Flotus can make it a Friendly Friday
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WHEN Frankie Dettori gets on top of a horse trained by the Crisford family, take note.
The Italian operates at a 30 percent strike rate when teaming up with Simon & Ed Crisford and they’ve already had a Royal Ascot winner together with A’Ali in 2019.
He rides FLOTUS in the opening Albany Stakes (2.30pm) on Thursday and based on her debut success at Goodwood, the Crisfords might have a pretty good one on their hands.
She was poorly away and travelled widest of all, but when Silvestre de Sousa pushed the button on the daughter of Starspangledbannershe cleared away in the manner of a very good filly.
At 10/3 she looks a solid bet to get the day off to a flyer.
If you’re looking for a couple to throw into a World Pool Quinella with Tote.co.uk or via the app, I’d recommend Hello You and Eve Lodge.
The former won a Wolverhampton maiden by over six lengths on debut and any filly trained by Ralph Beckett always has to be respected.
Eve Lodge looks well worth stepping up to six furlongs after her win at Lingfield last time where she looked to relish soft ground.
As such, the forecast rain would more than welcome.
Later on the card, it won’t be easy to find the winner of the Sandringham Stakes (5.00pm) with 30 runners set to hurtle down Ascot’s straight mile.
However, the eye is drawn to Aidan O’Brien’s FRIENDLY, who was last seen contesting the Irish 1000 Guineas.
She was travelling arguably better than anything at the two-furlong pole and was far from disgraced in finishing sixth.
It often pays to look to horses stepping back into handicap from Group company in these races at Royal Ascot and the master of Ballydoyle must think he’s got one that’s well-handicapped off a mark of 102.
I can see O’Brien’s inmate being a bit of a gamble before the off and I’d imagine she’ll go off shorter than the current 11/1.
POINTERS
Flotus 2.30pm Ascot
Friendly e/w 5.00pm Ascot
Quinella: Flotus, Hello You, Eve Lodge