JAAM LOOKS A SWEET BET FOR DUNLOP
TODAY’S Royal Ascot race with the strongest trends is the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (5.35) — so that’s a good place to start.
It’s a contest with a massive age bias and the significant stats to finding our likely winner are: Four or five years old. Winning form over at least a mile and a quarter. Double-figure draw. We are quickly down to a shortlist of Blakeney Point, Crowned Eagle, Thundering Blue, Dash Of Spice and Manjaam from the 19-runner field.
Blakeney Point would be setting a modern-day rating record were he to win but his form doesn’t suggest he’s that good.
Crowned Eagle will be ridden up with the pace, but that is not an ideal tactic here.
Thundering Blue has enjoyed a stellar 11-month period — in which time he’s won four times and risen 24lb in the weights — but is
unproven over this mileand-a-half trip having raced over 10 furlongs.
The pair left each have solid claims and DASH OF SPICE is the likely favourite. He was most impressive at Epsom and will take the beating if acting as well on this quicker ground.
Have 2pts win at 5-1
with Hills and snaffle up some 28-1 (2pts ew) about Ed Dunlop’s MANJAAM, who put in a career best to win a decent race at York last time with Across The Stars in second.
That horse was subsequently third to Dash Of Spice at Epsom so there isn’t that much between the selections.
The Sandringham Stakes (5.00) is for threeyear-old fillies and the boxes that need to be ticked are:
Winner over at least seven furlongs.
One or two runs this season. Drawn in double figures. On the shortlist are Tajaanus, Ganayem, Ceilidhs Dream, Pride’s Gold, Bubble And Squeak and the selection DESERT DIAMOND.
Have 2pts win at 12-1 where you can get it.