2024 Royal Ascot Handicaps: How to bet Thursday’s Britannia Stakes
Royal Ascot scenic (Photo by Ascot Racecourse / Credit to Megan Coggin)
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Gold Cup Day at Royal Ascot features three competitive handicaps. All three look to offer great opportunities for players, but perhaps the most open is the Brittania Stakes, for three-year-olds over the straight mile.
The 30-horse field is sufficiently even that early odds in Britain have no runner shorter than 10-1, and no runner longer than 50-1. The only sure bet is that there’s likely to be great value Thursday for anyone who gets the race right.
Royal Ascot Race 5, 12:05 p.m. ET: Britannia Stakes, 1 mile, heritage handicap, 3-year-olds
Selections
- #21 Volterra
- #23 Mickley
- #19 Qirat
- #18 Dashing Darcey
Wagers
Ralph Beckett comes into the race with a very solid chance in the form of #19 Qirat. He won one of his three juvenile starts and came back in style with a nice victory over seven furlongs at Goodwood May 25. He finished that race strongly and looked as though a mile should suit him well.
Qirat may start as the favorite, but there are numerous chances. #25 Native Warrior arrives after a nice Nottingham maiden victory, while Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore have a useful chance with #22 Air Commander, who will appreciate a drop in weight from Ireland.
#18 Dashing Darcey comes into the race well-seasoned, with four runs behind him, the most recent a decisive victory at Haydock. He has the benefit of the in-form Silvestre De Sousa in the saddle.
However, it’s two relatively raw three-year-olds that have taken my eye most. #21 Volterra won once from three starts as a juvenile, and on his return to racing, showed a very nice turn of foot to win at Newmarket May 3. This field is much stronger, but he looked like he still had a bit to learn and should be improved by the effort.
Much the same can be said of #23 Mickley. Placed twice at two, his three-year-old campaign has produced a maiden triumph at Southwell and a nice last-to-first effort in a Doncaster handicap May 31. He also looked like there was improvement to come from his Doncaster performance.
It’s a tough race, but I have been most impressed by Volterra and he looks a nice chance to deliver.
