Royal Ascot, a highlight of the British racing calendar, continues on Wednesday with a series of high-quality contests beyond the marquee Prince of Wales’s Stakes. Punters are particularly focusing on races such as the Group Two Duke of Cambridge Stakes and the Royal Hunt Cup, with the World Pool system in full operation, offering broader betting opportunities.
In the Duke of Cambridge Stakes, run over Ascot’s round mile, attention is firmly on two fillies: Blue Bolt and Catalina Delcarpio. Blue Bolt, trained by Andrew Balding, has shown considerable promise, having achieved progressive results last year despite encountering challenging conditions and strong competitors. Her recent reappearance at Goodwood was satisfactory, and she is anticipated to deliver a strong performance, making her a key selection in the World Pool Win market.
Catalina Delcarpio also commands significant respect. Following a third-place finish in last year’s Ribblesdale at the Royal meeting, where she struggled with the 12-furlong distance, trainer Paddy Twomey has shrewdly brought her back to a mile. Her recent impressive outing at Leopardstown highlights her pace and stamina, making her a formidable competitor in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes. Both Blue Bolt and Catalina Delcarpio are being considered for a World Pool Quinella, where the first two horses can finish in any order.
Later in the afternoon, the Royal Hunt Cup presents a different challenge with its 30-runner cavalry charge over the Ascot straight mile. This race is known for its competitiveness, and two outsiders have been singled out for potential upsets. Checkandchallenge, a seasoned horse from William Knight’s yard, possesses strong past form, particularly over straight miles, including a close fifth in last year’s Lockinge at Group One level. His current handicap mark is considered lenient, and recent performances at Newbury suggest he could surprise many.
Another horse to watch in the Royal Hunt Cup is Blue RC. Trainer James Tate appears to have prepared him specifically for this race, and he is expected to thrive on the faster ground conditions, which he prefers. Having previously run well behind Checkandchallenge at Newbury on softer ground, Blue RC could offer considerable value in the World Pool markets, potentially springing a surprise.