Well, Ladies Day was probably the best ever big race meeting Systemlays have tipped online in over 5 years! Not content with getting Reignier 2nd each-way at an S.P. of 50-1 in the opener (the horse went odds-on in running), we finished the day with our each-way selection Cosmic Sun winning the final handicap – at an S.P. pf 66-1, we were matched at over 100-1 on Betfair! We had another 100% successful laying day at Royal Ascot – the third in succession, also – a run which saw us lay strongly fancied favourite Leocorno at under 2-1.

Royal Ascot Friday should hopefully continue this great form on our part. Let’s get on with the serious business of providing our betting tips – for backers and layers – for Day 4 of Royal Ascot 2009.

2:30 Albany Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies) 6f

This race should consist of just two horses: the guest from the USA, AEGEAN (NAP), and our top rated UK horse, Lillie Langtry. While we don’t have any stats on Aegean itself, on Wednesday this horse’s stablemate, Jealous Again, obliterated a very classy field over 5 furlongs. This horse beat Jealous Again last time out. If he gets 6 furlongs, he will win this race.

Core Element is our suggested lay, though we would seriously consider laying anything under 10-1 outside of the top two in the market.

3:05 King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings) 1m4f

If we forgive Black Bear Island an under par run in The Derby, we think it is rated top of the pile here. The next best horse in the Edward VII is Aqwall. We’d recommend a small win bet on Black Bear Island with an each-way bet on Aqwall to cover it. If you like reverse forecasts (Combination Tote Exacta) then that could be a decent bet here too, for small stakes. Not a race to go crazy about, because of the improvement from last time which we are trusting Black Bear Island to make, but that’s how we rank them.

Mich Channon’s Montaff has shown nothing on course which indicates he is of this standard – a solid lay bet is recommended.

3:45 Coronation Stakes (Group 1) (Fillies) 1m BBC2

This is the closest races on our ratings of the meeting so far – pretty amazing considering this is a level weights race! The top seven horses are covered by just 11 points in our system – to put this into perspective, Black Bear Island is 8 points ahead of all others in the previous race (and yet is a tentative bet). As a result, we cannot tip any of these to win, though if you are looking for a horse to make up a placepot or Jackpot, then Ghanaati and Nashmiah look like the best of a good group here.

Laying, on the other hand, is easier here: we think Lahaleeb will find a few of these too good. We’ll be laying it to win and place.

4:20 Wolferton Handicap (Listed Race) 1m2f BBC2

Another tight handicap here, where we select three that look well weighted: Salute Him, Stone of Scone and Moonquake should all be worthwhile each-way investments.

Halicarnassus, under top weight, looks unlikely to take this race, having passed up easier opportunities in the past: a good laying opportunity.

4:55 Queen´s Vase (Group 3) 2m BBC2

Talimos and Dhushan look the most likely winners of the 2009 Queen’s Vase. Our ratings put them very close in terms of ability, so we recommend ‘dutching ‘ these two (backing each to win the same amount) – e.g. put £20 on Dhushan @ 3-1 (to win £60) and put £2.50 on Talimos @ 25-1 (to win £62.50). An each-way bet on just Talimos is also a good bet. Either way, bet this with small stakes, or just play the two selections in a Placepot.

Lord of the Flame has only ever run once, finishing last. We would recommend laying it, but the price is likely to be huge. You may also consider laying the considerably shorter priced Tactic.

5:30 Buckingham Palace Stakes (Heritage Handicap) 7f

The last race of Royal Ascot Friday is another of these monster Heritage Handicaps. We think the winner could well come from Celtic Sultan, Horatio Carter or Six of Hearts. As always, we recommend an each-way bet on each of these horses. We particularly liked Six of Hearts last time out win – carrying 10 stone – at Naas, which is the top rated performance of any of these horses have mustered recently. However, under today’s conditions, the other two have a slightest of edges on that horse, based on their ability and the weights carried.

Top Weight, Racer Forever and bottom weight Slugger O’Toole are both horses which haven’t shown any recent form whatsoever which indicates they will go close here: we’ll be laying both of these.