Royal Ascot tips (1625): Auguste Rodin too hot for Inspiral in Prince Of Wales’ Stakes
- John Fearn
- 19 June 2024
Wednesday’s only Group 1 renewal sees some of racing’s best middle-distance prospects battle it out in what often develops into one of the most competitive races at the Royal Ascot Festival.
16:25 Royal Ascot: Prince Of Wales’s Stakes
- Race details: 1 mile 2 furlongs, Group 1, 4-year-olds+
- 2023 winner: Mostahdaf, Jim Crowley (J) - John & Thady Gosden (T)
- Recent Trends: 21/22 winners aged 4 or 5, of whom 12 had won last time out
Inspiral finished last season with three straight wins, crowned by her triumph in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Santa Anita in November.
Her season debut in the Lockinge at Newbury faded into a well-beaten fourth of 10, but she is expected to strip fitter after that outing and she holds leading claims here.
Her prospects are likely to depend largely on which version of Auguste Rodin turns up, because the winner of eight of his 12 career outings has shown himself to be equally capable of slumping dramatically, as he proved in last season’s 2000 Guineas and King George, and then again in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in March.
Suggested bet: Auguste Rodin in the 16:25 at Royal Ascot
When in the mood, however, he can look invincible and he was certainly imperious in his three-year-old wins in both the Epsom and Irish Derbies, the Irish Champion and finally in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita.
He had to give second best to White Birch in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at Curragh when last seen 24 days ago, but the cut in the ground that day possibly offered an excuse and even then he still finished eight lengths clear of third.
Although defeated, that performance was a big step back in the right direction, and if that form continues on the same trajectory, then he should prove too hot for his rivals here.
- Tip advised by David Xristo on Tipstrr
The betting market is pretty much split in two between likely contenders and outsiders, but of that latter group, Karl Burke’s Royal Rhyme might just be flying beneath the bookies radar at odds of around 20/1.
Having won on debut on his sole outing as a juvenile, he continues to progress through his three-year-old campaign, romping home in a Goodwood handicap before franking that form with another win in Listed company at Ayr in September.
Royal Rhyme was far from disgraced when coming fifth in the Champion Stakes over this course and distance last October, and he hit the ground running on his four-year-old season debut a month ago, when he saw off his three rivals with aplomb to land the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown.
He’s yet to take on the calibre of horses he will meet in this line-up, but with the capable Clifford Lee in the saddle he could be an interesting contender at those odds.
Suggested bet: Royal Rhyme each-way in the 16:25 at Royal Ascot
- Tip advised by Big Priced Winners on Tipstrr
READ MORE: Royal Ascot Wednesday tips: Best bets for ITV action on Day 2, June 19
