The 2019 Royal Ascot meeting is fast approaching and will be taking place between Tuesday 18th and Saturday 22nd June. Horses will be travelling over from around the world to contest for record prize money, in what is one the greatest weeks in sport. There looks to be a number of horses heading in with strong chances. Here we cover the bankers for the Royal meeting.
Battaash
The Charlie Hills trained five year old sprinter is heading for the Kings Stand on the first day of the meeting. He is looking to go one better than last year, when he was overhauled by Blue Point inside the final furlong. The winner will again be in the race and has been in flying form this season at Meydan. Battaash on his day is without a doubt the most talented sprinter in training, and has on numerous occasions put in some staggering performances, such as in the 2017 running of the Prix de L’Abbaye at Chantilly. He ran away from a high class field to win by four lengths.
He finished last season in poor form which is why he has been around 6/1 for the Royal Ascot contest ante post. Despite this he has proved a popular selection amongst punters using tips for roulette offers that are available. However, there were reports he was in flying form this season following a wind op and we could see a completely different horse. He returned recently in the Temple Stakes and put in a stunning performance to win by just over two lengths, in which he barely had to be pushed out. If he can now back this up at Ascot then he is going to take the world of beating and is as low as 7/4 for the race following this classy performance.
🚀When #Battaash is on song there is very little his rivals can do to stop him.
▪️ Kachy lost little in defeat 👏🏻
▪️ Mabs Cross Just couldn’t get there
▪️ Alpha Delphini ran a cracker
▪️ Pocket Dynamo is one to watch— 3 FURLONGS OUT (@3furlongsout) May 26, 2019
Crystal Ocean
The Sir Michael Stoute trained five year old has quickly established himself into one of the current stars of flat racing. The son of Sea the Stars has been a typical Stoute improver but has several options at Ascot. The most likely is the Hardwicke Stakes on the Saturday, a race his trainer has farmed in recent years. If he does take up this race then he is most likely going to go off odds on and possibly the shortest priced favourite of the week.
Crystal Ocean landed the same race last season with ease so rates a solid selection for the race. He has returned this season with two victories including a recent Group 3 victory in the Al Rayyan stakes at Newbury. He is likely to be contesting many top group one races for the rest of the season.
Crystal Ocean is all class on his return to land the bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes once again for Ryan Moore and Sir Michael Stoute at @Sandownpark pic.twitter.com/h3BUCwQg3l
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 26, 2019
