dry. With all the cloud temperatures will be down a little compared to earlier in the week but we still expect a forecast High of 24C

Going -- GOOD TO FIRM

DAY FOUR

Well done to all connected with yesterdays Gold Cup winner Big Orange, a gutsy display hitting the front in the hope straight and fending off the attack by the favourite to win. Hope you finding a few more winners this week, the weather making the selections more difficult to find than it is to get served at the bars ! 

The opening race is at 2:30 it's the ALBANY STAKES a race for 2yo fillies and has a field of 21 runners declared for a 6f dash.

The Irish challenge is always strong and they have plenty here again where CLEMMIE could their best hope with Ryan Moore seeking another win. Richard Hannon's yard always have some strong 2yo inmates so you would want to have a good hard look at NATURAL here and I'd take that one with the American PRINCESS PEGGY against the field. 

2:30 Royal Ascot -- Albany Stakes (6f)
RESULT
1st -- DIFFERENT LEAGUE  20/1
2nd -- ALPHA CENTAURI  2/1F
3rd -- TAKE ME WITH YOU  20/1


The KING EDWARD VII STAKES is next off at 3:05 just the 13 declared 3yos' here. 

Time for the Queen to have a winner, and her colours are carried by CALL TO MIND here a 20/1 shot so possible EW chance. The Godolphin teams have three but the pair I'd side with are BEST OF DAYS and BEST SOLUTION. 

FRANKUUS was one of the first Frankel sons to see a racecourse, while not quite his fathers level has run well in defeat here before, a couple of wins at Haydock Park and 25/1 seems very big to me.  



3:05 Royal Ascot -- King Edward VII Stakes (1m 4f)
RESULT
1st -- PERMIAN  6/1
2nd -- KHALIDI  10/1
3rd -- CRYSTAL OCEAN  9/4F


A relatively new race at 3:40 is the COMMONWEALTH CUP a GROUP 1 race run over 6f for 3yo's. 

A field of 12 declared and it's clear that the unbeaten CARAVAGGIO is the one to beat today, will sure be a short price too so we need to look for a decent each way alternative or at least put this one in some doubles / trebles.

There have been some huge price places this week and at 66/1 VICTORY ANGEL can be another one for us.


3:40 Royal Ascot -- Commonwealth Cup (6f)
RESULT
1st -- CARAVAGGIO  5/6F
2nd -- HARRY ANGEL  11/4
3rd -- BLUE POINT  9/2


At 4:20 it's another fillies event and this time it's around the mile track for 3yo's,THE CORONATION STAKES.

Just the 7 declared for this event, maybe its the threat of WINTER that has scared off most of the opposition. Suppose the alternative win selection is John Gosden's DABYAH who won a Group race at Newbury and also TOMYRIS who steps up in grade but could still run on to place.

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4:20 Royal Ascot -- Coronation Stakes (1m)
RESULT
1st -- WINTER  4/9F
2nd -- ROLY POLY  12/1
3rd -- HYDRANGEA  16/1

Usually the finale on Friday they have moved the timing of this contest back a little and I think that the QUEENS VASE has also had a little taken off the trip as it's 2f short now, the race is due off at 5:00. 

13 runners declared for this test of stamina and the Irish contenders tend to fare well here, so not a shock to see both HARIPOUR and WISCONSIN supported against the field, both should stay the trip and a win/place bet the call. 

5.00 Royal Ascot -- Queens Vase (1m 6f)
RESULT
1st -- STRADIVARIUS  11/2
2nd -- COUNT OCTAVE  8/1
3rd -- SECRET ADVISOR  10/1



Our finale for Friday off at 5:35 is the DUKE OF EDINBURGH stakes over 1m 4f a race that has attracted 20 runners, once we eliminate the reserves.

We of course first of all hope that his Highness recovers from his recent illness that forced him to miss the Queens Speech in the House of Lords earlier this week, though he might have just preferred a lay in and I can't say I blame him.

Onto the race then, worth nearly 50k to the winner, nothing comes here in better form than the three time winner WADIGOR who continues to improve and will be hard to beat. The Queen's MAINSTREAM is very consistent but struggles to win, should go well for a place bet though and the other one to consider is PETITE JACK priced up at 33/1 looks too big to me.  

5.35 Royal Ascot -- Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (1m 4f)
RESULT
1st -- RARE RHYTHM  20/1
2nd -- APPEARED  13/2
3rd -- STAR STORM  14/1
4th -- TOP TUG  8/1


And that's all for Friday, last day tomorrow, hopefully you are doing as well as we are this week despite the heat and headaches.