The first day of Royal Ascot takes place on Tuesday and Racing Post tipster Graeme Rodway returns with his four best bets on opening day.
Graeme Rodway’s tips
2.30 Ascot - Modern Games @ 7/4
3.05 Ascot - River Tiber @ 7/4
3.40 Ascot - Mitbaahy @ 25/1
5.35 Ascot - Cadillac @ 10/1
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Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.
2.30 Ascot - Modern Games @ 7/4
The Queen Anne Stakes (2.30) is the traditional Royal Ascot opener and Modern Games rates a solid bet to confirm himself as the best older miler in training for red-hot Charlie Appleby.
The in-form trainer is operating at a 38 per cent strike-rate in the last fortnight and Modern Games made it five Group or Grade 1 wins worldwide when landing the Lockinge at Newbury on his last start.
That race was run at a good gallop and he finished strongly.
He already has the beating of market rival Inspiral, who he finished three and three-quarter lengths ahead of when the pair met in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over course and distance last season and Modern Games is a far more reliable performer than her too. He is consistent.
The forecast rain shouldn’t be a problem for a horse who has won a Group 1 on good to soft ground in France and Modern Games can kick off us with a winner at the start of a long week.
Graeme Rodway's tip:
3.05 Ascot - River Tiber @ 7/4
The big races keep on coming and the best quality juvenile event is the Coventry Stakes (3.05).
Aidan O’Brien might hold the key here with the classy, unbeaten colt River Tiber.
River Tiber won by 10 lengths on his debut in a 51/2f maiden at Navan and that is a stiff course.
The step up to 6f on this similarly stamina-testing course should suit him nicely.
The selection took advantage of a good opportunity when dropped to 5f at Naas last time, running away with a weak race by two and a half lengths at odds of 2/9.
But that experience shouldn’t be lost on him and he should be capable of drawing on it in this competitive race.
The forecast rain won’t be a problem for River Tiber and he is one of the best juveniles to have run this season on time figures.
He can prove that on the course by winning this race.
Graeme Rodway's tip:
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3.40 Ascot - Mitbaahy @ 25/1
The King’s Stand Stakes (3.40) is the second Group 1 of the week and Mitbaahy could spring a surprise now that he is returned to a stiff 5f, especially if the forecast rain arrives at Ascot.
Mitbaahy had progressive form last season when winning a Listed event at Sandown and a Group 3 at Newbury.
He looked like a Group 1 sprinter in the making and has more to offer.
He has been beaten twice since that last win, but was drawn out of things on both occasions.
He had little chance of being competitive from stall 15 in a Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp that was dominated by the low numbers two runs ago and it was similar at Haydock last time.
Mitbaahy finished behind Dramatised, but did clearly best of those who came from the lowest stalls in a race that was dominated by those drawn high, towards the stands’ side of the track.
Slow going would suit Mitbaahy and he is still a massive price at the double figures on offer.
Graeme Rodway's tip:
5.35 Ascot - Cadillac @ 10/1
The Wolferton Stakes (5.35) is the most interesting betting race on the card and last year’s runner-up Cadillac appears to be peaking at the right time for new trainer George Boughey.
The five-year-old has had more trainers than wins recently, but he appears to be finding his feet for Boughey judging by his impressive victory in a good time at Epsom this month.
Cadillac was fitted with first-time cheekpieces on that occasion and he powered clear off a strong pace to win going away, scoring by a length and three-quarters at the finish line.
Boughey reported that Cadillac was suited by the good to firm ground that day, but he has plenty of form with soft in the description and is by a sire in Lope De Vega whose progeny often handle cut in the ground.
That suggests he won’t have any problems if the rain arrives.
Graeme Rodway's tip:
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Graeme Rodway’s tips
2.30 Ascot - Modern Games @ 7/4
3.05 Ascot - River Tiber @ 7/4
3.40 Ascot - Mitbaahy @ 25/1
5.35 Ascot - Cadillac @ 10/1
View the latest Horse Racing Odds
Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.
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