LIBERTY HAS THE FREEDOM TO SHINE
IT’S time to take a Liberty with the King’s Stand Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot.
The meeting’s big 5f sprint hands punters a puzzle of whether to stick with champion speedster Battaash, who has drifted to a backable price, or take him on.
Charlie Hills puts his lightning-fast speed down to quick feet and flexible joints.
An injury has seen one of those joints pinned and there has to be a doubt he will be at his best on his first start since.
LIBERTY BEACH (3.40) was third behind Battaash in last year’s King’s Stand. She’s more experienced now and she made a winning return in Haydock’s Temple Stakes in May when she was not as keen as she sometimes was last season.
That bodes well so have 1pt each-way at 10-1 with Betfair paying out on the first five places.
The Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes
traditionally starts Royal Ascot and it might well give Frankie Dettori a flyer at his favourite track on Palace Pier but I can’t help have a few quid on – 100-1 shot POGO (2.30).
He was beaten miles in the Lockinge but he sat way too close to the fast pace. He could easily get his own way out in front this time and his record on fast ground gives him a chance of sneaking into the frame at massive odds. Have 0.5pts each-way.
American raider Kaufymaker is likely to go off favourite for the Coventry Stakes but all of her trainer Wesley Ward’s Royal Ascot two-year-old winners have been over 5f so BERKSHIRE SHADOW (3.05) is much better value. He did really well to make a winning debut after fluffing the start at Newbury and the form has worked out well. The extra furlong will also help so have 1pt each-way at 18-1 with Sky Bet paying out on six places.
The last 11 winners of the Ascot Stakes had all run over hurdles which makes ELYSIAN FLAME (5.00) interesting. He won well at Newbury returned to the Flat and he got no sort of run at Chester last month. Have 1pt each-way at 14-1 with Sky Bet going seven places.
BLUE CAP (5.35) finally put it all together when bolting up at Epsom on Oaks day and the 8-1 on offer for a follow up is too good to miss. Have 2pts to win.