It’s Ladies Day at the royal meeting and Chutney Dave himself Dave Massey is back with his Royal Ascot 2024 Thursday Tips on Gold Cup Day in Berkshire. Read on for Dave’s expert insight on Ascot Gold Cup Day.
Royal Ascot 2024 Thursday Tips: King’s Gambit (5:40 Ascot) – Back
I’m very keen on King’s Gambit looks one of the more solid favourites on the card. He looked to be crying out for further when just denied by Bracken’s Laugh at Newbury two starts ago, and sure enough, the ten furlong trip back at Newbury saw him in a different light. He travelled best, and when asked to put the race to bed at the furlong pole, found a nice turn of foot and just went further away from his opponents.
That blew his handicap mark (went up 14lb for that) but in truth, it didn’t look like handicaps were on connections minds, the way he won, and he can take this Group 3 on the way to better things. The quicker the ground the better for him, and with the rain staying away, he’s got a big chance.
Royal Ascot 2024 Thursday Tips Assailant (3:05 Ascot) – Each Way
Assailant caught the eye as one that would come on again for the run at Newmarket last time, as he’s a big unit, and I expected him to drop away after coming under pressure a full two furlongs from home. To his credit, though, he stayed on well all the way to the line, and although winner Kalpana was away and gone, he was only half a length behind Align The Stars at the line.
That form has been franked a couple of times since, and with Align The Stars winning well at Thirsk at the weekend, taking him to a mark in the mid-90s, it isn’t hard to see that Assailant still looks well treated from a mark of 83, the same as Newmarket. He’s also been gelded since the last time we saw him, has arguably the best of the draw in stall 20 (wide on the round course is much preferred) and looks overpriced.
Royal Ascot 2024 Thursday Tips: Skukuza, (5:05 Ascot) – Each Way
Skukuza’s been on my radar for a good handicap ever since he reappeared at Newmarket back in April, a run he clearly needed on paddock inspection beforehand, but he stayed on nicely over 7f that day, looking in need of the mile, and sure enough since being stepped up in trip, has improved plenty, including a ready win back at Newmarket last time out. That form has already been franked by third home Arisaig winning well next time out, and Skukuza’s 5lb rise looks more than workable. Throw in a good middle draw and William Buick in the saddle, and he starts top look even more of a mouthwatering bet.
Royal Ascot 2024 Thursday Tips: Vauban (4:25 Ascot) – Take On
This is simple enough. Kyprios is by far the most likely winner of the Gold Cup on all we know, so he’s going to take one of the three places up, and there are surely far more likely contenders for the other two places, with the likes of Coltrane, Trawlerman, Gregory, and Sweet William all having proven Group form at staying trips, something Vauban lacks. There’s a major question in my mind as to whether this extreme distance is going to suit too, and if I can lay him at 2-1 and under for the places, that’s what I’ll be playing.
By Dave Massey
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