menu Free Bets

Guide to
Royal Ascot

Commonwealth Cup 2016: Gifted can Master sprint rivals

royal ascot tips

Posted in: Royal Ascot Tips

Timeform preview the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup, set to take place on the Friday of Royal Ascot 2016, and recommend an ante-post bet.

Click here to back Gifted Master at 13/2 in the 2016 Commonwealth Cup

The Commonwealth Cup wasn’t met with universal approval when run for the first time in 2015, with some observers feeling the race detracted from the two Group 1 sprints already run at the Royal meeting, the King’s Stand Stakes and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.


However, Muhaarar put those doubts to bed with arguably the most memorable performance of the entire meeting and – Timeform’s champion sprinter after three further Group 1 victories – he certainly gives the 2016 participants a hard act to follow.


Acapulco created a similarly deep impression when blitzing her rivals in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot last year and she went on to run a huge race when second in her bid to become the first two-year-old filly to win the Nunthorpe Stakes since 1992. A winner of two minor races in her native USA recently, she is currently a clear 3/1 favourite with Betfair for the Commonwealth Cup and – joint top-rated with Timeform – she does look to hold obvious claims.


However, she appeared to tire quite badly at the end of the Nunthorpe and, with an extra furlong to contend with at Ascot, she might prove vulnerable to a stronger stayer at the trip. Her powerful physique also gave her a significant advantage over her contemporaries last year, but she perhaps doesn't have the same scope for improvement as a result and looks worth opposing at the current prices on offer.


Gifted Master joins her at the top of the Timeform ratings for the race and is Acapulco's nearest challenger in the market. Unbeaten in five starts since a gelding operation halfway through last season, he produced a very smart performance to score over the C&D of the Commenwealth Cup in a Group 3 last month, dismissing some promising types in dominant fashion and looking tailor-made for a follow up bid next month. 


He makes more appeal than Washington DC, who could only manage a disappointing seventh when sent off favourite that day. Aidan O'Brien's charge has since redeemed himself with a decisive success in a listed race at Navan recently, but that doesn't look the strongest form on offer here and he still has 11 lb to find with Gifted Master on Timeform ratings.


There's no reason why he should reverse the placings on that evidence, a comment that also applies to Dream Dubai (second) and Dhahmaan (fourth). That duo were behind Godolphin's Log Out Island in the Carnarvon Stakes at Newbury last time, with the winner showing a similar level of form to Acapulco and Gifted Master. He may have been slightly flattered on the day, though, and a repeat of his forceful tactics might not be so successful at Ascot.


Godolphin also have the Mark Johnston-trained pair of Lumiere and Buratino engaged in the race and both are possibles after struggling in their respective races on Guineas weekend. The former shaped as if something was amiss in the 1000 Guineas and is passed over with something to prove at present, but Buratino ran a more encouraging race in the colts' classic. He simply failed to stay on that occasion and last year's Coventry Stakes winner could yet develop into a very smart sprinter.


La Rioja remains unexposed on the back of an impressive Group 3 victory in September, while Kachy and Besharah got back on track recently after below par starts to the campaign. Group-winning two-year-olds Ajaya, Illuminate and Quiet Reflection also need to be respected in what looks set to be a hugely competitive affair.


However, it is hard to escape from the consistent profile of Gifted Master, who was most impressive over the C&D in April and promises to be a flagbearer for the Hugo Palmer yard this season and beyond. Buratino remains with potential in this sphere, but the selection has far better recent form to his name and makes plenty of appeal at the 13/2 currently on offer.


Click here to back Gifted Master at 13/2 in the 2016 Commonwealth Cup 


Royal Ascot Latest News


Horse racing free bet offers

  • Get up to £50 back as cash if your first five bets lose

    Place 5x£10 Sportsbook bets on any Horse racing market at minimum odds of 2.0 (Evs), and get money back as a Free Bet if it loses. Max refund per qualifying bet is £10 (up to £50 in total). Only deposits made via Cards will be eligible for the promotion (Apple Pay excluded). T&Cs apply

    Place 5x£10 Sportsbook bets on any Horse racing market at minimum odds of 2.0 (Evs), and get money back as a Free Bet if it loses. Max refund per qualifying bet is £10 (up to £50 in total). Only deposits made via Cards will be eligible for the promotion (Apple Pay excluded). T&Cs apply

    Read Paddy Power Review →
  • Bet £5, Get £20 in Free Bets

    New Customer offer. Place a min £5 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £20 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards or Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly

    New Customer offer. Place a min £5 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £20 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards or Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly

    Read Betfair Review →
  • Bet £10 Get £50 in Bonuses

    New customers only. 09:00 on 08/03/24 – 17:30 on 15/03/24. Register with CHELT50. First bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports which settles before 23:59 on 15/03/24. Free Bets: £20 Horse Racing, £20 Football Acca & 50 x £0.20 (£10) Free Spins on Fishin’ Frenzy within 10 hours. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply

    New customers only. 09:00 on 08/03/24 – 17:30 on 15/03/24. Register with CHELT50. First bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports which settles before 23:59 on 15/03/24. Free Bets: £20 Horse Racing, £20 Football Acca & 50 x £0.20 (£10) Free Spins on Fishin’ Frenzy within 10 hours. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply

    Read Betfred Review →
See all free bet offers

ROYAL ASCOT 2024 COUNTDOWN

Days Hours Mins Secs

HORSE SEARCH

ROYAL ASCOT RACES 2023

Horse racing free bet offers

  • Get up to £50 back as cash if your first five bets lose

    Place 5x£10 Sportsbook bets on any Horse racing market at minimum odds of 2.0 (Evs), and get money back as a Free Bet if it loses. Max refund per qualifying bet is £10 (up to £50 in total). Only deposits made via Cards will be eligible for the promotion (Apple Pay excluded). T&Cs apply

    Read Paddy Power Review
  • Bet £5, Get £20 in Free Bets

    New Customer offer. Place a min £5 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £20 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards or Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly

    Read Betfair Review
  • Bet £10 Get £50 in Bonuses

    New customers only. 09:00 on 08/03/24 – 17:30 on 15/03/24. Register with CHELT50. First bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports which settles before 23:59 on 15/03/24. Free Bets: £20 Horse Racing, £20 Football Acca & 50 x £0.20 (£10) Free Spins on Fishin’ Frenzy within 10 hours. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply

    Read Betfred Review
See all free bet offers

NEXT RACE SMART STATS

£190.44 Nicky Martin's profit to a £1 level stake when having only one runner on the card (hurdles) (saddles MY LAST OSCAR)
22% Harry Cobden's strike rate at EXETER (rides MR TAMBOURINE MAN)
;