Betting tips: Belgian Bill poised for repeat performance at Ascot

Our tipster Karl Hedley tells you where to put your money this week

ROYAL ASCOT
4-25 DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE STAKES (GROUP 2) – 1 MILE

Certify could well be the forgotten filly in this line up. Her career has been marred in controversy having been one of the horses affected by the Godolphin/Al Zarooni scandal.

She remains unbeaten in the UK and she proved that she retained plenty of ability when winning first time out at Meydan following an enforced sixteen month break.

She has beaten plenty of these before including the likes of Sky Lantern, Purr Along, Masarah and L’amour De Ma Vie.

Sky Lantern is a multiple Group One winning filly. She landed the 1000 Guineas, The Coronation Stakes and The Sun Chariot stakes last season. Richard Hannon has his stable firing on all cylinders at present and her claims are obvious.

Esoterique and Integral are closely matched on their most recent encounter in the Dahlia Stakes. Both are unproven in a grade as high and are passed over as a consequence. Fiesolana is proven at this level and has won her only start in England to date.

She hinted at a return to form when finishing second on unsuitable ground at The Curragh last time and she can make the frame. Godolphin specifically target this meeting with their horses and Certify can go close.

5-00
ROYAL HUNT CUP (HANDICAP) – 1 MILE

Belgian Bill returns to the scene of his biggest success to date and bids for back to back wins in this particular race. He remains a couple of pounds below his highest winning mark indicating that he is still well handicapped.

Pat Cosgrave has won on him before and if the ground continues to dry out his draw in stall twenty eight could prove ideal. He had a perfect prep race for this when third of twenty five runners at this track in the Victoria Cup last month and he looks sure to be in the thick of the action yet again.

Abseil looks a typical Sir Michael Stoute improver and his runs this season have not gone unnoticed. Fast ground is obviously important to him and that would appear to be on offer at this stage.

The only negative against him is a relative lack of experience in a field of this size. Sea Shanty won a shade cosily at the weekend and bids to give Her Majesty a second win in a matter of days.

Provided he has come out of that last race in good heart he can make the frame yet again. Belgian Bill aims to become the first horse to land repeat wins in this race and granted luck in running he can do just that.

THURSDAY
ROYAL ASCOT
4-25 GOLD CUP – 2 M 4F

Leading Light can give Aiden O’Brien and Ballydoyle a sixth win in this race since 2006. He came through his prep run with the minimum of fuss when beating Royal Diamond and he can be expected to confirm form with that rival and improve for the outing.

This is the first time that he will have tackled a distance as far as this, but connections know exactly what it takes to win this race and he commands utmost respect. Joseph O’ Brien has never been beaten on this son of Montjeu and he can extend that winning sequence here.

Brown Panther is two from two this season and is now asked the ultimate question. Richard Kingscote once again rides the globetrotting six year old and the combination could well serve up the most problems. Saeed Bin Suroor is another trainer with a half decent record in this particular race.

He relies on Ahzeemah this time around and Kieran Fallon is booked. This extra distance looks likely to suit and he too can improve from his seasonal reappearance. Leading Light won the Queen’s Vase at this meeting last year and he should be capable of landing this feature race to follow in the footsteps of both Yeats and Fame And Glory.

FRIDAY

ROYAL ASCOT
3-45 KING EDWARD VII STAKES – 1 M 4 F

Snow Sky failed to recover from injury in time to contest the Epsom Derby but he can make amends today to give Sir Michael Stoute yet another win in this race.

The son of Nayef was a ready winner of the Derby Trial at Lingield last month and it is unlikely that we have as yet seen the very best from him. James Doyle has partnered Snow Sky to victory before and they have the ability to make a very bold bid.

Adelaide progressed from his seasonal reappearance at Longchamp to beat a small but select field at The Curragh next time. He is certainly bred to see out this longer trip and if the travelling does not prove too much for one so inexperienced, he is likely to pose the biggest threat.

Mutakayyef was unlucky not to lose his maiden status sooner. He was dropped significantly in grade on his most recent start and romped home at Sandown by no fewer than seven lengths. William Haggas has his stable in good form and his talented inmate can make the frame. Snow Sky is far from being the fully finished article and he should still have some further improvement to come.