Royal Ascot 2021: Diamond Jubilee Stakes Ante-post Preview and Betting Tips

The second, and more valuable, of the two Group 1 sprints run at Royal Ascot, the Diamond Jubilee Stakes is often contested by horses that ran in the King’s Stand Stakes earlier in the week.

In 2021, only two of the ‘fancied’ horses are entered in both races, but the Diamond Jubilee Stakes still looks fiercely competitive.

 

Starman has bright prospects

Starman has been beaten just once in his five-race career, when down the field behind Glen Shiel in the British Champions Sprint, over course and distance, last October. However, trainer Ed Walker was keen to point out that the son of Dutch Art needs ‘top of the ground’ and simply failed to act on the soft going on that occasion. Indeed, Starman looked much more his old self when narrowly beating Nahaarr in the Duke of York Stakes at York on his reappearance in May. If he can build on that performance, he must have a decent chance.

 

Dream Of Dreams is proven at this level

Dream Of Dreams has yet to win on going faster than good, which could be a problem if the forecast June heatwave arrives, although it is worth noting that he was only beaten a head in this race, on good to firm going, two seasons ago. Sir Michael Stoute’s 7-year-old is Group 1 winner over 6 furlongs, having kept on strongly to win the Haydock Sprint Cup last September. He demonstrated his well-being by winning a three-runner Listed race at Windsor in May and fully deserves his position towards the head of the ante-post market.

 

Nahaarr has something to find

Nahaarr didn’t race as a juvenile and remains lightly-raced for a 5-year-old, but has nonetheless won six of his twelve races. He ran well, on disadvantageous terms, when narrowly denied by Starman in the Duke of York Stakes, but the fact that he has 13lb to find with Dream Of Dreams on official ratings sums up his chance on his first attempt at the highest level.

 

Glass Slippers possibly better at 5 furlongs

Glass Slippers is a three-time Group 1 winner over 5 and 5½ furlongs and, while she has won a couple of times of 6 furlongs, her form at this longer distance is not quite at the same level. Along with Nahaarr, she is also entered in the King’s Stand Stakes, with connections not yet committed to one race or the other. Either way, she heads to Royal Ascot without a preparatory race, which is a little off-putting.

 

Art Power may not have his ideal conditions

Art Power made excellent progress throughout his 3-year-old campaign, winning three times and rising 17lb in the weights as a result. He was beaten, but not disgraced, on all three attempts in Group 1 company last season and, again, when finishing sixth, beaten 5¼ lengths, behind Starman in the Duke of York Stakes. He started favourite on that occasion but, while he should improve for the run, he appears to have a distinct preference for rain-softened ground.

Starman is progressive and should improve for his reappearance, but maybe not enough to beat Dream Of Dreams, who still has little bit in hand on official figures.

 

Selection: Dream Of Dreams (5/1 with Paddy Power)

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