Horse Racing

Britannia Stakes racing tip: Fort Vega has high hopes from a high draw

Richard HutchinsonRichard Hutchinson22 June 2023
Triple Time ridden by jockey Neil Callan

Triple Time ridden by jockey Neil Callan

The Britannia Stakes offers some intriguing betting options, but each-way pundit Richard Hutchinson, who runs Won Racing Tip on Tipstrr, has narrowed the field down to his one best-value bet.

17:00 Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (1 mile)

This massive 29-runner cavalry charge is a real puzzle and I've landed on the Irish challenger, Fort Vega, who hails from Sheila Laverty's smallish yard in Ireland, and I like that from a handicap angle.

Fort Vega's has won his last two starts and on his handicap debut (last time out) won a hot heat by a head from Aidan O'Brien's favourite Broadhurst, who is entered for both a Group 2 back in Ireland (and another Royal Ascot handicap on Saturday).

The third that day, Betterdaysrcoming, has since franked the form by winning another big handicap, but he was no match that day for Fort Vega, who quickened well to win the race and that attribute is a handy tool to have in your arsenal to win a race like the Britannia.
You need class too, of course, and he was a late defector from the Irish 2000 guineas, so must have been showing a fair bit at home.
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Fort Vega won that handicap off a mark of 85 and only won by a neck from Broadhurst, so could only go up 4lb, and that leaves him on a wonderful mark of 89. 

He looks well in, but in this race, you need a good 10lb in hand, and he looks to be one of the shortlist that has that in his locker.
The draw is always an imponderable at Royal Ascot, as the advantage can change during the week. The moisture from Tuesday's rain has gone from the ground, and you could see the far side advantage being eroded by the middle of day two.
They have watered overnight, and with the middle and far side being raced on more earlier in the week and today's card being long distances races, the far and middle will be more poached.
Consequently, there is every chance the high draw on fresher ground, especially near the rail will hold an advantage, so I like that Fort Vega has the highest draw in stall 33.
He likes to track the pace, so I'm confident he should gain good track position, and the field is unlikely to converge onto the stand side, so he should get a clear passage.

The 18/1 currently available looks very tasty, and even down to 12/1 Fort Vega looks a rock solid each-way play.

Suggested bet: Fort Vega each-way in the 17:00 at Royal Ascot

READ MORE: Royal Ascot: Find all the odds, tips, racecards and results on Planet Sport Bet's dedicated site

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