Sport

Weekend Betting Tips: Sharestan in good shape for Royal Ascot

Our tipster Karl Hedley tells you where to put your money this weekend

SATURDAY

ROYAL ASCOT

3-05 DUKE OF EDINBURGH STAKES (HANDICAP) – 1 M 4 F

Eliodor likes it around this track and made an encouraging reappearance over this course and distance last time out. He showed improved form to get placed behind Gatewood in listed company and a repeat of that effort should be good enough to see him go very close here. William Twiston – Davies claims a valuable three pounds and that could make all the difference in a race as competitive as this.

Arab Spring has been progressing well this season for Sir Michael Stoute. He has won his last three races with the minimum of fuss and has been allocated topweight here as a result. Ryan Moore takes the reigns once again and from a double figure draw he should prove the biggest threat.

Groundbreaking was a convincing winner in lesser company at Newmarket last time when outclassing his rivals by no fewer than seven lengths. He deserves this rise in grade and it is unlikely that we have fully seen what he is capable of. Hamelin was beaten in a lesser grade last time out and looks out of his depth in this company.

Eliodor has a decent draw and the trip and ground both suit. Mick Channon’s horses are starting to come good now and Eliodor ought to be right in the mix here.

3-45 HARDWICKE STAKES (GROUP 2) – 1 M 4 F

Sharestan has never finished out of the frame in his twelve race career and comes here with fitness on his side. He was last seen beating the talented Sheikhzayedroad at Sandown in a three runner race and that should have left him in good shape for this. Saeed Bin Suroor has won this race twice before with the likes of Doyen and Predappio and this unexposed six year old has to have solid claims.

Pethers Moon is locally trained and the Hannon team have been sending out winner after winner in recent weeks. He has proven form at this level and he looks a big danger to Sharestan. The consistent Forgotten Voice found Mount Athos too strong in lesser company last time and he should find one or two of these too good once again.

Sir Michael Stoute has two runners here in Telescope and Hillstar. Both have proved frustrating to follow and it would take a brave person to predict a win for either. Sharestan seems to go well for a new jockey so the booking of Andrea Atzeni certainly catches the eye. The combination should make a bold bid to give Godolphin a third victory in this particular race.

5-00 WOKINGHAM STAKES (HERITAGE HANDICAP) – 6 FURLONGS

Seeking Magic was only just foiled in the five furlong dash at Epsom a couple of weeks ago and he can set about making amends this afternoon. He will appreciate this return to six furlongs and he gets in off a relatively light weight with Ryan Tate claiming a further three pounds off his back. Seeking Magic looks well drawn in stall thirty and with him being proven on a fast surface he certainly ticks a lot of the right boxes.

Andrew Balding has his yard in blistering form and Born In Bombay won the Brittania here earlier in the week. Today he relies upon Absolutley So and the impressive Oisin Murphy has been booked to ride. The four year old is also well drawn but it is unclear as to how well he will act on this much faster surface. If taking to it the duo look to be a big danger.

Hoof It always warrants respect in these types of races. He often needs things to go his own way though and that doesn’t happen too often. He is back down to his last winning mark and the booking of Kieran Fallon suggests that Mick Easterby expects a bold showing. Seeking Magic really did take the eye at Epsom when beating off some talented handicappers including the likes of Steps. That form looks decent and he has to be high on the shortlist.

5-35 QUEEN ALEXANDRA STAKES – 2 M 5 F

Pique Sous made an adequate seasonal reappearance at The Curragh when beaten by the likes of Thomas Edison and Toe The Line. This step up in trip looks sure to suit the Willie Mullins trained seven year old and Ryan Moore is a notable jockey booking for the yard. Pique Sous is well used to the hustle and bustle of large fields and that experience shall stand him in good stead here.

Number One London improved for a marked step up in trip last time when winning at Goodwood. If adapting to these additional five furlongs he could yet again go very close. William Buick takes over in the saddle from Martin Dwyer and they ought to go well.

Nicky Henderson saddles the unexposed Royal Irish Hussar. If this were a jumps race at Cheltenham he would be a ridiculously skinny price. A four year old has not won this since 2008 and a relative lack of experience of running in competitive flat races will also hinder his chances. Ryan Moore and Willie Mullins combined to win this race with Simenon two seasons ago and it would not be the biggest surprise if they were to do so again with Pique Sous.