Social Discourse – The Royal Ascot One
It’s nearly here. The top hats and tails have been measured. The Pimms has been prepared, the tickets sent out, the badges inscribed.
The Royal Family have had their dresses fitted, the carriages are ready, and an army of racegoers have their best outfits – in their own minds at least – prepared. Yes, Royal Ascot is on its way, and in this edition of Social Discourse we are all about the right Royal Affair, and what you think about it.
So without further ado, let’s begin.
- Do’s and don’t’s
What rules should you follow and what pitfalls should you avoid?
Do – have a thorough look at all those you're least familiar with
Don't – complain that it's not Cheltenham/Aintree/ICW (delete as applicable).
Don't – assume that the bias on the straight course will remain the same throughout the week.
— Martin #PEYOPM (@quevega) June 16, 2019
The last one most important as they often over compensate the next day.
— Michael (@TenSovsComCup) June 16, 2019
https://twitter.com/Gem1304/status/1140337030947323906
Do get there early by midday because the trains even before then are impossible to get in. Also do pay for the Queen Anne enclosure because it gives much more space. Also Tuesday best day to go. Really enjoyed going last year. Nice place to celebrate getting my Uni results!
— Chris Hills (@hillsey_92) June 16, 2019
Bit snobby maybe but I’d avoid the Windsor Enclosure. Views are awful and nobody is interested in the racing. Extra spend for the Queen Anne is money well spent.
— Tony Deakin (@Deakers68) June 16, 2019
It is worth saying that some of you were not as enthused about the coming week:
Don't be working class
— Adam Heath (@adamheath) June 16, 2019
Don't go
— Lord Yama (@Grim_Reaper71) June 16, 2019
Do: stay away.
Don’t: go.— Jack Ford (@jackford30) June 16, 2019
Just don’t
— Jon Hull (@Jonnyhull1) June 16, 2019
From yours truly:
Do:
- If you’re headed there for the first time, take comfortable shoes. You’d be surprised at how big Ascot is from end to end
- If you are trying to get good prices and decent each/way terms, bet the night before or in the morning. Raceday markets shorten massively
- Think about course form. Ascot rewards repeat performers and other courses can correlate well, especially ones with stiff finishes
- If you are going and haven’t already yet, buy and take a mobile phone charger. In fact, two if you can carry them
- Think about where the pace is. It can be crucial in races on the straight mile but every race will be affected by it
Don’t
- Chase: There are five days of racing here and nearly 30 races. Your week is not over after a bad day, and unless you call it quits when ahead, it’s not over after one winner
- Go too hard too early. There’s nothing wrong with an early pint, but Royal Ascot days are long ones on course
- Count out a horse completely because of price or draw. Plenty of big fields, especially over 1m4f, have seen high drawn horses win, and we’ve had big priced winners to boot for a ton of races as readers here know
- Leave it late, especially if you are heading from London Waterloo – there’s a dispute between South West Railway (SWR) and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) over train guards. Some are saying that driving by road might be the best way to do it
- Memory Lane
Now for a trip down memory lane. Let’s just say that one of you has some rather unique memories of Royal Ascot..
Telling the bloke who pushed in front of me in the champagne queue that I was going to stick his top hat up his arse.
— Nick Goff (@nickgoff79) June 16, 2019
And onto the track based ones…..
Persian Punch v Royal Rebel – 2001 Gold Cup
— John Priddey (@gloriavictis) June 16, 2019
The Queen and Estimate in 2013
— Ed Barker (@edbarkerpig) June 16, 2019
A non bet related one. Estimate winning the Gold Cup. I turned round and could see the Queen buzzing in the Royal Box. Atmosphere was buzzing. And I’m no royalist by any means.
— Smido (@Smido11) June 16, 2019
Yeats 4th Gold Cup.
— LeeAnn @ Mrs Blacks (@ShoppeKeeperCat) June 16, 2019
Tender Heart winning the 1980 Royal Hunt Cup
— Howard Cohen (@aitchjp) June 16, 2019
Fantastic Light in the POW in 2001. I say memory but I appreciate him more in retrospect. He then had Galileo by the balls at the 2f pole in the King George but was outstayed. He was electric at 10f as a 5yo. Godolphin knew what they were doing in those days.
— Ian Parker (@jayessconn70) June 16, 2019
Leading Light, just in general. From when he won the Queen's Vase to then Joseph giving him a proper man's ride to win the Gold Cup
— Ben Dobson (@bendobson21) June 16, 2019
And one from the Gentleman’s bookmaker……
Leaving as they run the last on a Saturday, knowing I've won a chunk, and that I don't have to return the next day to knock it all out!
— Ben Keith (@BenStarSports) June 16, 2019
- Crown Jewels
With so many top class races – there are eight Group 1’s alone – it’s sometimes impossible to know where to look. But never fear, Twitter’s here for a crowdsourced guide.
Prince Of Wales I think, obviously excluding the races I'm going for but I think them two fillies doing battle is going to be a an absolute scrap, one to savour and potentially one to give us the Arc winner.
— Jay (@TracksideJay) June 16, 2019
The 1st then I means I have still 5 others left to watch on Tuesday
— rupert bettison (@bartoyuk) June 16, 2019
Ascot Stakes,Gold Cup and Queen Alexandra
— Neil Watson (@WattyRacing) June 16, 2019
Gold cup
— Hywel Peterson (@hywelpeterson) June 16, 2019
The Social Discourse Choice: It was surprising not to see more shouts for the Gold Cup, but the sheer amount of talented two-year-olds we’ve seen means The Coventry has to be my pick.
- Nap Hands
Here are the naps from the great and good of Twitter:
Would be Japan in the King Edward but not sure if he's an intended runner, so Eagles by Day on Weds
— Bradley Green (@cafcbrad) June 16, 2019
Fighting Thursday
— Dan Heap (@Ohdannyboy77) June 16, 2019
Dashing Willoughby each way Queen’s Vase
— Ross Burdon (@jrburdon) June 16, 2019
Magical
— Vinny Grennan (@vinnygrennan) June 16, 2019
I think Stradivarius and Hermosa are likely winners but Jash is my most hopeful selection
— Gary McKenzie (@ItisNotCricket) June 16, 2019
Latrobe 5.35 Tuesday
— Philyerboots (@PhilRacing) June 16, 2019
Magical-Prince of Wales
— Rob Yetman (@78Roberto856) June 16, 2019
I Can Fly in the DoC
— Nick Palfrey (@8Palfrey8) June 16, 2019
Sir Ron Priestley
— Jason Herridge (@JHerridge91) June 16, 2019
https://twitter.com/chatman_phil/status/1140309799206305793
Fleeting in the Ribblesdale
— andrew (@Galway_don1) June 16, 2019
Royal Hunt Cup Wednesday. Each Way nap (as high place concession as possible) ESCOBAR.
— One Minute Winner (@OneMinuteWin) June 16, 2019
Inns of court
— paul harvey (@pastyduchy) June 16, 2019
Sea of class and Phoenix of Spain 10/1 the double
— Cam ಠ_ಠ (@Cam_074) June 16, 2019
And last but never least….
The first race each day to be off late
— Rhys Williams (@Rhys_N_Williams) June 16, 2019
Me to suffer post-racing-ataxia on Thursday evening after a day under a top hat and require much fluid intake to recover.
— James Moore (@Jamesracing1) June 16, 2019
Mine? You’ll have to wait won’t you.
- Things to look out for….
- As ever, a bumper international crop, including horses from at least nine countries. This includes sprinters Enzo’s Lad (from New Zealand) and Lim’s Cruiser (Singapore), along with the Japanese mare Deirdre, who has managed to get the race moved for better viewing times at home
- Included in this is the team of Wesley Ward, eight strong this year and boasts Diamond Jubilee contender Bound for Nowhere amongst a host of juvenile contenders
- The final crop of the sadly departed Scat Daddy, which includes Sergei Prokofiev (King’s Stand), Qabala (Coronation Stakes), So Perfect (Commonwealth Cup, Jersey Stakes), and Beatboxer (Britannia)
- The return of last year’s Derby winner Masar, who reappears in the Hardwicke on the final day
- Horses you can’t wait to see
And if you need any more reason to make today just fly…
Barney Roy and Waldgeist
— Gary McKenzie (@ItisNotCricket) June 16, 2019
Battash even if against.
— Jon (@CreamOnTop) June 16, 2019
The Hills horse. If it was trained by O Brien it would be 4/6. Murder them in the Irish Guineas.
— Seth ®️ (@seth86232952) June 16, 2019
Boring answer but Stradivarius. Want him to clear up the £1m Stayers races again, be some feat this year
— James (@Goonyella_) June 16, 2019
Riven Light In the Wolferton Stakes. I remember a couple of years ago when Willie Mullins was insistent he wanted to take this horse down under to take on Winx. His reappearance was massively encouraging and double figure odds are easily available now. https://t.co/npklAMtOW2
— Dave Deer (@DaveDeer2) June 16, 2019
Riven Light.
— Patrick Weaver (@WeaverRacing) June 16, 2019
Sunday Sovereign
— Stuart Brodkin (@StuiBro) June 16, 2019
Gulidsman in The Coventry.
— scunnybaldgooner84 (@scunnybaldgoon1) June 16, 2019
Laurensssssss
— Lois (@lowy121) June 16, 2019
Stradivarius
— Hywel Peterson (@hywelpeterson) June 16, 2019
Good luck, and let the Festivities begin!
– William Kedjanyi
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!