Alan Alger: My 4 To Win tips for day one of Royal Ascot
Our expert reveals his top picks for winning £10,000 in our free-to-play prediction game, as well as his two best bets for Tuesday's racecard.
4 To Win is Betway's free-to-play prediction game running throughout Royal Ascot.
Simply guess the winner from four chosen races for your chance to win £10,000, with the jackpot rolling over every day the prize goes unclaimed.
Here are Alan Alger's top tips to get you started...
15.05
TOP PICK: INDIGO BALANCE
The top three in the market have varied credentials.
Sergei Prokofiev comes from a stable with an outstanding record in the race and has got better as the season's gone on.
Calyx highlighted a number of key performance markers when obliterating the field on his debut at Newmarket, and Cosmic Law was a very impressive winner at the Derby meeting earlier this month.
But the one I like is INDIGO BALANCE from the same Jessica Harrington stable that produced last year's favourite, Brother Bear, who was unlucky in the running.
Indigo Balance had a terrific winning time on debut and, on the clock, looks a very good alternative to the short prices on offer among the favourites.
15.40
TOP PICK: LADY AURELIA
This is one of the smallest field renewals for some time, as I guess most entries have been put off by the presence of Battaash and last year’s winner, LADY AURELIA, at the head of the market.
For the purposes of the competition, I’m going to side with the latter, who looks as though she will be back to her best after a losing run.
17.00
TOP PICK: LAGOSTOVEGAS
This handicap provides a nice variation on a card dominated by distances of one mile or under.
This 2m 4f trip will take a lot of getting on a hot day, despite the presence of decent ground.
A number of National Hunt trainers are aiming entries at this prize, conscious that jumps yards have dominated over the last decade.
Willie Mullins has won this race in three of the last six years, and makes five entries this year.
The best of those could be LAGOSTOVEGAS who has been placed in three of her four races at a distance of two miles and above.
17.35
TOP PICK: MIRAGE DANCER
MIRAGE DANCER was very impressive at Goodwood last time out and looks set to follow up here.
He has conditions to suit and there are question marks surrounding lots of those around him at the head of the market.
TUESDAY’S TIPS
14.30 (NAP)
With Betway offering money back as a free bet on the first race of the day, it’s well worth trying to find a winner.
I like the look of the French horse RECOLETOS , who won the same race at Longchamp that Goldikova took on the way to this prize in 2010.
There is a small question mark over the firm ground but I’d be hopeful that he can overcome that.
15.05 (BEST EACH-WAY)
We are paying an extra place at ¼ odds in the Coventry, with more extra places on offer in the 17.00 and 17.35.
That offer is ripe for a very nice each-way bet on INDIGO BALANCE .
We are getting a nice price because of the hype surrounding Sergei Prokofiev and Calyx.
His win on debut was in a very quick time and he should be involved at the finish here.
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