Royal Ascot Day 2 Tips – Niall Cronin

Aidan O’Brien closed in on a landmark of 50 winners at Royal Ascot and Jarlath Fahey and his team enjoyed a day they’ll never forget with Jennies Jewel on the opening day of Royal Ascot but day two looks a tricky one for punters.

A Shin Can Be A First
Japan could well be celebrating a first ever Royal Ascot winner after the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes this afternoon as A Shin Hikari goes to war against Aidan O’Brien’s Breeders’ Cup winner Found. Throw in The Grey Gatsby and Western Hymn and despite the fact that there is just six runners in the field it is hugely competitive.

A Shin Hikari has made a big impression so far and warmed up for Royal Ascot with an emphatic victory at Chantilly on testing conditions so he ticks a lot of boxes and although the 4/7 is quite short and it is probably a race for a watching brief rather than to get too heavily involved in.

Moore Joy For Ryan
Ryan Moore’s record of nine winners at this meeting last year is probably not under threat this week but the world’s best jockey does look to have a good chance of another Royal Ascot winner in the Royal Hunt Cup.

Moore links up with Sir Michael Stoute to ride Convey in the one-mile handicap and although the Mick Halford duo of Portage and Hasanour both warrant plenty of respect…

Convey has now been backed into favouritism with BoyleSports and the 10/1 should be snapped up before that is all gone too.

Convey was just denied by the talented Home Of The Brave last time when it looked like a step up in trip was exactly what he’d be looking for and now stepping up to a mile on soft ground should all play into his strengths. He looks to be one of the better bets on the card.

Another First
Tuesday saw Joseph O’Brien with his first runner, Ronan Whelan, Jarlath Fahey, Rab Halvin, Mark Casse and Julien Leparoux all bag their first winners and on Wednesday we might see another first for Willie McCreery.

The Curragh-based trainer sends over Dolce Strega for the Sandringham and on a day when Irish-trained runners may have to fight hard for any success, Dolce Strega looks a filly with a real live chance.

Taking on her own sex and her own age group, she too is stepping up to a mile from seven-furlongs but her versatility on ground has been proven and the extra furlong is unlikely to be a major inconvenience. Anamba would have been the selection on better ground…

but Dolce Strega is a 12/1 shot that is worth considering.

Recommended Bets:
Convey – 5.00 Ascot
Dolce Strega – 5.35 Ascot

*Prices correct at time of publication.