Cracksman seems likely to be the first odds-on shot of the meeting in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes next Thursday
Cracksman shortened with several bookmakers on Thursday for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot next week, and John Gosden’s colt now seems likely to be the first odds-on shot of the meeting when he lines up for the feature event on Wednesday, and the only odds-on favourite all week in a Group One event. Before anyone gets too heavily involved, however, a few of the lessons of history when it comes to odds-on chances at the Royal meeting are worth bearing in mind.
Across the week as a whole, a total of 36 horses have set off shorter than evens since 2003. Of those, 20 have returned to the winner’s enclosure, a strike-rate of 55.6%, and a level stake on all 36 would have shown a small loss of 3%.
Related: Frankie Dettori issues glowing report on Cracksman for Royal Ascot
York 1.50 Chapelli 2.20 Mafaaheem 2.55 Mr Buttons 3.30 Imperial State 4.05 Arod 4.40 Gorgeous Noora 5.15 Zeelander
Sandown Park 2.00 Oberyn Martell 2.35 Julius Limbani 3.10 Warsaan
3.45 Aclimatise (nap) 4.20 Daybreak (nb) 4.50 Beringer 5.25 Dagueneau
Newton Abbot 2.10 Settie Hill 2.45 Viconte Du Noyer 3.20 Amour D'Or
3.55 Diakali 4.30 Passing Call 5.00 No No Cardinal 5.30 Rose Crown
Aintree 5.45 Astaroland 6.15 Weinberg 6.50 Ballyboker Breeze 7.20 Cause Toujours 7.55 Indian Temple 8.25 Final Reminder 8.55 Vivant
Chepstow 5.55 Sfumato 6.25 Steeve 7.00 Dashing Poet 7.30 Nutini
8.05 Quantum Dot 8.35 Queen Of Connaught 9.05 Bid Adieu
Goodwood 6.05 Poet's Society 6.35 Nayslayer 7.10 Ship Of The Fen
7.40 Sassie 8.15 Sing Out Loud 8.45 Surya