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The Jersey Stakes is a Group 3 race that was first run in 1919 and is for three-year-olds only. It is run over 7F and usually attracts sprinters stepping up in trip and those just shy of Guineas class dropping back a furlong. Sir Michael Stoute is the leading trainer with six wins stretching back 46 years to his first-ever Royal Ascot winner Etienne Gerard. Favourites have a good record in the race having won five of the last ten runnings.
Here are my thoughts on each of the runners to see which horses offer the best value for their Royal Ascot odds ahead of the race. You can also find my three selections below.
Mysterious Night
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: William Buick
Not seen since flopping in Craven Stakes at Newmarket in April. Drops a furlong here and has been gelded since. Has to shoulder a 5lb penalty for his Grade 1 win in America last September which won’t make things easy for him.
The Antarctic
Trainer: A P O’Brien
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Consistent sort who scraped home in a Group 3 at Naas last time out for which he is penalised 3lb here. Had some decent juvenile form and is trying a new trip here going up to 7F.
Age Of Kings
Trainer: A P O’Brien
Jockey: Wayne Lordan
Looks like Aiden O’Brien’s second string if the jockey bookings are to be believed. His only run this season was when 10th in Irish 2000 Guineas (beaten 7 3/4L) behind Paddington. It would be a shock if he was to feature.
Alexander John
Trainer: Luke Comer
Jockey: Tom Marquand
Still a maiden after eight starts though wasn’t totally disgraced in Irish 2000 Guineas last time. That was presumably a fluke and a no-hoper here.
Covey
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Progressive Frankel colt who made all to win the prestigious Betfred Silver Bowl Handicap at Haydock last month. Drops a furlong but that shouldn’t be a problem and can make the most and holds a big chance for his top connections.
Empty Metaphor
Trainer: Mohammed Bin Hamad Khalifa Al Attiyah
Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Limerick maiden winner on soft ground in April for Ms Claire O’Connell. Changed stables since and has plenty to find on the book.
Enfjaar
Trainer: Roger Varian
Jockey: Jim Crowley
Unbeaten in two starts in a Newmarket maiden on the easy ground last October and when a very easy winner of a Chelmsford novice stakes last month by 6L from Lion Tamer (beaten since). Hard to evaluate but visually looked smart last time and drops a furlong here today.
Flight Plan
Trainer: K R Burke
Jockey: Daniel Tudhope
Good effort at Newcastle on the all-weather on re-appearance in April when runner up in listed company to Dear My Friend. Was next seen when a 40/1 chance and beating just one home in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. Drops a furlong here.
Holguin
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: David Probert
Only won once out of his eight starts but has been runner-up on his last three starts to some fair sorts with last time going down by the re-opposing Olivia Maralda to the tune of 2 1/2L. 2lb better off today but that may not be enough to turn the tables on Varian’s improving filly.
Holloway Boy
Trainer: K R Burke
Jockey: Clifford Lee
Joint highest rated of these and was a decent juvenile, winning his first time out in the listed Chesham Stakes at this meeting and kept Group company for the rest of the season culminating in his third in the Vertem Futurity at Doncaster won by Auguste Rodin. Finished 9th in 2000 Guineas on re-appearance and no shock were he to bounce back today.
Quar Shamardal
Trainer: Mrs Jessica Harrington
Jockey: Ronnie Whelan
Dundalk winner in April prior to stepping up in grade when finishing a highly credible 6th of 11 to Paddington in Irish 2000 Guineas. Stable among the winners already this week and the drop down a furlong is unlikely to worry him. Good each-way claims.
Streets Of Gold
Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton
Jockey: Charles Bishop
Unbeaten in five starts as a two-year-old. Ran well at Epsom Downs following wind surgery when third to Olivia Maralda and Holguin but has it to do to turn the tables on that pair.
Thunderbear
Trainer: Jack W Davison
Jockey: Jamie Spencer
Much improved form when running fourth in Naas Group 3 won by The Antarctic last time over 6F. Goes up in trip now and is hard to fancy.
Zoology
Trainer: James Ferguson
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Beat Covey a neck at Southwell back in April but flopped in Greenham at Newbury on the soft ground since. Looks overpriced for one that’s beaten the current favourite.
Olivia Maralda
Trainer: Roger Varian
Jockey: Kevin Stott
Useful as a juvenile for Michael O’Callaghan in Ireland. Joined Roger Varian at Newmarket and ran well to finish 7th in the 1000 Guineas prior to a comfortable victory in the listed Surrey Stakes at Epsom by 2 1/2L from Holguin and Streets Of Gold who both re-oppose. Looks sure to go well with conditions in her favour.
Jersey Stakes Betting Tips
The favourite Covey is a fast-improving colt trained by the Gosden’s and ridden by Frankie Dettori who looks to hold an outstanding chance dropping back to 7F. Expect to see him to the fore early. The only filly in the race, Olivia Maralda, impressed last time at trip and the ground looks ideal as she looks the biggest danger. The best outsider may be James Ferguson’s Zoology who got stuck in the mud last time and had previously beaten Covey.
1. Covey @ 9/4 with Bet365 bonus code
2. Olivia Maralda @ 10/1 e/w with Bet365 (Paying top 4 places at 1/5 odds)
3. Zoology @ 25/1 e/w with William Hill promo code (Paying top 4 places at 1/5 odds)
All odds are available at the time of writing.
