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Royal Ascot Day 1

I'm sure everyone is excited this morning looking forward to a great week of racing. While the quality is undoubted, even on a normal year Ascot can be difficult for punters so the general advice would be to tread carefully. Hopefully we can find a winner or two through the week. 

In the concluding handicap, Coeur De Lion has a solid each-way chance. He has been ultra consistent in the top staying handicaps over the past couple of years (including when fifth in this race last year) and the possibility of a first-time visor eeking out a little more improvement gives added hope. If the ground was to deteriorate further, it would only be a bonus as he is very effective on soft ground and it may inconvenience some of the others. He is only 3lb higher than when winning impressively at Chester last May and the stable are in excellent form. I thought last year's race was much deeper and I am confident he can hit the frame again at least.

1 pt eway Coeur De Lion (14/1 general Paddy Power (6 places), Betfair, Bet365, William Hill) Ascot 4.40 *use firms paying first 5

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