The final action of the opening day of the Ascot 2020 Festival is the Ascot Stakes. This is some Class 2 Handicap action which is open to 4-year-olds and above.
The going is likely to be good and this is a longer trip over a 2m 3f 210y distance. So a bit of staying power is needed for this.
It is a big field to sign off with as well on Tuesday as there are 20 declared for the contest.
Ascot Stakes Odds
Verdana Blue 4/1
Moon King 13/2
Land Of Oz 7/1
Summer Moon 11/1
Diocletian 11/1
Pianissimo 10/1
Dubawi Fifty 12/1
Blue Laureate 12/1
Smart Champion 11/1
Mancini 11/1
Coeur de Lion 14/1
San Benedeto 16/1
Rochester House 22/1
Fair Mountain 25/1
Charlie D 28/1
Quloob 22/1
Ashutor 28/1
Cliffs Of Dooneen 40/1
Yaa Salaam 40/1
Carntop 66/1
* (betting odds taken from Coral at 19:18 GMT on Monday, June 15th 2020)
Horse Racing Betting at Coral
Table of Contents
Verdana Blue sitting at the head of the market
The current 4/1 favourite for the Ascot Stakes is Verdana Blue* (betting odds taken from Coral at 19:18 GMT on Monday, June 15th 2020).
Trained by Nicky Henderson she is a great hurdler but is unexposed in this flat action.
She should benefit from having Ryan Moore in the saddle as she takes on the Ascot Stakes. The eight-year-old has such a great record in the hurdles sphere, it is going to be fascinating to see what she does here.
The last run that Verdana Blue had was over the timbers at Kempton on Boxing Day last year in the Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1). Verdana Blue was fourth on that occasion. She did have a run at Ascot last May when she was fourth in the Sagaro Stakes.
MOON KING
4-year-old MOON KING won his last appearance. That was a 16F handicap at Haydock in early June. So that was a good marker for him and he had beaten Blue Laureate by a head in that.
It has been six wins in his last seven appearances now and considering that recent score was after a 241-day break, he should be in great shape for this one.
Moon King will be making his Ascot bow and is a 13/2 contender* (betting odds taken from Coral at 19:18 GMT on Monday, June 15th 2020).
SMART CHAMPION
SMART CHAMPION has been heading in the right direction, producing his best effort when winning at Newcastle in February. This is a big test of stamina but it doesn’t immediately look to be out of his depth.
He went on a two and a quarter-mile trip at Newmarket in 2019 and was second to Land Of Oz. So he has the distance in him but is among some sharp company in this one. Not a bad option to consider from 11/1 currently* (betting odds taken from Coral at 19:18 GMT on Monday, June 15th 2020)
LAND OF OZ
4-year-old colt LAND OF OZ is an exciting contender in this one. He has won six of his last nine runs, finishing outside of the places in just one of the other three runs in that sequence.
He was last seen in early June after a long break, collecting a second-place at Chelmsford City. It was a good workout over 14f and there is likely even more to come from over this longer trip.
Land of Oz beat Smart Champion into second at Newmarket over 18f last September. We would be keen to keep him on side at 7/1* (betting odds taken from Coral at 19:18 GMT on Monday, June 15th 2020)
PIANISSIMO
PIANISSIMO had a run a Chelmsford City in early June in that race in which Land Of Oz was second. That was after a break and before stepping away, he had scored a hattrick of wins.
He then claimed a second place in an early showing at Kempton in January. Pianissimo had a run at Ascot in the Veolia Novice Stakes in October and was second of five over 12f.
SUMMER MOON
Up there with top weights alongside Verdana Blue is SUMMER MOON. He looks to be a threat in this one. The notable run that he had towards the back end of last year was at the Cesarwitch at Newmarket in which he finished 3rd of 30.
That was impressive and if he can rediscover something near that form after a 235-day break. Summer Moon is currently at 11/1 in the market* (betting odds taken from Coral at 19:18 GMT on Monday, June 15th 2020).
Other Contenders
DIOCLETIAN is a solid performer and smashed out a great win at Chester in September in his last run. This is a bigger, tougher race than anything he has been seen in before. He does bring some nice each-way claims though and may not be disgraced, as he looks to be a tough competitor.
MANCINI may also have a chance at the places in this one. He made his return at Haydock recently, coming home fourth behind winner Moon King. It was a solid effort after a break for a new yard. He also has 2lb on his side over Moon King from that previous effort.
Another that we can spot with some each-way claims is 3-time 2019 winner ROCHESTER HOUSE. Just over a week ago, he claimed a great third-place finish behind Moon King and Blue Laurente at Haydock on his first effort on return. Could feature.
Predictions & Tips
What a race this could be and it is going to be all eyes on VERDANA BLUE to see what the hurdler can do in this one. She is a top-notch horse, but this race still looks like a bit of a crapshoot.
There are some good claims before of proven flat runners here who just look as if they are going to go well. MOON KING is one fo those and he is shaping up really well at the moment and benefits from a good recent score.
The other that we like is LAND OF OZ who had a smart second place at Chelmsford City recently on his return. He could have more in him and is likely to mix things up. Our big each-way shout is going to be DIOCLETIAN.
Offer
Coral beaten by a length offer
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Simply place a minimum £1 win or each-way single bet on any race at the selected meeting from 8 am.
The full listings of the Coral can be found on their promotion page. But it does apply to all races at Royal Ascot 2020 across all five days.
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