Royal Lodge Stakes Tips: A Winner Written In The Stars
Kicking off ITV Racing's Newmarket coverage with a bang on Saturday is the Royal Lodge Stakes, Plenty of high class formlines clash in here and while there are many with a chance, Billy Grimshaw has nailed his colours to the mast...
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I was expecting Wimbledon Hawkeye to head the market here truth be told, and think there's a good chance he will come post time. Perhaps I am therefore being foolish in not simply putting up a horse I think should be favourite when he is available to back at 3/1 and bigger, a full point bigger than the market leader at the time of writing Luther who - to my eye at least - does not bring in credentials of the level Wimbledon Hawkeye does.
He was second last time out in the Acomb behind a horse many expect to go onto superstardom in the fullness of time The Lion In Winter and in behind him that day was another very well regarded horse indeed in Ruling Court for Godolphin, with the trio pulling well clear of the rest of the field. Wimbledon Hawkeye went into my tracker with the simple message "must be good, split two weapons" and he is surely the form choice in here.
Luther has done very little wrong and his form figures of 121 are an indication of his solidity. as is his easy Listed win last time out. I'm not having that he should be favourite ahead of Wimbledon Hawkeye, however. That's enough hype about a horse I'm not tipping though, so onto my selection: ROYAL PLAYWRIGHT.
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This is a horse I am certain has been wanting a mile since probably before his debut and I'm more than happy to forgive him finishing third last time out at Sandown over seven in a Group 3 considering he had to make his own running and was there for the taking by a couple of nippier sorts in behind, who duly obliged. I'd be amazed if he is the front runner again in here considering Puppet Master for Ballydoyle has looked to only know one way of going, like a scolded cat from the front.
It could be dangerous to allow Ryan Moore to much rope out in front but just as I think Royal Playwright set things up for his rivals last time out in the lead, I've a feeling Moore could be powerless to stop Royal Playwright and indeed Wimbledon Hawkeye using him as a pacemaker before the race really gets going. Our pick is a Lope De Vega so the more the merrier when it comes to the rain, and I'll be very disappointed if he cannot manage a good third at minimum if it turns out Wimbledon Hawkeye and Luther are way above average.
I would have Royal Playwright in and around the top two in the betting so 15/2 simply has to be snaffled from our good friends at Midnite and although many would suggest backing a horse at that price each-way, with just seven runners I'll take my chances win only.