The Weekend Winners team return to discuss the best betting angles for the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Ahead of the declarations being announced on Sunday, 2000 Guineas winner Bow Echo looks set to head the market for the three-year-old colts’ contest on the opening day of the Royal meeting.
Still unbeaten for George Boughey, Billy Loughnane’s mount will once again meet Gstaad – who chased him home the last day at Newmarket before going on to win the Irish equivalent at the Curragh.
Talk Of New York, Rayif and Puerto Rico are all interesting contenders among the provisional field of nine, with £396,970 up for grabs for the winner.
Declan Rix…
“This is the race of the week! We’ve got the winners of the English, Irish and French 2000 Guineas all clashing over a mile on the round track at Ascot. However, I am not going to be siding with any of the Classic winners – I like Puerto Rico who is surely overpriced here.
“He was my horse to follow at the start of the season, and he was a little bit disappointing in the French 2000 Guineas behind Rayif. If you go back, his two-year-old form has been franked last year and he won two Group Ones in France last year without being asked serious questions. At the prices, he is the one to beat Bow Echo.”
Host Kate Tracey…
“So many people are trying to get Bow Echo beat, but I don’t see why. Nothing suggests from the last day that Gstaad can reverse the form. His ratings show how good of a performance that was, being only behind Frankel’s [Guineas winning] performance in 2011.
Bow Echo and Billy Loughnane after victory in the 2000 Guineas
“Physically, the George Boughey team say he has progressed nicely and grown plenty – so it will be interesting to see how he has developed since Newmarket. He has such a good temperament and Billy could put him anywhere, point and shoot.”
Sam Boswell…
“On form Bow Echo is the one as he looks to remain unbeaten, but there is something nagging at me to think he may struggle here. I am going to side with the value play Puerto Rico – who has some class form from last year.
“I think he had excuses last time in the French Guineas. After being moved to the French Classic from the English Classic, he may have been a little bit rusty. He will be on the pace and I think he may be able to dictate on the front end.”
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