The Prince Of Wales's Stakes looks an absolute cracker but I'm really struggling to separate the market principles and it could pay to look elsewhere on day two of the Royal meeting.
Ryan Moore enjoyed a fine treble yesterday and already looks well on his way to landing this week's leading jockeys title. I'm fully anticipating further success from him on day two and it may well come in the shape of Jumbly, who probably deserves to be shorter than she already is in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at 3.40.
She showed some smart form when trained by Harry and Roger Charlton and rounded out her time for the Wiltshire-based yard with a gritty success in the Group 3 Valiant Stakes over this afternoon's course and distance. The daughter of Gleneagles was subsequently sold for a staggering 1,250,000 guineas at the 2022 Tattersalls December Mare Sale and made a pleasing debut when for Joseph O'Brien when runner-up in the Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes at the Curragh in late May.
It was a highly promising stable debut given that the winner was allowed to dictate steady fractions out in front and it's easy to argue Jumbly's effort can be upgraded with Joseph O'Brien's filly the only runner to make up any ground from the rear of the field.
She should come on bundles for that reappearance effort and new connections can start to reap some rewards from her large price tag with Royal Ascot success this afternoon.
Selection: Jumbly – General 11/4
The Royal Hunt Cup is often a fascinating betting heat, and this year looks no exception. The progressive Dunum looks like an interesting contender towards the fore of the market, but I prefer the prospects of Ghaly for Oisin Murphy and Saaeed bin Suroor.
Saaeed bin Suroor landed this contest with subsequent Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes runner-up Real World back in 2021 and although Ghaly has a long way to reach that level at the moment, he certainly fits into the category of being a potential 'group horse in a handicap'.
He always looked to be doing enough when landing a competitive mile Newmarket handicap back in October and the form looks to have stacked up nicely with the second home going on to take out a Goodwood Listed contest recently. Some would be put off by a lengthy break but when it comes to Saeed bin Suroor there really is little to be concerned about.
A mark of 102 is certainly no gimme but he's so lightly-raced for a seven-year-old (eight starts) there could easily be bundles more to come. Stall eight should give three-time champion jockey Oisin Murphy plenty of options and although he's been well-found in the market, I still think there's enough juice in his price at a general 8/1.
Selection: Ghaly – General 8/1
We head back to the opener for our third and final selection. Twenty-six go to post in the Queen Mary and although those at the head of the market all looked impressive on their respective last starts, I do think there's value to be had elsewhere.
Conrad Allen wouldn't have too many first-time-out two-year-old winners that's for sure and I'm convinced his Princess Chizara would be shorter in the market if she was trained by a more fashionable name as such.
The daughter of Cotai Glory showed bundles of early dash when making all the running to score by four-and-a-half lengths at Bath on debut. The runner-up was sent off 2/9 that day having shown a decent level of ability already and connections held him in decent regard.
She looked extremely professional that day at Bath and clocked a really decent time. The drop back to a stiff five furlongs should suit given that the winning debut came over five and a half and, in all truth, the current 28/1 on offer looks a tad insulting.
Selection: Princess Chizara – General 28/1
