Willie Mullins doesn’t have too many Flat runners at Ascot but he has had a very good week with what he sent over. Vauban scooted clear to bolt up in the Copper Horse handicap and stablemate Absurde chased him home in second. Mullins has one more runner at Royal Ascot this week and the horse in question has won the race the last two years so he is bound to be popular. Make sure you check out our free horse racing tips for Saturday on the website!
The horse we are talking about is Stratum, who has won the Queen Alexandra Stakes the last two years running. The 10 year old may be shoving on in years now, but a 12 year old won the race back in 2009 so he might be able to get the job done again despite his age.
Leading jockey William Buick has been booked for the ride and he will be very eager to cap off his week with a winner as up to the time of writing this article, Charlie Appleby has had a very poor week by his high standards and as a consequence Buick has suffered for it too.
Ryan Moore rode Stratum to victory two years ago but Buick was aboard last year so he knows the horse well. He wasn’t close to his best when down the field in the Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes at Leopardstown last month but that was just a prep run for this and he is likely to be back to his best up in distance here. Best of luck if you have a bet.
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