SAHorseracing.com
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Commonwealth Cup Loses Favor with Punters at Royal Ascot

The Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot experienced a significant drop in popularity this year, moving from its previous position within the top ten most engaging races to just outside the bottom ten. This decline, highlighted by Coral's turnover figures for all 35 races, underscores the impact of this year's Euro 2024 tournament on betting activities.

The first day of Ascot saw a betting boost, as there was no 2pm kick-off in Germany. Several races, including the St James's Palace Stakes, Coventry Stakes, King Charles III Stakes, and Queen Anne Stakes, benefited from increased punter engagement. The St James's Palace Stakes, won by Rosallion, notably climbed to third in the turnover table from 13th in 2023.

Conversely, the Commonwealth Cup, a 6f Group 1 race won by Inisherin, saw a sharp decline in betting interest, falling from ninth place in 2023 to 24th this year. The race's future as a Group 1 event is now uncertain, with the European Pattern Committee considering a downgrade based on this year's assessment.

The most popular race among Coral punters was the Jersey Stakes, won by Haatem of Wathnan Racing. The Chesham Stakes and Albany Stakes also ranked high in popularity, featuring standout performances from Bedtime Story and Fairy Godmother, respectively. 

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