Graham Cunningham puts forward his suggested World Pool plays for the fourth day of Royal Ascot 2022 and fancies Cachet to return to winning ways.
Day five beckons and the bookies need a strong finish to Royal Ascot. Fancied horses dominated on Friday as Frankie roared back to the big time on Inspiral and World Pool wagering hit new heights again with huge turnover and exotic bet dividends that left industry equivalents standing. The Aussies are back for Saturday’s feature, with Home Affairs and Artorius heading the market for the Platimum Jubilee Stakes, so let’s see if we can finish on a high note.
Chesham Stakes
Aidan O’Brien is renowned for saving one of his best young prospects for the day five opener and the impeccably ALFRED MUNNINGS looks a Quinella banker after an elegant Leopardstown debut success. The places are up for grabs for a series of lightly-raced alternatives but CRYPTO FORCE and DARK THIRTY look useful prospects and the Johnston pair of FINNS CHARM and LAKOTA SIOUX have more potential than their long prices might suggest.
Verdict
1 ALFRED MUNNINGS as Quinella banker with
3 CRYPTO FORCE
4 DARK THIRTY
6 FINNS CHARM
14 LAKOTA SIOUX
Jersey Stakes
A strong pace looks assured here and the quirky NOBLE TRUTH will face much more pressure than for his runaway Newmarket win, Being gelded might settle his nervy style but it could pay to keep a closer eye on progressive rivals like STAR GIRLS AMAAL and MONAADAH, who have both been thriving from race to race while giving the impression that a stiff seven furlongs like Ascot’s ought to suit them well. DUBAWI LEGENDis hard to assess after his awful Guineas run but is a player if back to his 2021 best, while ALFAILA is on a roll after a handsome Ascot handicap win.
Verdict
15 STAR GIRLS AMAAL
8 MONAADAH
3 ALFAILA
6 DUBAWI LEGEND
Hardwicke Stakes
Keep it simple looks the best policy here as HURRICANE LANE has much the best form in the race and goes unpenalised for three G1 wins that were followed by an excellent third in the Arc. He’s the key horse in all exotic markets but last year’s runner-up BROOME is clearly entitled to be in at the finish again and MOSTADHAF and the quirky but very capable longshot AWAY HE GOES are also worth a mention for anyone seeking to nail the Quinella or Trifecta.
Verdict
3 HURRICANE LANE as Quinella banker with
2 BROOME
6 MOSTADHAF
1 AWAY HE GOES
Platinum Jubilee Stakes
This race is what the World Pool was created for – with a huge field containing stars from all over the world – but Australia started the week with a Nature Strip bang and can finish it in similar fashion if the exceptional young sprinter HOME AFFAIRS brings his A Game to Ascot. Chris Waller’s colt has the form and the temperament to play a huge role under James McDonald but the Quinella is going to be well worth winning given the depth of the opposition. Plenty of Aussie judges seem to fancy fellow raider ARTORIUS but the smooth-travelling Brit hope SACRED looks primed for a good run first time out and the unexposed MINZAAL and GREAT AMBASSADOR are well worth a second look at huge odds in what has all the makings of a superb final day showpiece.
Verdict
13 HOME AFFAIRS
24 SACRED
16 MINZAAL
9 GREAT AMBASSADOR
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