Horse Racing
Value Scope: Each way horseracing tips from Steve Jones for Royal Ascot on ITV
Our man thinks he has the key to the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes on day four of the royal meeting in the form of a Johnny Murtagh-trained runner
SAFECRACKER (4.25) has the key to the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes.
Johnny Murtagh’s Irish raider is consistent over this 1m4f distance on decent ground and he should take a big step forward from last month’s comeback run.
He found that 1m2f trip too sharp when a staying-on fifth behind today’s rivals Crystal Black and Deakin at the Curragh.
The return to his best distance will help him reverse that form. Have 2pts each-way at 14-1. A couple of bookies are paying out on six places.
FOREVER BLUE (5.05) has done well to win two of her three starts considering she has been screaming for the step up to a mile.
Her only defeat came in the Group 3 Prestige Fillies Stakes at Goodwood last August when the step up in grade came a little too soon in her career.
She found the 7f trip way too sharp for her on her first race of the season at Haydock last month but she kept grinding away.
Her stamina kicked in close to the finish and she was well on top at the winning line. This big-field handicap should set up perfectly for Ralph Beckett’s filly. Have 2pts each-way at 14-1. Sky Bet is offering a generous eight places with Paddy Power going seven.
Beckett also has claims with MACDUFF (5.40) in the King Edward VII Stakes.
He was disappointing in the Derby but the combination of easy ground and Epsom’s tricky track seemed to count against him.
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Last season’s juvenile form was promising and he was always going to be better as a three-year-old.
He made a decent return to action when runner-up behind Arabian Crown in Sandown’s Classic Trial when his trainer’s horses were generally needing the run.
This nephew of top-class Kingman will love the fast ground and should bounce back to form. Have 1pt each-way at 25-1.
VANTHEMAN (6.15) is very fast and his speed will be a potent weapon in the Palace Of Holyrood House Stakes.
He did well to split two of today’s rivals – Jubilee Walk and Pilgrim – at York last month when his high drawn meant he had to race further towards the stands’ side than ideal.
This race should pan out better for Kevin Ryan’s speedster. Have 1pt each-way at 14-1. Most bookies are going six places with Sky Bet stretching to seven.