Baaeed bolted up and Nature Strip exploded to victory from the land down under.
Let’s hope we can get more of the same on day two!
14:30 – Group 1 Queen Mary Stakes 5f – 2022 Royal Ascot Day 2
A wide-open race to start off day two of Royal Ascot and it has another international feel to it with American raider Love Reigns topping the market after he 9L win on debut at Keeneland.
But it might well be worth going in with the twice-raced and unbeaten Katey Kontent at around 9/1.
Closely related to the rapid improving El Caballo, KATEY KONTENT knew her job on debut, but it was her performance and time that stood out when winning easily under a penalty at Windsor.
As we know, Clive Cox is a dab hand with sprinters and he could have another top class sprinter on his hands.
15:05 – Group 2 Queens Vase 1m6f – 2022 Royal Ascot Day 2
One that I am willing to give another chance to after the fireworks farce that happened at the Derby is NAHANNI – who didn’t react well to the noise.
He didn’t get much in his favour during the race but prior to that he was three-from-four. Steps up to 1m6f today which looks sure to suit him, at the prices he looks the one to be with.
15:40 – Group 1 Price Of Wales’s Stakes 1m2f – 2022 Royal Ascot Day 2
This should be straight forward for the current favourite, BAY BRIDGE.
Massively impressive in the Brigadier Gerard when taking it by five lengths. Arguably he does not have to improve much for that and should be very hard to beat here.
16:20 – Group 2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes 1m – 2022 Royal Ascot Day 2
BASHKIROVA made up for lost time as a 3yo winning her first three starts before a below par performance at Doncaster in November.
Came back with a good second at Goodwood and then took a big step forward when easily winning the Princess Elizabeth at the Epsom Derby Meeting.
A further step forward will see her with a great chance in a field where there is more questions than answers among the majority of her opposition.
17:00 – Royal Hunt Cup 1m Handicap – 2022 Royal Ascot Day 2
Take your pick…
A 30-strong field takes to the track for the Hunt Cup and how do we approach this? With caution.
I’ll look for good each way prices and the first one is REBEL TERRITORY at 20/1. A very consistent gelding that’s picked up where he left off last season with a win at Sandown, and should have more to offer this season in handicap.
My second selection is TOTALLY CHARMING who comes in here on the back of an eased down win at Epsom. The way he won that day suggest he’s a horse with a lot left to give, and with the assistance of Frankie he should be going close at 12/1.
17:25 – Listed Windsor Castle Stakes 5f – 2022 Royal Ascot Day 2
A horse who I had the pleasure of seeing in the flesh on his debut at the Curragh in April, where he finished 2nd, was LITTLE BIG BEAR.
That form has worked out well already and he then duly bolted up next time out at short odds, but it is the way this son of No Nay Never travels throughout his races makes me believe there is more to come and is worthy 5/2 favourite.
18:10 – Kensington Palace Stakes Handicap – 2022 Royal Ascot Day 2
The final race on day two of Royal Ascot is not an easy one to solve, but there is an interesting runner at 12/1 who is catching my eye, and that is ISOLA ROSSA.
Came back to form with a bang at Lingfield where she conceded first run and looked to be a margin she would not be able to claw back, but she won, and won going away.
Has been hit with a 4lb rise but that should not stop her playing a part in the finish today.
Bet on horse racing at www.hollywoodbets.co.uk or www.hollywoodbets.ie
