RACING fan Gaurav Chaddah (@GauravChaddah) shares his NAP and his best each-way bet on Day 5 of Royal Ascot on Saturday.
NAP: 2:30 – Lope Y Fernandez (6/4 Paddy Power)
Lope Y Fernandez arrives here after only the one start but was ultra impressive on his debut when well backed, and vibes suggest he may be something rather special. He is a €900,000 yearling and represents a yard who've won this race twice in the last three years, and on both occasions arrived at Ascot on the back of just one run.
Pinatubo (4/1 Bet365) won the Woodcote at Epsom and should relish the extra furlong here but that form has taken a couple of knocks and that now raises questions of just how good it was.
Heaven Fordend (14/1 Boylesports) may be a typical Michael Stoute improver and could go well, whilst Aidan O'Brien's grip on the race is also backed up with two each-way chances in the form of Harpocrates (12/1 Bet365) and Year of the Tiger (14/1 Bet365) who could easily step forward but may struggle to pass there stalemate.
Each-Way: 5:00 – Bacchus (22/1 BetVictor)
Bacchus won this race last year on his seasonal reappearance and will attempt to do so again, having last run in October.
He has to defy top weight here but is only three pounds higher than last year's success and I think may go well enough to at least place from stall 21. He has a good record fresh, not only winning this on his seasonal reappearance last year, but also winning a handicap at Newbury on his first run of 2017.
Cape Byron (10/1 BetVictor) was impressive winning a handicap over seven here last month and that form has received some nice boosts, with the third (Kaeso) winning a handicap at Chester with Raising Sand and Kynren in behind running well in the Hunt Cup.
Lay: 3:40 – Masar (10/3 Betfair)
Masar won the Derby last year but picked up an injury soon after meaning we haven't seen him since and I think he's short enough here on his first start in over a year to oppose.
That Derby has worked out well – De Ex Bee was second in Thursday's Gold Cup and Roaring Lion, who finished third in the Derby, went on to numerous success last season.
It's his first run after such a long time off that I would expect him not to be given such a hard time and whilst he may retain his ability, he may be ridden with other targets in mind, with the priority being to get a run into him.
Defoe (4/1 Bet365) won the Coronation at Epsom and warrants a lot of respect now being a Group 1 winner and may be the answer here.
Best Bets
2:30 Royal Ascot – Lope Y Fernandez (6/4 Paddy Power)
5:00 Royal Ascot – Bacchus (22/1 each-way BetVictor)
3:40 Royal Ascot – Lay Masar (10/3 Paddy Power)
