Horsebetting.com experts think Expert Eye is worth a bet to provide trainer Sir Michael Stoute with another winner of the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot on Wednesday, 20 June. Irish raider Could It Be Love rates the biggest danger, whilst James Garfield odds appeal each way. Read our 2018 Jersey Stakes betting tips preview to find out why.Expert Eye looks decent value in Jersey Stakes
Sir Michael Stoute has saddled more winners of the Group 3 Jersey Stakes than any other trainer, so his Expert Eye looks worth a bet to land this year’s renewal of the 7f contest which brings proceedings to a close at Royal Ascot on Wednesday, 20 June (17:35).
The Newmarket handler has won the race a record five times courtesy of Etienne Gerard (1977), Hard Fought (1980), Zilzal (1989), Among Men (1997), and Jeremy (2006).
In Expert Eye, he has a colt who looked a potential superstar when following up his debut win with a scintillating performance in the Group 3 Vintage Stakes over 7f at Goodwood.
After being held-up in mid-division, the Prince Khalid Abdullah owned son of Acclamation made smooth headway to take up the running on the bridle two from home before surging clear to slam Zaman by 4 1/2 lengths.
Expert Eye was sent off the 4/7 favourite for the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on the back of that success, but was never travelling well and was one of the first beaten. He trailed in a distant last of nine to US Navy Flag and it was a display which left connections baffled.
Expert Eye has had just two runs this season, finishing a solid half-a-length second James Garfield, who re-opposes here, on return to action in the Group 3 Greenham Stakes over at Nebwury when racing too keenly early doors on ground which was softer than ideal.
He then never got competitive when 10th of 14 to Saxon Warrior in the 2000 Guineas over 1m at Newmarket, but this is far easier than the first British Classic. The drop back to 7f is also sure to suit and Expert Eye remains with potential now that he has his optimum conditions.
Could It Be Love for O’Brien? Could It Be Love brings Classic form into the contest and looks sure to make a bold bid to provide all-conquering Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien with a fourth winner of the race.
The daughter of War Front posted a career best effort when runner-up in the Group 1 Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh last month.
Could It Be Love, who was sent off 33/1, took up the running early and after kicking clear looked likely to cause an upset as the field turned for home.
The pack then began to reel her in, but she stuck to the task well to find only Alpha Centauri 1 3/4 lengths too good.
Could It Be Love had some smart sorts in-behind and this represents a drop in class and trip.
Going back down to 7f will also hold no fears, given the speed she showed, and Could It Be Love could prove hard to peg back if allowed to dominate.
James Garfield an each-way playOf those at bigger odds, the aforementioned James Garfield looks overpriced and well worth considering from an each-way punting perspective.
The George Scott trained colt was a smart two-year-old, with his second success coming in the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury.
James Garfield also ran well when seventh of 13 in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and showed that he had trained on when landing a Group 3 over 7f at Newbury by half-a-length from Expert Eye.
He also wasn’t disgraced when seventh of 14 to Saxon Warrior in 2000 Guineas, or when fourth last time out over 6f at Haydock when doing his best work at the finish.
James Garfield looks a real 7f specialist, while his form makes him a player in this despite having to shoulder a Group penalty and give weight to all his rivals.
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