UK Horse Racing Tips

Run over one mile on the Rowley mile course at Newmarket, the Royal Lodge Stakes is one of the key races of the juvenile season for colts and geldings, and it usually offers plenty of clues for next years’ classics.

History

The Cambridgeshire venue will hold its sixth Royal Lodge renewal in late September after hosting the race initially back in 2005 due to Ascot undertaking renovations. From 2011 onwards, Newmarket has now become the permanent host for the Group 2 event. First run back in 1946 – over five furlongs – the Royal Lodge event was changed to the mile distance two years later, and was open to both horse genders until 1987 when the race became male only. Past winners include Mister Baileys (1993) who went onto claim the 2000 Guineas in the following year, Benny The Dip (1996) – who won The Derby in 1997 – and the irrepressible Frankel who began his road to racing immortality back in 2010.

There are no current ante-post markets available for the race, but in this article we will look at some of the main protagonists who could take their chance.

Mob-handed

Of the 91 current entrants for the Royal Lodge, Irish super-trainer, Aiden O’Brien is mob-handed with 29 potential runners – so whichever he chooses to run, it will effectively be a tip in itself. Of his plethora of options, Deauville is likely to be one of his main chances. The unbeaten colt has won races at Listowel and a Group 3 race at Leopardstown, both over seven furlongs – beating the highly regarded Sanus Per Aquam on his latest start. O’Brien has trained five previous winners of the Royal Lodge Stakes, with Daddy Long Legs being his most recent victory back in 2011, and Deauville – provided he lines up – could improve that tally even further.

Experienced

After an opening defeat on debut over six furlongs at York, the Hugo Palmer trained, Galileo Gold has since rattled up three wins in quick succession with a notable victory in the Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. Recently purchased by Al Shaqab Racing, the chestnut colt took the Group 2 event with a three-quarter length win over Ibn Malik under Frankie Dettori. With four races already under his belt, Galileo Gold already has plenty of experience which would be beneficial if Palmer decides to take one of his stable stars to his local track.

Hitting the high notes

Richard Hannon has several options to choose from for his Royal Lodge contenders, and Tony Curtis could be the one to take centre stage. A winner on debut under Cam Hardie over seven furlongs at Epsom in early July, Tony Curtis then ran a creditable third, after a tardy start in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes – again over seven furlongs – at Newmarket. The Royal Lodge is an event which is yet to be won by the Hannon yard, but hopefully Tony Curtis can provide the right tune.

One and only

Platitude is the sole entrant from the Sir Michael Stoute yard, and will be hoping to emulate previous winners, Mujaazif (1990) and Desert Secret (1992). The colt was sent to Doncaster for his racecourse debut and didn’t disappoint with a length and three-quarter victory. Platitude was to taste defeat on his second – and most recent outing – in the Listed Winkfield Stakes over seven furlongs at Ascot. A second place finish behind Sixth Sense – another entrant of the Royal Lodge – but it is hoped that the step up to the mile distance could bring out further improvement for the son of Dansili.

The Bathwick Tyres St. Hugh’s Stakes (3.55), run over 5 furlongs and 34 yards and open to 2-year-old fillies only, is the feature race at Newbury on Friday. A total of 14 fillies are set to face the starter, but there are reasons to believe that the return to the minimum trip can help Kurland resume winning ways.

The Kheleyf filly took a keen hold when tried over 6 furlongs in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket five weeks ago, weakening in the final hundred yards to finish seventh of nine, beaten 4¾ lengths, behind Illuminate. However, she holds Little Voice, Pity Cash and Shaden on her previous form over 5 furlongs, when fourth of 20, beaten 6½ lengths, behind Acapulco in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot and a reproduction of that performance may be good enough.

The third at Ascot, Besharah, was subsequently beaten a nose in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes and won the Princess Margaret Juddmonte Stakes, back at Ascot, two weeks later, so the form looks strong. Officially, Kurland has 5lb to find with Whatdoiwantthatfor, but a line through Besharah suggests she may have the beating of Richard Hannon’s filly and she remains open to improvement after just three starts.

Selection: 3.55 Newbury Kurland to win

In the Hotel & Racing Packages Available Handicap (4.45) at Wolverhampton on Thursday, Ian Williams’ 6-year-old Ferryview Place returns to Tapeta after a fruitless spell on turf and may be able to regain the winning thread.

The Compton Place gelding won over course and distance, in 0-55 company, off his current handicap mark in February and ran his best race on turf for some time when fourth of twelve, beaten 4½ lengths, in a 0-70 amateur riders’ contest over 1 mile 2 furlongs at Newbury two weeks ago. The only horse from that race to have run since, Engai, who finished third, won a similar contest at Beverley last Tuesday, so the form looks even better than it did at the time.

His career record of 4 wins from 39 starts isn’t particularly inspiring, but two of those wins came over course and distance, under Stevie Donohoe, earlier this year, so he has plenty going for him in a race that probably won’t take much winning.

Selection: Wolverhampton 4.45 Ferryview Place to win

In the ‘Latest Free Bet Offers’ Handicap (3.00) at Chepstow on Thursday, Bonjour Steve has form figures of 22212 at the Welsh track and although stepping up to 0-80 company for just the second time in his career, may be capable of resuming winning ways. The Bahamian Bounty gelding was only headed in the final hundred yards in a 0-75 contest over course and distance last month and can be relied upon to run his race once again.

Richard Price’s 4-year-old has recorded both career wins with “soft” in the going description, but has run well enough on good and good to firm going in the past to suggest that faster underfoot conditions won’t, necessarily, hinder his chances. There is a chance of light rain or drizzle overnight in any case. Promising apprentice Tom Marquand is 1-2 for Richard Price’s yard and 3-9 on the course, so while the 17-year-old is only really starting out on his career, the statistics so far speak in favour of a decent run.

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Selection: Chepstow 3.00 Bonjour Steve to win