Royal Ascot 2021: Three best ante-post bets

Battleground – St James’s Palace Stakes, Tuesday 15^th June

The St James’s Palace Stakes usually acts as the decider among the three-year-old miling colts before they take on their elders and, at the time of writing, there is no standout in the division as yet.

The ante-post market is headed by French 2000 Guineas winner St Mark’s Basilica who is available to back at a top-price 11/4. He didn’t have to improve on the form of his Dewhurst win to make a winning return at Longchamp this month, but he still got the job done in good style and the substance of his form entitles him to be favourite. St Mark’s Basilica did shape as though he could improve for a step up in trip, though, and could be aimed at the Prix du Jockey Club next.

With that in mind, stablemate Battleground looks overpriced at 10/1. The first foal of Breeders’ Cup Turf and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Found, he looked a potential top-notcher when winning the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood last season, and shaped well when runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland on his final two-year-old start, not looking suited by the tight-turning track.

Battleground was the pick in the paddock in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and attracted strong late support which resulted in him starting favourite. He beat only one rival home, but the bare result doesn’t tell the full story, as he travelled strongly but quickly lost ground when losing his action in the Dip around two furlongs out, and wasn’t given a hard time once his chance had gone. The wealth of support that came for him that day speaks volumes given connections, and the return to Ascot will very much be in his favour. Battleground missed the Irish 2000 Guineas due to heavy ground, and will likely be much shorter in the betting if lining up on Day One of Royal Ascot.

His sire, War Front, is one of the world's top stallions

His dam, Found, is an Arc winner and a Breeders' Cup winner

Battleground was bred to be special - and he looked just that in the Chesham Stakes 🤩#RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/jUeSRKoBe9

— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 18, 2020

Snow Lantern – Coronation Stakes, Friday 18^th June

The Coronation Stakes ante-post betting is headed by the 1000 Guineas winner Mother Earth and Irish 1000 Guineas winner Empress Josephine (who needs supplementing), both trained by Aidan O’Brien.

The former has since run to a similar level when finishing runner-up in the French 2000 Guineas at Longchamp, finding only an unexpected improver too good, and she is one of the standard setters on Timeform ratings. You aren’t getting much value at around 7/2, though, given that the entries for the Coronation are chock-full of fillies who have the potential to improve past Mother Earth.

One of those is the Richard Hannon-trained Snow Lantern, who opened her account in impressive fashion in a hot-looking maiden at Newbury on her return in April. She dismissed Enable’s half-brother Derab – who has won with any amount in hand since – with ease and looked a filly destined for the top level. However, Hannon made a cautious call in the days afterwards, deciding not to aim her at the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Snow Lantern started a warm favourite for a listed event won by Primo Bacio at York last time but was patently too free to do herself justice. She pulled her way into a handy position soon after the start and repeatedly failed to settle, still travelling powerfully at the two-furlong pole, but her earlier exertions clearly told in the closing stages. Snow Lantern is well worth another chance to confirm her earlier promise, and 14/1 looks fair enough for her to try and emulate her dam Sky Lantern who won this race in 2012.

Frankel x Sky Lantern

The beautifully-bred Snow Lantern strikes on her return and in good style for @rhannonracing at @NewburyRacing @LeveySean pic.twitter.com/vi8krrdQur

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 18, 2021

Starman – Diamond Jubilee Stakes, Saturday 19^th June

The five-furlong division has been dominated by Battaash in recent years, and the Ed Walker-trained Starman has the potential to be equally dominant over six furlongs. He came a long way in a short space of time last season, only making his debut in July, but winning his first three starts, looking a potentially top-class sprinter when putting the reliable Dakota Gold – who won three times after – in his place in a listed event at York in September.

Starman was then fast-tracked to Group 1 company but failed to fire in the Champions Sprint over the Diamond Jubilee course and distance on his final start last year. He was never at the races that day, labouring from over halfway and never on terms, soft ground a possible excuse.

Starman quickly put that disappointing display behind him when winning a strong renewal of the Duke of York Stakes on his return this month, producing a performance bettered only by dual Group 1 winner Harry Angel in the past decade and seeming destined for the top of the sprinting ranks. He beat another upwardly-mobile type Nahaarr by a neck, but was value for more than the winning margin as he seemed to idle when in front and pulled out more when that rival came to his quarters.

The Diamond Jubilee was proposed as his next target after the race and it is no surprise he heads the betting. He sets the standard on Timeform ratings and this well-made, strong-quartered colt has the physical attributes and potential to progress further still.

🎵 There's a Starman waiting on the Knavesmire

🏇 Five races
🥇 Four wins
🏆 G2 Duke Of York Stakes
🏆 Listed Garrowby Stakes
⭐️ Exciting

Starman makes a winning reappearance for @edwalkerracing & @oismurphy at @yorkracecourse pic.twitter.com/Dt3JecyYbo

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 12, 2021

Recommendations:

Back Battleground in the St James’s Palace Stakes at 10/1

Back Snow Lantern in the Coronation Stakes at 14/1

Back Starman in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at 7/2