2009 ROYAL ASCOT DAY 1 BETTING TIPS PART TWO

In the 3:45 St James Palace Stakes, I'm all over Delegator- the 2nd place favourite behind 5/6 Mastercraftsman- the winner of the Irish 2000 Guineas. Aside from that win though, I'm not 100% about his form and while his 2008 campaign was stellar, his only win this year was that Guineas victory. Delegator came very close in the English 2000 Guineas, finishing just behind Sea the Stars at Newmarket- a course he had won on just two weeks previously in the Craven. He was beaten by Mastercraftsman in the Irish Guineas and finished near the back of the pack- which I think was a safety issue more than anything else. I'm going to play a reverse forecast with Mastercraftsman and Delegator. The 4:20 Coventry Stakes is one of the most wide open races of the entire festival. Canford Cliffs is a two year old who still boasts a 100% record, albeit having only run one race. He won the Absolute Hospitality Maiden Stakes last month at Newbury where he bested a field of 8. He carries a 15/8 price, but out of all the favourites, I think he's the weakest. No Hubris is a two-year old American who won a maiden stakes at York on May 14th where he defeated Flying Statesman gamely. Air Chief Marshall is a two-year old Irish horse who has seen more action than most of the rest of the field, coming in 2nd at Leopardstown in April before winning at Gowran Park in early may. His last run was on May 23 when he came third at Curragh in the Marble Hill Stakes. While it may not be the easiest race to handicap of the day, the 4:55 Ascot Stakes Handicap is going to be a barrel of fun. This 2 miles 4 furlong race has some real veterans running in it and Miss Venetia Williams has the favourite- Kayf Aramis at 17/2. Paddy Power is running a special on this wide-open race guaranteeing a refund on your losing singles stake if your horse finishes second. Sesenta and Judgethemoment are both 9/1 with Keenes Day and Woolfall Treasure both listed at 10/1. Kayf Aramis isn't a bad bet, but I really like the Irish runner Sesenta who has see plenty of action over the winter, and made a 2nd place finish to the talented Quevega at the Punchestown festival. He will enter this race on the back of two wins at Punchestown on May 2nd and Curragh on May 24th. Plenty of value and with this many in the field, he may be better on the insurebet, but I like Sesenta, but Kayf Aramis could have a few things to say about it.