SOUSA’S DE MAN FOR JOB

ASCOT’S opening day is always hard work for the bookies, with the punters having had the best of things in recent years thanks to numerous favourites obliging.

Therefore, lovers of big-priced winners may need to wait for the closing Wolferton Stakes (5.35).

Previously run on the Saturday card, it popped up on the first day last year when 25-1 shot Snoano came home.

The chief stats to find the likely winner are: Four-year-olds. One to three runs this season.

Winner of three or more races.

We have three qualifiers in the shape of Monarchs

Glen, Euginio and Laraaib. But EUGINIO looks the best bet of the three.

Richard Hannon has booked the best jockey riding full-time in Britain — the underrated Silvestre De Sousa (right) — and has put a pair of blinkers on the four-year-old who will be fit following two warm-ups.

He will likely be ridden on the heels of the leaders — ideal tactics on the round course here – and his wide draw means he will be clear of the early scrimmaging. Have 2pts ew at 33-1 with Paddy Power.

The Ascot Stakes (5.00) is a staple race of the first day for which these trends apply:

Had at least one previous run on the Flat this season.

A previous Flat winner over at least two miles. Trained by a jump trainer. After dissecting the stats, the Chester race in which LOOK MY WAY (above) beat Coeur De Lion by a neck, looks the best form on offer. John Quinn’s tough four-year-old is big value to confirm the neck victory on 1lb worse terms with Paddy Power, so have 2pts ew at 18-1.