RACING expert Graeme Johnston (@GraemeJ_83) returns to share his best bets from Saturday's action at Royal Ascot.
Jersey Stakes | 3:05 Saturday | Royal Ascot | ITV
The Jersey Stakes takes its new place on a Saturday and, in my opinion, this isn't a particularly strong renewal. However, there is one in here who I really like ,and despite not being the strongest of stayers, may be too good for her rivals here.
So Perfect (5/1 Bet365) is a hugely consistent filly and has only been out of the places once in her career. On her sole start over seven furlongs she faded late on but there was huge amounts of promise there. She was weak in the market, looked like she needed the run and ran in the smaller group. Despite all this she only narrowly lost.
She won well since then and I think she is well up to winning this.
Hardwicke Stakes | 3:40 Thursday | Royal Ascot | ITV
The Hardwicke Stakes is generally a very good race and this is no exception. There’s plenty of group form on show, including Derby and Coronation Cup winners, making this a strong renewal. But there is one here I think is underrated.
Defoe was a good, if not a surprise, winner of the Coronation Cup last time out and he looks like he is finally fulfilling his early promise. He has a very strong win ratio over his career and after a host of missed opportunities at the top level he finally broke his duck at Epsom.
Unusually he's never ran at Ascot, but I don't envisage the course being an issue and he can continue his fine season here.
Best Bets
3:05 Royal Ascot – So Perfect (5/1 Bet365)
3:40 Royal Ascot – Defoe (3/1 BetVictor)
