Timefigure preview: Royal Ascot Wednesday

Cracksman is the headline act in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes and despite the form of his two wins this year being open to question he holds an 11 lb advantage on Timeform ratings and a similar one on timefigures. Along with the Queen’s Vase (forecast favourite Southern France has a best timefigure of 93 and looked very babyish in front when winning a weak Listed race at Navan last time) and the Duke of Cambridge Stakes (form pick Hydrangea has a best timefigure of just 113), the race is one of several on the second day that make little betting appeal from a timefigure perspective.

The Jersey Stakes is one of two that does, however.

This contest is usually one targeted by 2000 Guineas also-rans and Expert Eye fits that bill having yet to live up to the promise of his win (114 timefigure) in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood last summer. Irish 2,000 Guineas fifth Symbolization (113) is also scheduled to line up but the one we are keen on is Emaraaty who flopped in the Dewhurst last term but is back on track this year, finishing an excellent second in a very hot handicap at Goodwood last time.

What a race! Society Power wins the Netbet Sport Handicap @Goodwood_Races in a photo finish and it's another win for
William Haggas pic.twitter.com/TjkXNp3WtR

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) May 26, 2018

He recorded a race-leading timefigure of 119 there and the return to a straight, galloping track - similar to Newbury where he was so impressive last year - promises to improve him again.

Wesley Ward’s Chelsea Cloisters heads the market for the Queen Mary Stakes, but though she was visually impressive when winning on her debut at Keeneland, subsequent races have shown she didn’t beat much and an internal provisional timefigure of 83 (and a TimeformUS figure of 89) for that win seemingly leaves her with a bit to find.

With the exception of those by Scat Daddy, Ward’s recent Ascot runners who started off on dirt haven’t pulled up many trees so there is probably value elsewhere. Catterick winner Second Generation and improving Irish filly Yolo Again (both 92) have the best timefigures, while Shades of Blue quickened up nicely when beating a couple of subsequent winners (including the re-opposing Come On Leicester) on her debut and Clive Cox’s filly has been kept fresh for this since.

Servalan runs here in preference to the Albany, though, and to our eyes will be difficult to beat. Jessica Harrington’s filly (by Scat Daddy’s son No Nay Never) was second at Dundalk on her debut in a sectionally-informative contest (upgrade 53 lb) and she could hardly have been more impressive on her only start since when coming from last to first in a steadily-run Listed race at Naas, a race that her trainer won in 2017 with subsequent Albany runner-up Alpha Centauri. The decision to swerve what looks a hot Albany and run here looks a sensible one.

Recommendation bets:

Back Emaraaty in the Jersey Stakes at 5/1

Back Servalan in the Queen Mary Stakes at 9/1