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Wednesday, June 20: Hayley Turner's Royal Ascot Picks

by Hayley Turner, GBI Racing

June 19, 2018

GBI Racing Ambassador and former leading jockey, Hayley Turner, gives her expert insight on Wednesday's Racing.

Race 1 (9:30AM ET) – Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2)
#17 SHADES OF BLUE (5/1)
Clive Cox won this race last year and I was impressed with this horse, who won going away at the finish over the same course and distance.

Race 2 (10:05AM ET) – Queen's Vase Stakes (Group 2)
#9 SOUTHERN FRANCE (5/2)
Aidan O'Brien's horses tend to improve with age and he has a good record in this race. I feel the extra distance will help this horse, despite being lightly raced.
 
Race 3 (10:40AM ET) – Duke of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2)
#8 TRIBUTE ACT (20/1) – Bet of the day
I know the horse having ridden her out last year for James Fanshawe. She was always going to be a nice four-year-old and James has won this race before at a big price. She made a pleasing return to Ascot last month.
 
Race 4 (11:20PM ET) – Prince of Wales's Stakes (Group 1)
#2 CRACKSMAN (1/2)
Bit of a boring selection here but he's a class act. Everyone was a bit worried after his Epsom run but he banged his head in the stalls so you can forgive him for not being as flashy as expected and he still won a Group 1. Last year all he did was improve as the year went on and he'll be better for his seasonal debut.