For the last day of Royal Ascot, there are two races that catch the eye with one recommended bet and another race of interest

3.05 Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap
Arab Spring heads the market here and has the look of a Stoute horse on the verge of Group class. He’s gone up 8lb since his latest win to a mark of 104 – which is the mark of a Listed class operator.
He may still have a few pounds in hand but isn’t the only one in the field we can apply this to – it’s a very high class handicap race.
Hamelin, is a lightly raced son of an Oaks winner who could also be somewhat better than his mark of 96. A Channel 4 interview with comedian Jack Whitehall earlier this week told us that he didn’t know that much about the sport but did give away that this was the stable’s big fancy this week!
He is the biggest danger in my mind to an even bigger priced runner who could be very well in.
Elidor won at this meeting last year of a mark of 88 – he comes back on 99 but looked an improved horse on his seasonal debut. That was backed up in his latest performance where his run was held up and he should have finished closer to Gatewood and Pethers Moon – those two are rated well into the 100s and there’s every reason to believe that Elidor should be higher as well. With William Twiston Davies now able to claim his 3lb allowance as well, I think he could be as much as 10lb well in here and at the prices he is the bet
Recommendation
1pt ew Elidor 12/1 general (1/4 1234)
(for anyone that can get on – I can’t except for just over £1! – I would say an even better bet exists with 365 who offer Elidor at 15/2 ¼ 1234 without Arab Spring and Hamelin – that wreaks of huge value)

The other race of interest is the main event
4.25 Diamond Jubilee Stakes
A top flight 6 furlong contest there is just one firm of interest here – Corals – who offer a standout ¼ 1234 on their book
That’s so much better than ¼ 123 here in this 15 runner event.
As it’s only one firm offering I don’t feel its appropriate to make a recommended bet but there are two that appeal with these terms.
Astaire 10/1 – a top 2yo who didn’t stay first time up when taking on Kingman and Night of Thunder. He confirmed he had trained on when looking the best horse at York last time where ground may just have been more suited to the winner.
Music Master 20/1 – looked a sprinter to follow this season but ran far too quickly too early at Windsor. If they can let him sit in behind the pace – rather than go hell for leather through the first 4 furlongs – I do feel he is up to this level this year

Hope everyone has had a good week even though it has been a bit hit and miss for myself!

Thanks for reading

Paul