How to Bet the Prince of Wales’s at Royal Ascot

Six brave horses will try to upend the sensational Cracksman in Wednesday’s $1,012,500 Prince of Wales’s (G1) at Royal Ascot. As part of the “Win & You’re In” challenge series, the winner of the 10-furlong feature receives an automatic berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) this fall.

Royal Ascot Betting Guide

Here are the Prince of Wales’s contestants:

#1 CLIFFS OF MOHER – Group 2-winner has paired up nice runs in 2018 and has the class to get a piece of the pie with his best. Aidan O’Brien pupil had no chance with Cracksman on this course in the Champion (G1) last fall but is eligible to perform better today.

#2 CRACKSMAN – Europe’s leading three-year-old last season, the son of Frankel returned this season with an impressive tally in France but had to work a bit harder last time after banging his head at the start of the Coronation Cup (Eng-G1). He still had the class to get up late and Cracksman showed his affinity for Ascot when airing by seven lengths over a deep field in the Champion Stakes last October. Anything less than an easy score here would be a surprise to me and Frankie Dettori has the assignment on Europe’s top male horse.

#3 DESERT ENCOUNTER – Long shot was a steady winner on the Ascot lawn last spring but no match for Poet’s World at Sandown last time. David Simmock trainee may be a cut or two below the top guns.

#4 EMINENT – Group-2 star didn’t fire off the layoff but brings pace to this field. Bay son of Frankel will surely move forward today and recorded a nice effort when third in the Irish Champion Stakes (G1) in his sophomore finale. Intriguing type can’t be dismissed for a minor award with further improvement in his second start back.

#5 HAWKBILL – Charlie Appleby trainee was an impressive winner of the Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1) in March but spit the bit early in the June 1 Coronation Cup (G1) at Epsom. $4.6 million earner will wear blinkers to stay focused today, though an equipment change for the classy five-year-old at this stage of the game is a bit curious to me.

#6 POET’S WORLD – Clear second-choice from the barn of Sir Michael Stoute exits a commanding win at Sandown Park against Group 3 rivals in a fine prep run. Five-year-old has proven Group-1 class and finished second to Cracksman in the Champion Stakes, albeit by seven lengths. Best chance for an upset if the favorite shows up below par.

#7 ROYAL JULIUS – Italian Group-2 hero doesn’t appear competitive at this level and would be a shocker, to say the least.

Analysis

Cracksman is one of the highest-rated horses in the world. He possesses natural speed and a punishing turn of foot. With an obvious affinity for the Royal Ascot ground, as well as the potential of a perfect race set-up behind two speedy types in front of him, Cracksman looks untouchable.

We have to find value in the gimmicks and will play trifectas with Poet’s World, Eminent and Cliffs of Moher underneath.

Wager

$30 Trifecta: 2-6-4 = $30

$20 Trifecta: 2-4-6 = $20

$10 Trifecta: 2-6-1 = $10

$5 Trifecta: 2-4-1 = $5

Check out the 2018 Royal Ascot News & Notes Blog for more information