Recommended bets: Simon Holt
2pts win Crystal Ocean in 3.05 Ascot at 3/1
2pts win Sixties Groove in 5.35 Ascot at best morning price
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Friday's King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot could provide one of the bets of the week in the form of CRYSTAL OCEAN, who has been laid out for this since finishing third in last month's Dante Stakes at York,
Well touted before that race, having previously won his maiden at Nottingham, the exceptionally well-related son of Sea The Stars put up an eye-catching display, staying on well behind Permian and Benbatl (Wolf Country fifth) and appearing, as his breeding would suggest, to be crying out for this mile and a half trip.
One would have thought that Crystal Ocean is likely to improve a good deal and, if on a par with his siblings Crystal Capella (three times a Group Two winner at a mile and a half) and Hillstar (who won this race in 2013), looks very much the one to beat in his attempt to give Sir Michael Stoute an eighth victory in this race.
In addition, it has to be in the selection's favour that he skipped the Derby, and Epsom also-rans Best Solution (eighth to Wings Of Eagles), Glencadam Glory (ninth), Permian (tenth), Salouen (13th) and Khalidi (14th) all have to prove they have recovered from their exertions.
Permian was a big disappointment on Derby Day and ran like a non-stayer having turned for home in sixth place while Salouen would have finished much closer but for twice being stopped in his run up the home straight.
One of the more interesting rivals to Crystal Ocean is Best Of Days who returns after an eight-month lay-off.
Hugo Palmer's colt, a beautiful, scopy individual, was being aimed at a Classic earlier this season but has taken time to come to hand. He showed abundant promise when winning two of his three juvenile starts at Sandown and Newmarket (Royal Lodge Stakes) though the form has taken some knocks since.
All eyes will be on the dual Guineas winner WINTER in the Coronation Stakes, and the daughter of Galileo has looked truly dominant at both Newmarket and The Curragh, on the latter occasion slamming stable-mates Roly Poly and Hydrangea by over four lengths.
Ground versatile, she will start at cramped odds and should take all the beating.
Value hunters might take a chance with Dabyah who won the Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury in good style, though the runner-up Urban Fox was subsequently well beaten behind Winter in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.
French Guineas winner Precieuse is also a potentially serious rival though, on balance, the form of the William Haggas-trained Deauville runner-up Sea Of Grace suggests she may have something to find with the favourite, and both her career wins have come on very soft ground.
Aidan O'Brien is also likely to field a short-priced favourite for the Commonwealth Cup in which CARAVAGGIO, winner of the Coventry Stakes here last year, bids to extend his unbeaten record to six.
Rated very highly, the son of Scat Daddy picked up in impressive fashion on his reappearance at Naas and looks to have tremendous pace.
However, this is no straightforward task up against Blue Point and Harry Angel who were first and second here earlier in the season. Harry Angel now gets a 4lb pull for a length and a half beating and has since scooted up at Haydock, but the pair look evenly matched.
Neither Winter or Caravaggio really appeal from a punting perspective at their likely short odds, and SIXTIES GROOVE might prove a more rewarding play in the closing Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap.
Gelded since last season, Jeremy Noseda's four-year-old caught the eye on his reappearance at Epsom over an inadequate mile staying on well without being at all knocked about and his form over middle distances last season warrants much respect.
Successful three times, he posted an excellent effort when chasing home the now Group class Poet's Word at Goodwood last July and then endured a rough passage when fourth at Newmarket.
On his final start last term, Sixties Groove was ridden with plenty of confidence by Adam Kirby before beating Rock Steady by half a length at Kempton since when the runner-up has gone up 12lb in the ratings. I expect a big run.
Posted at 1100 BST on 22/06/2016
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