Two days down, three to go, our in form tipster has run the rule over the action for Ladies Day at Royal Ascot and is particularly keen on a runner in the King George V Stakes
Go into the King George V Stakes battle with a GUNSHIP (3.05) on your side. The form of all four of his races is extremely solid. He beat Merchant – one of today’s rivals – on Newcastle’s all-weather track in December and he chased home useful Michael Scofield under a penalty at Southwell.
His handicap debut third behind another of today’s runners – Sing Us A Song – at Sandown was better than it looked as he came from further back than ideal.
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The way he brushed aside dual subsequent winner War Hawk at Southwell last month suggests he is improving at a rapid rate and the step up to 1m4f for the first time should help. Have 2pts each-way at 9-1. Sky Bet is paying out on six places.
ICEFORD (5.00) has been progressing nicely and he looks just the right type for the Britannia Handicap.
Johnny Murtagh’s Irish raider came good at the sixth attempt when getting on top of Shameful in the closing stages of a competitive 7f Curragh handicap last month.
The step up to a mile in this big-field handicap will suit him perfectly. Have 1pt each-way at 25-1. Plenty of firms are offering five places.
William Haggas has only had one previous runner in the Hampton Court Stakes in the last ten years. That was Mohaafeth and he was successful in 2021.
ARABIAN FORCE (5.35) is a typically-progressive three-year-old from the same yard.
He only made his debut little more than two months ago but he has since notched up wins at Wetherby and Salisbury.
The way he sauntered clear of last weekend’s Sandown winner Gladius to record a five-length victory on his most recent start was most impressive.
This Group 3 will require another personal best but that is highly likely. Have 1pt each-way at 20-1. Several bookies are going four places.
WITCH HUNTER (6.10) won the Buckingham Palace Stakes two years ago and he looks to have an excellent chance of regaining the trophy.
He had a shot at the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot last year and he ran a cracker to finish fourth.
His nose second behind Tiber Flow in the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes was another example of his class and he’s had excuses in recent handicap starts. Have 2pts each-way at 16-1. Sky Bet is paying out on seven places.
