2011 Royal Ascot Preview
The 2011 Royal Ascot Meeting once again promises to be the highlight of the flat racing season, as the finest thoroughbreds in the world travel to Ascot Racecourse to compete in a selection of the most prestigious races in English flat racing. As always, the focus will be on the seven Group 1 events that will be run at the event.
Day 1: King's Stand Stakes & St. James's Palace Stakes
Top level 2011 Royal Ascot action gets underway with the running of the Queen Anne Stakes. A top class duel is on the cards in this race as champion filly Goldikova takes on the classy Canford Cliffs in the Royal Meeting's most prestigious 1 mile race.
The Queen Anne Stakes is followed in short order by the 5 furlong King's Stand Stakes. Lay betting is likely to be the way to go for this one, which is likely to overturn the antepost odds and produce another upset winner in the mould of 2009 champion, Scenic Blast. We're therefore tipping the lay bet on antepost favourite Star Witness.
The Group 1 action doesn't stop with the King's Stand Stakes. Next on the card is the St. James's Palace Stakes where Europe's top miler's will be on display. Frankel is the short odds favourite in this race, challenging punters to place a big but risky all-or-nothing back bet on the 2011 Irish 2,000 Guineas winner.
Day 2: Prince of Wales's Stakes
The Prince of Wales's Stakes is the highlight of day two at the 2011 Royal Ascot meeting. This year's race will feature an array of Group 1 winners, including the 2010 Epsom Derby winner, Workforce. He's been substantially overpriced in this race, and looks like he may well have the beating of Kiwi raider, Cox Plate winner, and favourite - So You Think.
Day 3: Ascot Gold Cup
2009 Irish Derby winner, Fame & Glory, has risen to favourite in the 2011 Ascot Gold Cup betting markets. He's never been tested over this distance before, and the 2 mile 4 furlong even is certain to re-arrange the pecking order in this race. Our tip for the Royal Meeting's blue riband event is to go for the lay bet on the antepost favourite..
Day 4: Coronation Stakes
It's the turn of the top 3-year-old fillies in the 2011 Coronation Stakes. Expect to see some familiar faces from the Irish and English 1,000 Guineas in this one. Guineas winners often do well in this race, and it may be worth keeping an eye on 2011 Irish 1,000 Guineas winner, Misty For Me in this race.
Day 5: Golden Jubilee Stakes
The 2011 Royal Ascot Group 1 action draws to a close with Day 5's feature race, the Golden Jubilee Stakes. As a 6 furlong sprint the Golden Jubilee Stakes is infinitely likely to produce an upset, and there's plenty of value to be found for punters willing to put their money on less fancied entries in this classy cavalry charge.
More Ascot Action
There are plenty of other top class races on the menu which we haven't covered in this 2011 Royal Ascot Preview. A host of Group 2 and Group 3 events are on the card for the meeting, each providing excellent Royal Ascot betting opportunities. Join us from the 14th of June on to keep abreast with developments from the greatest flat meeting of them all.
