Verdict on Royal Ascot 2021 ‘bankers’ as punters hope to beat the bookies

Punters will be hoping for some good results at Royal Ascot this week.

With popular jockey Frankie Dettori riding two of the big favourites, bookies will want their rivals to flourish instead.

Around 12,000 fans have tickets to watch the racing live, at the Queen's favourite meeting.

Here is the lowdown from Mirror Racing on five 'bankers' for the week ahead:

Palace Pier (Queen Anne Stakes, 2.30pm Tuesday)

The Kingman colt won the St James’s Palace Stakes on the card 12 months ago – and doubled his Group 1 tally in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville.

Third in the QEII at Ascot in October, it has been full steam ahead this season.

He won effortlessly at Sandown and then brushed his Lockinge rivals aside.

One of the most exciting milers of recent times and justifiably a short price to keep the stunning run going.

Verdict : Wins

Battaash (King's Stand Stakes, 3.40pm Tuesday)

Charlie Hills’ top sprinter had a setback and it was feared he might miss Ascot altogether.

However he's back on song again and heads the betting for the King's Stand.

He won it comfortably last year at the third attempt, but this year there are some new rivals to conquer.

Very good fresh, Battaash's minor hiccup slightly tempers enthusiasm and on those grounds he can be opposed.

Winter Power and American raider Extravagant Kid add spice to the race, but Oxted is the pick.

A fast pace will be right up his street at this stiff type of track and trainer Roger Teal's race planning, dropping to the minimum trip, can pay off.

Verdict : Take on Battaash with Oxted

Love (Prince Of Wales's Stakes, 4.20pm Wednesday)

A three-time Group 1 winner last season, including the 1000 Guineas and Oaks.

Aidan O’Brien gives the star filly her seasonal debut eight months after she unfortunately had to miss the Arc.

Defending champion Lord North is in opposition, having dominated the Dubai Turf when last seen.

Brilliant here last year, he is fancied to see off Love, with her 300-day absence to overcome.

Verdict : Lord North to beat Love

Mohaafeth (Hampton Court Stakes, 3.05pm Thursday)

Ground conditions led to the smart three-year-old being taken out of the Derby.

William Haggas diverted the Shadwell-owned colt to Ascot, when Epsom's racing surface softened.

Mohaafeth created a big impression when he skipped across the Newmarket turf on May 1, which convinced connections to head for a Classic.

Unbeaten in three starts so far this term, the son of Frankel has the most convincing profile of the runners engaged in the race at this stage.

Given his reputation, backers would hope he would have enough ability to see of Derby sixth One Ruler and the unexposed Movin Time.

Verdict : Wins

Stradivarius (Gold Cup, 4.20pm Thursday)

Thursday of Royal Ascot is the chestnut's favourite date in the calendar.

The winner for the past three years, he bids to join Yeats on four victories.

This season Stradivarius came to hand earlier than usual by winning at the track in April.

Fears over soft ground proved unfounded 12 months ago and this week he'll be back on his favoured quicker surface.

New opponent Subjectivist gave connections a scare when he fell on the way to the gallops on Friday.

Meanwhile confidence is high in the John Gosden camp with Stradivarius enjoying his training as much as ever at the age of seven.

He's very hard to oppose with upwards of 6lb in hand over his rivals.

Verdict : Wins

Top jockey

Frankie Dettori is 11-8 favourite with Ladbrokes to ride the most winners at Royal Ascot this week.

He will be aboard two of the 'bankers', Palace Pier and Stradivarius, as he looks to gain an advantage over main rival Ryan Moore (6-4 with the same firm).

The winner of the award for the past two years, Dettori has more successes at the meeting than any current jockey.

Some of his other key rides include American raider Campanelle (Commonwealth Cup), Albany favourite Flotus and Falcon Eight, a popular pick for the Queen Alexandra Stakes.

Dettori (Lord North) and Moore (Love) feature in an intriguing clash between the two top runners in Wednesday's Prince Of Wales's Stakes.

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “The support has started to pour in for Frankie Dettori being crowned top jockey at Royal Ascot. With 73 winners there under his belt already, it’s no surprise to see that the Italian rider is as popular as ever.”

Jim Crowley (7-1), Oisin Murphy, William Buick (both 12-1) and Hollie Doyle (14-1) are the next four jockeys in the bookmaker's market.

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