With odds on shots Baaeed and Coroebus among the runners on the opening day of 2022 Royal Ascot, bookmakers could be on the ropes from a very early stage.
The first-named looks certain to be the cornerstone of thousands of multiple bets and the world's highest-rated horse is firmly expected to get punters off to a flying start.
As always, there are a host of short-priced runners throughout the week. Frankie Dettori's huge following at this meeting will ensure that the Italian jockey partners several strongly-fancied runners, including Stradivarius who bids for a record-equalling fourth success in the blue-riband contest.
In recent days the veteran stayer has shortened in the market, against Irish hotpot Kyprios, although some of that can be accounted for by the drift on doubtful runner Trueshan.
So which favourites look worth taking on? Mirror Racing has picked out four that punters should consider opposing.
Golden Pal - King's Stand Stakes, Tuesday
A short-priced Wesley Ward-trained favourite in a Royal Ascot sprint - it's something we've seen quite a few times now. The US-based handler has 12 wins to his name at the royal spectacular, including this particular contest with Lady Aurelia in 2017. However he has had several hotpots turned over, not least Golden Pal himself.
The super-fast son of Uncle Mo has been beaten on both previous trips to Great Britain - in the 2020 Norfolk Stakes and then when sent off a warm favourite for the Nunthorpe at York last season. He couldn't hold a candle to Winter Power there and the stiff nature of Ascot isn't going to help him.
Reach For The Moon - Hampton Court Stakes, Thursday
The general consensus was that Reach For The Moon ran a screamer in the Heron Stakes on his seasonal return. He pulled a long way clear of the rest with the smart winner My Prospero. The Sea The Stars colt is bred to relish the step up to ten furlongs and he'll be a hugely popular winner for The Queen, but he's going to be poor value on the day.
Any horse that carries the famous colours and ridden by Frankie Dettori at Royal Ascot is going to be extremely popular with punters. Therefore Reach For The Moon is almost certainly going to go off a shorter price than is warranted. He was turned over at 8-13 in last season's Champagne Stakes - by a horse that has been beaten on every subsequent start. John Gosden's charge has also had an interrupted preparation to this season and it has taken a long time to get him to peak form.
Statuette - Albany Stakes, Friday
Aidan O'Brien's only Albany Stakes winner was a 16-1 chance and some useful fillies from Ballydoyle have been beaten in this Group 3 contest. With that in mind, Statuette looks a filly worth taking on despite the impressive nature of her Navan debut win.
The daughter of Justify could be anything at this stage, however that is also the case for plenty of her rivals and short-priced runners haven't exactly excelled in recent editions. She looks a nice big scopey filly with potential to progress through the season. She's still short on experience now though and that could cost her in what is likely to be a double-figure field.
Hurricane Lane - Hardwicke Stakes, Saturday
The best horse doesn't always win the Hardwicke Stakes. This is going to be his first start since October, for all that this has been the target for some time. The three-time Group 1 winner was one of the best three-year-olds in training last year and came within three-quarters of a length of rounding off his brilliant campaign by winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
He's proven to be well suited by ground with some give in it. With very warm temperatures forecast for the latter part of the week, conditions look set to get quicker. This will place extra emphasis on speed - something that might not suit this strong stayer. There are enough doubts to oppose him at short odds.
#Ad: Get £60 in FREE BETS and BONUSES from Betfred when you bet £10 on Royal Ascot 2022
18+, new UK customers only, T&Cs apply
Gamble responsibly
Everyone at Reach is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over.
We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit begambleaware.org.
