Royal Ascot 2024

You have found the Girdys Gee Gees Royal Ascot page. Here you will find all the Royal Ascot tips, Royal Ascot news and details of the betting for all thirty-five races at Royal Ascot 2024. If you were looking for Royal Ascot dress code advice and fashion hints you are on the wrong page, sorry, horses I know, strappy dresses and big hats, not so much! 

Prize money for Royal Ascot 2024 will be a record £10,050,000 million and all Group One races will be run for a minimum of £650,000. Beginning Tuesday 18th June and concluding on Saturday 22nd June the gates open at 10.30am on all five days with the Royal Procession due at 2.00pm and the first race each day off at 2.30pm with the last at 6.10pm. 

ITV and Sky Sports Racing will be broadcasting live throughout all five days. Sky Sports Racing will show all seven races each day along with plenty of insight and interviews and they have a Royal Ascot preview show at 7pm on Tuesday 13th June. ITV have announced (5th June) that they will also show all the races though it will involve a fair bit of channel hopping. The schedule is: Tuesday 18th June: ITV1 13.30-18.00 / ITV4 18.00-18.30 Wednesday 19th June: ITV4 13.30-16.15 / ITV1 16.15-18.00 / ITV4 18.00-18.30 Thursday 20th June: ITV4 13.30-16.15 / ITV1 16.15-18.00 / ITV4 18.00-18.30 Friday 21st June: ITV1 13.30-16.15 / ITV4 16.15-18.30 Saturday 22nd June: ITV1 13.30-16.15 / ITV4 16.15-18.40. he daily hour-long editions of The Opening Show, presented by Oli Bell, will air at 09.30 from Tuesday to Saturday on ITV4. 

Royal Ascot 2024 Ante-Post Portfolio

Update: A frustrating week in which I had winning bets everyday of the five days but couldn't quite get my nose in front at any point sees me finish the week -10.2 points to level stakes; a small lose every single day. It was a great meeting, some fantastic performances, exciting finishes and the sun shone every day. Roll on 2025. 

Royal Ascot Saturday

Day five dawns and with a bit of luck I have a winner or seven to finish the week with a bang. I go into the last day -6.5 points to level stakes. The sun is shining, the going is good-good to firm in places and it should be another dry day if a little cloudier on Saturday. Here we go again…………

2.30pm The Chesham Stakes (Listed) 2yrs Seven furlongs

Bedtime Story was a debut winner, at Leopardstown over 7½f, and the daughter of Frankel is an obvious one for the shortlist, though a low draw probably doesn’t help her. Out of G.1 winning sprinter, including the G.1 Nunthorpe Stakes, Mecca’s Angel she certainly has a pedigree to be taken seriously and she gets the 5lb from the colts. Teme Valley Racing recently shelled out £400,000 for Pentle Bay after that one won at Leicester over six-furlongs showing a good attitude to get up in a three-way photo. €625,000 yearling Frankel colt Age Of Gold went on the list for this week after winning readily over six-furlongs at Yarmouth on debut last month. One crack from Buick saw this one go clear there and he certainly looked to have more to offer and the type to go on. Out of Promised Money he is a full-brother to Group-placed 6f winner Fivethousandtoone, one I have tipped a few times, as well as a half-brother to three other winners. I am on at 4-1 this morning. 

3.05pm The Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) 4yrs+ One mile, four furlongs

St Leger winner Continuous is the obvious place to start here. Far from disgraced when fifth in the 1m4f G.1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe when last seen. He will be running in bigger races than this as the season progresses but it looks a good starting point before potential tilts at theG.1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes back here in high summer and I would assume the Breeders Cup Turf or the Arc come autumn. I noted Aidan O’Brien saying in an interview “We think there’s more to come from him and hopefully he can make a strong start to his season at Royal Ascot.” He has the lack of a recent run to overcome but is the class act in the field. I am on at 2-1. Middle Earth can chase him home with Desert Hero likely to pick-up some nice prizemoney for the King.

3.45pm The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) 4yrs+ Six furlongs

I thought for some time that this looked like one of the most competitive races of the week. The draw may not be as significant here with just the fourteen runners but has to be considered. Art Power will do what Art Power does but surely the ground is too fast for him to be at his best. Kinross started his season off in this last year and clearly needed the run and I think that will likely be the case again this season; surely the usual 7f races are the main targets in 2024. Last years winner Khaadem is back to defend his crown but that was a shock win last year and a repeat looks unlikely. Mill Stream has started the season well and got his head in front in the G.2 1895 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes last time. I have been tipping Shouldvebeenaring this season, on three of his four runs in fact this season, and the four-year-old will surely go close here. He’ll be out the back early but if he can hold on to their coattails for the first couple of furlongs, they should go a fair pace early, he can power through the field late to finish in the places at least surely. I am on at 12-1 each-way (⅕ 4 places)

4.25pm The Jersey Stakes (Group 3) 3yrs Seven furlongs

I noted a few days back Aidan O’Brien saying this was the target for River Tiber at the meeting and the colt immediately went to the head of my shortlist. Third in the Irish 2,000 Guineas on his seasonal reappearance behind Rossallion and Haatem that looks pretty strong form bearing in mind that pairs efforts at HQ in the 2,000 Guineas. He won the G.2 6f Coventry Stakes here last year (I tipped him) before chasing home Vandeek a couple of times over six-furlongs so it’s hard to knock any of his form. He had entries in a couple of G.1’s here this week and should have too much in his locker for the opposition in this line-up. In the stable tour interview O’Brien said “The plan is to run him in the Jersey Stakes. He ran very well in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and in fairness, you couldn’t say he didn’t get the mile, but he does show a lot of pace and we feel the Jersey Stakes is a nice spot for him. We’ll learn more about him there, but it wouldn’t be at all out of the question that he could go back up to a mile after the Jersey. We’ll be guided by what we see from him there. He’s a horse we’ve always held in high regard and we’ll looking forward to him.” I am on at 6-4. Haatem, now in the ownership of Wathnan Racing, is the obvious danger after his runs in the Guineas at HQ and out in Ireland following his victory in the Craven earlier this season. Task Force, seventh in the  2000 Guineas Stakes, could go close if he behaves in the prelims, was sweating at HQ, whilst Kikkuli is a possible improver.

5.05pm The Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (0-110) 3yrs+ Six furlongs

A proper head scratcher of a handicap as the meeting draws to its now traditional tricky end for us punters with three puzzles to solve to close the five-days. Fivethousantoone had a couple of wins on the All-Weather earlier this year, including the BetUK All-Weather Sprint Handicap, and is clearly in good heart but a mark of 105 would require a career best from the six-year-old here. Dark Trooper is another Wathnan Racing purchase, this one bought back in January, just before the big meetings at Doha over in Qatar. He ran okay there without winning before returning to Europe to win a Conditions race at Saint-Cloud last time. He won a couple of times over track and trip when with Ed Walker last season and has to be shortlisted though his mark of 102 means he also requires a career best effort on paper here. Albasheer started 2024 with a couple of wins which saw the chestnut gelding rise to 110 in the ratings. Back down to 98 now he can be forgiven an average effort in the G.2 Prix du Gros-Chene last time on ground that was probably too soft and his new mark of 100 gives him a chance as does the draw as he breaks from 31. Archie Watson knows how to ready one for a race like this and Hollie Doyle is due a winner. Well beaten by Fivethousantoone at Newcastle back in March in the BetUK All-Weather Sprint Handicap Cover Up was actually favourite for that, I tipped him. Not seen since he has gone well in the past fresh band I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he is capable of a big run off a mark of 101. He pulled far too much on All-Weather Finals day last time but if he settles here breaking from stall 29 he’ll have a chance. By Exceed And Excel the top-class Aussie speedster, champion sire in Australia and top-class source in Europe out of a winning Pivotal mare Hushing he is related to the likes of Stable mate and Listed winner Mischief Magic and the yards Group winner Sound & Silence who were both by this ones Grandam Veil Of Silence; he is bred for the job. I have taken a chance at 22-1 each-way (⅕ 6 places).

5.35pm The Golden Gates Stakes (Handicap) (Class 2) (0-105) 3yrs One mile, two furlongs

The grey filly Treasure, in the ownership of the King, was fourth to stablemate You Got To Me (fourth in the G.2 Ribblesdale Stakes earlier this week) in the Listed 1m3f Lingfield Oaks Trial on her three-year-old debut in May before finishing down the field in the Oaks itself last time. A mark of 95 looks workable with the drop back in trip probably also a plus; the cheekpieces go on for this. Following a couple of seconds on the All-Weather earlier this year an impressive success over 1m2f at Windsor last time stepping up in trip and returning to Turf puts Approval in the could be anything bracket. She made every yard there and similar tactics can be expected this afternoon. The yard had a couple of winners at Newmarket last night hopefully they'll have another today in the shape of Treasure Time) and all being well Approval can but them on the board here at Ascot where they have gone close a couple of times this week but are yet to take a victory as of this morning. I'm on this one at 6-1. 

6.10pm The Queen Alexandra Stakes (Conditions) (Class 2) 4yrs+ Two miles, six furlongs

The lucky last of the week which happens to be the longest race of the week, in fact the longest Flat race of the year, and once again a puzzle to solve. Run For Oscar is back having finished third last year and has to be considered for that old shrewdie Charles Byrnes. Dawn Rising won this last year for Joseph O'Brien and is also back for more, but he has hasn't won again since and remains on a mark 3lb higher than he was on in 2023. Queenstown has chased home Gold Cup winner Kyprios twice already this season and is interesting stepping up to a marathon trip. The son of Galileo is a relatively lightly raced four-year-old and if he see's out the trip will surely be on the premises at the end. I am taking the chance he stays and have 100-30 this morning and hopefully he can put the tin hat on a good day, and week, for 'the lads' from Ballydoyle with the yard signing off with another winner. 

Royal Ascot Friday

The fourth day of Royal Ascot has four Group races and three tricky handicaps for us to have a go at. After another couple of winning bets on Thursday I find myself at -5 points to level stakes after the first three days; it’s been close but no cigar for me as yet. My seven for Friday follow.

2.30pm The Albany Stakes (Group 3) 2yrs fillies Six furlongs

The big guns of Ballydoyle and Godolphin dominate the market for this. Heavens Gate was being aimed at the G.2 Queen Mary Stakes so the fact she has swapped for this looks strange. Fairy Godmother on the other hand always had this as her target Aidan O’Brien saying in the build-up “She has always worked like a really good filly. We couldn’t see her being beaten on her debut at Naas, but when she got there to challenge, she started looking all over the place and was beaten. So, for her second start we set out with the intention of riding her much quieter and teaching her as much as we could. She quickened up really well from off the pace to win narrowly and for us she could be rated a fair bit better than the bare form. She seems to have come forward again and is a really lovely prospect.” Royalty Bay cost £25,000 at the Breeze-up sales and made a winning debut at Ripon, missed the break and was green, which looked a fair race. In an interview with RaceShare Sean Quinn nominated this as her target and he certainly thinks she is a black-type filly. Mountain Breeze arrives from Moulton Paddocks with two wins to her name, at HQ over 5f on debut then 6f last month, and the chestnut daughter of Lope De Vega was impressive on both occasions. All six of her siblings have been winners including of course champion two-year-old Pinatubo. Drawn twelve of the seventeen looks a plus and there should be a fair amount of early pace that side for the chestnut to follow early, the concern is the form of the yards runners this week so far though they had a winner at Wolverhampton last night.  Charlie Appleby said of her “Mountain Breeze goes to Ascot in good order, having won both her starts. She brings in a bit of experience, which I feel is needed in these two-year-old races, and we hope that can follow in the footsteps of her brother. She was impressive over six furlongs on her latest start and looks a live player.” I am on at 15-4 early. 

3.05pm The Commonwealth Cup (Group 1) 3yrs colts & fillies Six furlongs

I backed Vandeek for this at 11-4 a while back before his comeback in Haydock's G.2 Sandy Lane Stakes where he was third, sadly he is not here due to an abnormal blood count earlier this week. With Bucanero Fuerte also out the race suddenly has a different look to it. Winner of the G2 Sandy Lane Stakes Inisherin enters calculations with owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum holding a strong hand with his Elite Status, winner of the Listed Carnarvon Stakes, also on the shortlist if he runs, he is a possible non-runner listening to Karl Burke yesterday; they are both drawn low though which is a slight concern the way results have panned out this week up the straight. Jasour won the G.3 Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes over track and trip last time out so has to be considered but he couldn’t live with the best as a two-year-old and the form of the Ascot win looks average at best. Starlust is by far the most experienced of those lining-up and has some top-class form not least when third to Big Evs in G.1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint last November. Put a disappointing run behind Jasour in the trial over C&D at the start of May on his first start here in the UK of the season behind him when producing a really smart handicap performance at York over five-furlongs four-weeks ago; had two good efforts out at Meydan earlier in the year before those runs here in Blighty. Blinkers go on for the first time and at 15-2 he is the tentative pick. 

3.45pm The Coronation Stakes (Group 1) 3yrs fillies Old Mile

Opera Singer arrives with a point to prove having been the winter favourite for the 1,000 Guineas a niggle help up her preparations and she was eventually seen for the first time this season in the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh where she was third. I remain convinced she is top-class, took the mile G.1 Prix Marcel Boussac at ParisLongchamp in October in the style of a very good one, and the Curragh run being her first for nearly eight months you’d expect her to come on plenty for the outing. Aidan O’Brien said recently “We’re really looking forward to seeing her in the Coronation Stakes. She had a hold-up earlier this year and we felt we had to run her in the Irish 1,000 Guineas if she was going to make it to Royal Ascot. She hadn’t been away for a work and really, we didn’t expect her to run as well as she did at the Curragh as we didn’t think she had nearly enough work done. It says plenty about how much class and ability she has that she ran so well. She looks to have come forward at home just as we hoped she would since then and she’s one to look forward to.” Taking into account she clearly wasn’t 100% in the Irish Guineas her effort to finish third looks all the better, plus many of her stablemates have improved for their first runs of the season, so I fully expect her to have improved for the run. I have the 2-1 this morning. Porta Fortuna was beaten a neck in the 1,000 Guineas at HQ, perhaps a little unlucky not to win. Trained by Donnacha O’Brien she was bred by Whisperview Trading Ltd, a company owned by Donnacha’s Ma and Pa Anne Marie O'Brien and Aidan O’Brien, so it’s a family affair with this one. The Newmarket race was a bit messy and those that were on the pace early faded out of it with all but Ramatuelle (third) coming from off the pace. The winner Elmalka wouldn’t be my choice if we run the race again and I can’t see her winning this; I’d fancy Porta Fortuna and Ramatuelle to both beat her here. See The Fire, a member of my Dirty Dozen for the year, is best watched for now after a poor run in the 1,000 Guineas. 

4.25pm The Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap) (Class 2) (0-105) 3yrs+ One mile, four furlongs

We have a relatively short-priced jolly here in the shape of Ethical Diamond. Having been hurdling over the winter, run in the G.1 Triumph Hurdle, the four-year-old lost out by a nose over 1m2f at Leopardstown in his prep for this, shaping as if he would relish a step up in trip on the flat. The booking of Ryan Moore naturally catches the eye for the yard of Willie Mullins and he could have quite a chunk in hand on his current Turf rating of 94 when you consider the company he was keeping over obstacles earlier this year. I have some of the 5-2. Johnny Murtagh doesn’t send many over the Irish Sea and they often run well when he does so Safecracker is worth consideration. A staying on fifth over 1m2f on his seasonal reappearance a mark of 101 requires a career best but the Godolphin owned son of Golden Horn has a chance to pick up some decent prizemoney at the least in this. Dirty Dozen member La Yakel is a non-runner with the ground too quick. 

5.05pm The Sandringham Stakes (Handicap) (Class 2) (0-105) 3yrs fillies One mile

Johnny Murtagh has Asian Daze in here but she appears to be high enough in the ratings at the moment. Disqualified from a very good run at Killarney on her third start, she was second beaten a neck by the odds-on jolly, due to her rider carrying the wrong allowance. Joseph O’Brien only entered Uluru at Listowel last time as she needed to run again to qualify for this. She ran well in third considering as the trainer himself put it when talking about the course “was always likely to be too sharp for her and this course and distance will be much more to her liking.” Bearing that in mind there is every chance her opening handicap rating of 92 under rates the filly somewhat and a high draw is a positive. She is a speculative punt at 40-1 each-way (⅕ 7 places) Indelible looks like one open to plenty of improvement yet after just three starts, two victories, winning a Novice Stakes at Doncaster over a mile last month as if she has more to offer yet. Forever Blue has an obvious chance and with Wathnan Racing doing so well this week and Ralph Beckett in form a big run can be expected. 

5.40pm The King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2) 3yrs colts & geldings One mile, four furlongs

Originally known as the Ascot Derby some fair ones have one this down the years. Aidan O'Brien looks to hold a fair hand here with Diego Velazquez probably the best of his; the going perhaps softer than ideal for him in the G.1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly last time. Space Legend was just beaten by Meydaan at Goodwood last time and with that one running a fair fourth in the G.2 Queen's Vase earlier this week the form looks okay. Macduff was in with some of the best as a two-year-old and the son of Sea The Stars made a promising return to action when second in the 1m2f G.3 Sandown Classic Trial in April behind Arabian Crown. Looked as though he hated the idiosyncrasies of the track when well held in the Derby at Epsom last time and a return to a flatter right-handed course is expected to help his chances. The yard of Ralph Beckett is in fair form and the colt retains potential if you ignore the run at Epsom. Cheekpieces go on for the first time. at he can be backed each-way at 22-1 (⅕ 4 places) and that is what I have done. 

6.15pm The Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes (Handicap) (Class 2) (0-105) 3yrs Five furlongs

A puzzler of a handicap for the lucky last on Friday. Since having a wind-op Dorney Lake is two from two this year, both over six-furlongs, and has to be considered but stall two looks a concern on paper this week.  An opening handicap mark of 90 may underestimate his ability. Another running well after a wind op is Jubilee Walk who is also two for two in 2024. The colt was very impressive winning at York last time and a mark of 97 may not be enough to stop his progress just yet; he is also drawn low though. Vantheman was second to Jubilee Walk at York and is 5lb better off at the weights here for the 1¼ length defeat and drawn much better in fourteen. The yard is in form, he should be able to stalk the early pace nicely from his draw before, hopefully, storming through late. I have some of the 8-1 about this one. 

Royal Ascot Thursday

It is Gold Cup day Thursday; it is also of course Ladies Day so ready yourself for the obligatory news items of middle-aged women in ridiculously large hats. We have four Group races on the card Thursday plus three devilishly tricky handicaps. The going remains good-firm with sunshine all day. It's advantage to the Bookies at the moment across the meeting, I am running -3.3 points to level stakes, but today feels like a day when the punters have a chance. My seven bets for Thursday follow. 

2.30pm The Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) 2yrs Five furlongs

Wesley Ward has a smaller team than in years past for Royal Ascot 2024, some of his owners deciding against sending horses across the pond this year, but you ignore his runners at your peril especially in the two-year-old sprints - Ultima Grace went well for a long way yesterday before fading. One he was talking about back in April after she won at Keeneland, a five-and-a-half furlong turf maiden under Irad Ortiz, was a filly called Saturday Flirt . After her victory he told BloodHorse “She is just a beautiful filly. From the onset when she was born here across the street from Keeneland, she was a standout.” He followed that up with a comment in recent days saying “We took her to Palm Meadows to breeze her on the grass and she went great, so we knew we had a serious Ascot contender early on. Irad Ortiz had a lot of confidence in her going into her first race but, when the gates opened, she was sitting back and got left behind. Because he had so much confidence, he sat at the back and when he eased her out, she shot home to win. I'm going to take the blinkers off her at Ascot, which I don't think I've done with a juvenile before, and we're going to go with a similar tactic and sit on her early before letting her go in the last furlong from home. She excites me.” She came wide off the bend at Keeneland and went by six others up the home-straight looking a bit green so you would expect her to come on for the experience and that the stiff five-furlongs at Ascot could prove an ideal test. If they are going with the hold-up tactic rather than the often seen in the past going on the B of the Bang and trying to hold on stall six looks the ideal draw. She gets the 3lb as the only filly in the line-up and I am on at 16-1  each-way (⅕ 3 places) . Whistlejacket was many’s fancy for this but his form has taken some knocks this week already so he perhaps has questions to answer now but still has to be shortlisted; the same comments go for Arizona Blaze obviously with their form tied in closely. Expensive breeze-up purchase Shareholder won on debut at Beverley and might be the one to give the American filly most to think about.

3.05pm The King George V Stakes (Handicap) (Class 2) (0-105) 3yrs One mile, four furlongs

Another head scratcher of a handicap for us punters to try and workout this week. Chantilly has been consistent and improving this far and steps up in trip again here having finished third over 1m2f in the London Gold Cup at Newbury last time. His new mark of 98 doesn’t look too harsh and you’d expect another solid run. Poniros was second in the London Gold Cup and is perhaps open to further improvement having looked on his last two starts that a step-up in trip might suit. The draw has been kind to the son of Golden Horn and a mark of 92 looks very workable as long as the expected improvement is forthcoming. David Egan should be able to sit in behind the early-pace and you’d expect this one to be staying-on up the straight. Fouroneohfever arrives with three 1’s next to his name and as such is on a career high mark of 90 but may not have stopped improving yet. This is his toughest test to date but he is one proven at the trip from a yard in form and man of the moment Billy Loughnane is in the saddle. Breaking from 13 he should be prominent early and might take a few of these who are yet to prove they stay out of their comfort zone. At 14-1 he is the each-way pick (⅕ 6 places)

3.45pm The Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2) 3yrs fillies One mile, four furlongs

Charlie Appleby has a select team this year for the Royal meeting, just the three runners so far and only one on Thursday in the shape of Diamond Rain. A half-sister to winners Magic Lily (UAE G.2), Jalmoud (Listed) and Sakura Petal she was a narrow winner of a mile fillies' novice at Ascot in May and followed up in good style in a ten-furlong Listed race at Newbury later the same month. You would expect she will be able to improve again, the step-up further in trip should suit, and she looks a solid favourite to me. I am on at 13-8 Her trainer Charlie Appleby said this week “Diamond Rain is two from two and brings some experience of Ascot into the race, while we feel that the step up to a mile and a half is going to suit. She improved from her first to second run and looks to have progressed again since. It’s always a competitive contest but she heads into it in great shape.”

4.25pm The Gold Cup (Group 1) 4yrs+ £650,000 Two miles, four furlongs

The second-leg of the Royal Double runs here in the shape of Kyprios who I doubled with Notable Speech in the St James’s Palace Stakes on Tuesday so that’s gone down. I am not convinced the Stayers division is brilliant at the moment and though Kyprios has of course had his problems he has track and trip form having won this extreme test in 2022 and is one of the few horses who truly get this marathon trip; destroyed the field in the G.1 Prix du Cadran over 2m4f later that season. 2023 was pretty much a write-off but he is back on track now and won his first two starts of the campaign suggesting he is coming back to his best. Anywhere near his peak and he wins as far as I am concerned and Aidan O’Brien said in a recent interview “He is bang on target for the Gold Cup. He has hit every marker we’ve set for him this season and it has all gone very smoothly” which sounds ominous for the others. I am on at 11-8. Gregory won the 1m6f G.2 Queen's Vase at the meeting last year but this is a trip into the unknown for him beyond 1m6f and I would question whether he’ll stay. Coltrane is a decent stayer but not quite top-drawer and is yet to win a G.1. Vauban brings top-class hurdling form to the table and was a well-backed winner of the 1m6f Copper Horse Handicap here last year but this is a different proposition; couldn’t go with the best on the Flat in the 2m G.1 Melbourne Cup in the land down under last November. If the jolly falters I would expect Trawlerman to be the one to take full advantage, won the G.2 Long Distance Cup at Ascot under Frankie Dettori, bravely edging out Kyprios under an inspired ride in October.

5.05pm The Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (0-105) 3yrs colts & geldings One mile

Up the straight mile thus far this week middle to high numbers have appeared to be slightly favoured. Qirat won well at Goodwood last time over seven-furlongs with the way he went clear late there suggesting the step-up in trip here should suit. He is up 4lb for that win but had a couple of these well behind that day and with his three half-siblings all winners over the trip or further, including recent G.2 Middleton Fillies' Stakes winner Bluestocking, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see this one leave his current mark of 92 far behind over the coming months. Despite this looking a competitive affair I actually fancy the chestnut gelding quite strongly and I am on at 15-2.

5.40pm The Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3) 3yrs One mile, two furlongs

Al Musmak from the yard of Roger Varian reportedly impressed a few work watchers on the summer gallop at Newmarket last week bright and early on the Wednesday morning. Having won on debut as a two-year-old he was then second to Rossallion in the Listed 7f Pat Eddery Stakes here before winning the mile Listed Ascendant Stakes at Haydock and then chasing home Ghostwriter in the G.2 Mile Royal Lodge Stakes at HQ. He started his three-year-old campaign with a disappointing effort in the G.2 Dante Stakes at York last month; the team were unable to really explain how he faded quite so tamely. Roger Varian’s explanation that the colt weakened quickly, was noted. The Veterinary Officer examined the colt and had nothing to report. If it was a simple case of not being fully-fit, and if he now is as the gallop report would suggest, he has a chance here at a fair price, his two-year-old form looking rock solid and stall nine a fair draw. I am on at 18-1 each-way (⅕ 4 places). London Gold Cup winner King's Gambit may have had the form franked in the King George V Stakes and has to be shortlisted along with First Look and Bracken's Laugh.

6.15pm The Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap) (Class 2) (0-105) 3yrs+ Seven furlongs

Royal Ascot Wednesday

2.30pm The Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) 2yrs fillies Five furlongs

3.05pm The Queen’s Vase (Group 2) 3yrs One mile, six furlongs

With Grosvenor Square now a non-runner I have had to make a late change here. Aidan O'Brien has trained the winner of this seven times before and has another strong hand even with Grosvenor Square out. Illinois clearly had bigger targets than this for 2024 but his second behind Ambiente Friendly in the 1m3½f Listed Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes reads pretty well now, subsequent Goodwood scorer the re-opposing Meydaan 3¼ lentghs back in third, and he has to be high on any shortlist. At 15-8 he is the pick. Highbury looks the danger off the back of an impressive maiden win if he can deal with this much tougher assignment. 

3.45pm The Duke of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2) 4+ fillies & mares £225,000 One mile

4.25pm The Prince of Wales's Stakes (Group 1) 4yrs+ One mile, two furlongs

5.05pm The Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (Open) 3yrs+ One mile

5.40pm The Kensington Palace Stakes (Handicap) (Class 2) (0-105) 4yrs + fillies & mares Old Mile

6.15pm The Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed) 2yrs Five furlongs

Royal Ascot Tuesday

It is one of the best weeks of the year, possibly the best, it is Royal Ascot week. As they say, Royal Ascot, like nowhere else.

2.30pm The Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) 4yrs + One mile

We are straight into top-class action on day one with some of the best milers in the world on show. Following a shock result in the G.1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury last month the market for this race was thrown wide-open; I think the form from Newbury can be completely ignored, too many ran too poorly that day for it to make sense. With the team at Cheveley Park sending Inspiral to the Prince of Wales’s Stakes on Wednesday the market had a bit of a shake-up a few days ago. Having said the Lockinge form can be ignored Audience made every yard and won fair and square on the day but it’s hard to believe the five-year-old improved to that extent over the winter that he can do it again. I still think he was on pacemaker duty for Inspiral but when it became clear what was happening behind Rab Havlin just got on with it and nicked the race. Charyn in second ran the best race of the also rans, having already won twice before this season, and is perhaps now as a four-year-old a genuine Group One horse. He has to be considered. Big Rock enters calculations off the back of his form last year, destroyed the field in the G.1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes here in October on soft and he is partnered this time by Christophe Soumillon with connections choosing him over regular rider Aurelien Lemaitre as in their words “Christophe is world class. I and the owners decided to change. I think he is a champion, it is just that. He knows all the tracks, he knows Ascot very well and he has won Group One races everywhere so I think he is the best choice.” He was ultra consistent last year and has excuses for his below-par effort at Newbury. Facteur Cheval was a winner at the top table at the Dubai Carnival when last seen taking the 1m1f G.1 Dubai Turf and is a consistent sort that will likely go well again but is another that is perhaps better with a little give under hoof. Also, in my opinion the Dubai Turf was more like a very good Group Two race than a proper top class Group One. With the going being as it is it does, on paper at least, favour Charyn over the French raiders so you can see why he is one of the favourites but Big Rock is rated at least 7lb ahead of his rivals, 11lb higher than Charyn, on OR’s and though his best form is on soft his second to Ace Impact in the Prix du Jockey Club last year on good going is amongst the best form on show and I think he isn't perhaps as ground dependent as people think; his win here in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes is by far the best form admittedly on soft. I am on at the 6-1 this morning in the belief that he can take this despite the ground not being ideal on paper and that he is that much better than the rest his class will show; make no mistake he is the best horse in the race.

3.05pm The Coventry Stakes (Group 2) 2yrs Six furlongs

Aidan O’Brien knows a thing or two about winning this race, trained last year's winner River Tiber, so his Camille Pissaro has to be on any shortlist. In a recent interview the master of Ballydoyle was pretty forthright about this colt, saying “The plan is for him to run in the Coventry Stakes. We have thought for quite some time that he is a Coventry horse. He works like a very good horse. He was just green in the Marble Hill last time. Ryan felt he was very babyish and would come forward a good bit again. We’re looking forward to him.” He won on debut at Navan over six before that run in the 6f G.2 Marble Hill in which he was beaten a head losing out in the shadow of the post, Midnight Strike third. For the Brits Catalyse a winner at Hamilton on debut and Andesite who won at York should both run big races, I think the race will be going to the Irish though. Joseph O’Brien has been aiming Cowardofthecounty at this for a good few weeks. The trainer said back in early May “He’s done really well and is a colt that we are really excited about. The plan is to go straight to the Coventry.” Interestingly they swerved the Marble Hill in favour of coming straight here. He beat Whistlejacket on his sole start to date over 6f at the Curragh on soft-heavy and that colt is many peoples fancy for the 5f Norfolk later this week having won the Listed 5f Flier Stakes on his second start. I noted Aidan O’Brien saying about Whistlejacket “We thought he couldn’t be beaten on his debut, and he ran great, but he bumped into what looked a really good horse in Cowardofthecounty.” make of that what you will. I was impressed with the way he won there and he looks like one that has a big frame to fill who should improve with races and as he matures. I am on at 6-1. Hopefully it’ll be as Kenny Rogers sang in the famous song “He wasn't holding nothing back, He let 'em have it all”

3.45pm The King Charles III Stakes (Group 1) 3yrs + Five furlongs

Big Evs has headed the market in the build-up as he looks to build on the big reputation he made for himself as a two-year-old. He won the Listed 5f Windsor Castle Stakes at the meeting last year before taking the 5f G.3 Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood, the 5f G.2 Flying Childers Stakes and 5f G.1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint confirming himself as the top juvenile speedster about; there was a tilt at the older generations in the G.1 Nunthorpe Stakes in the middle of the season that went horribly wrong can he can be forgiven that. He proved his well-being winning at York in the 5f Listed Westow Stakes last month as his warm-up for this and Trainer Mick Appleby said earlier this month “He's going there fit and well and hopefully he'll put up a good run, but I think it's going to be a difficult race this year. It's going to be his toughest assignment yet, but as long as the ground isn't too soft then everything else should suit him. He's come out of his run at York well and it was a relief to see him win. It's always a big ask if they're going to train on from being a good two-year-old.” I watched an interview Appleby did with Tattersalls (the colt was a 50,000 guineas Tattersalls October Book 2 purchase) in which he said he wasn’t fully wound-up for York with that being his prep for Ascot and this is very much the aim, other than the Breeders Cup in the autumn which the trainer thinks may be his last race. The Nunthorpe at York is not in the plan, apparently, as they feel he doesn't like the track suggesting the colt has two big targets this season, this and the Breeders Cup. I was tempted to back him ante-post but wanted to wait and see who he’d face, plenty in here with multiple entries and we may see some later in the week again, and with the way the weather has been I was a little concerned if we may get soft going. Under race conditions as a three-year-old he gets the weight allowance and that has to be a big help here; gets 6lb from the likes of Regional. I am on the three-year-old at 7-2. Regional is feared his second in the G.2 Greenlands at the Curragh looking a fair first run of the season. Asfoora is up from the land down under and you simply can’t ignore the Aussie speedsters. He is not quite top class in Australia but connections feel they can plunder some fair prize-money here in Europe during the summer and his fourth in the G.2 Temple Stakes suggest they can do just that. Rogue Lightning is the type to improve for his run in the Temple Stakes when sixth and has to be shortlisted with owners Wathnan really targeting this meeting.

4.25pm The St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1) 3yrs colts Old Mile

Henry Longfellow has been aimed at this after he was beaten on his return to action in the French 2000 Guineas in May, with trainer Aidan O’Brien blaming himself for what he described as a “tactical error on my behalf”. The Dubawi colt enjoyed a flawless juvenile campaign last season, winning each of his three starts at the Curragh including a G.1 victory in the National Stakes. Even allowing for the tactical error you couldn’t be impressed with his run in France and he will have to settle for a place here at best I think. Second in the 2,000 Guineas at HQ Rossallion crossed the Irish Channel three-weeks later to take the Irish Guineas at the Curragh. The son of Blue Point is clearly a top-class miler but I think he may have bumped into an extraordinary at Newmarket and he has to face that colt again here. Metropolitan, successful in the G.1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains, adds further spice to a contest that is being billed as the race of the meeting. Following his 2,000 Guineas win at Newmarket Notable Speech went straight to the head of the market and top of the shortlist for this. I didn’t back him for the Guineas as it was so hard to assess how good he might be from what he had achieved in his three wins on the All-Weather, well now we know. I noted some lines from an Interview with William Buick after the Newmarket victory “I’ve not known Notable Speech for that long, but I’ve not very often believed in a horse as much as this one. Sometimes you go home at night and wonder if you have lost the plot altogether because he finds things so easy. His change of gear is incredible……. He’s an out-and-out miler, he’s all about speed. He has a great mindset and I really think that he is a horse who is going to keep on improving.” You had to be impressed with the way he travelled and quickened at Newmarket to win and the form of the race is looking rock solid at the moment. Of those behind him at HQ Rossallion has won the Irish 2,000 as mentioned above, Inisherin won the 6f G.2 Sandy Lane Stakes and City Of Troy of course took the Derby add in Haatem second in the Irish Guineas and Ghostwriter fourth in the G.1 Prix du Jockey Club and it looks like it was a very good renewal. This Charlie Appleby trained colt could have a glittering season ahead of him in the mile division. I have him doubled up with Kyprios later in the week as part of my Royal Double that pays 3.3-1.

5.05pm The Ascot Stakes (Handicap) (Class 2) (0-100) 4yrs + Two miles, four furlongs

A number of the Jumps trainers like to target races such as this at the meeting and it’s no surprise to see Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott with runners in with chances. A trainer you may not be so aware of is C O’Leary the current trainer of Zanndabad, a fast finishing third in the 2m2f Chester Cup last month having to sit and suffer out the back in the race for a long way. She has taken charge of the five-year-old with normal trainer Tony Martin on an enforced holiday at the moment. The wide-open spaces of Ascot compared to Chester should suit this decent multi-purpose handicapper just fine, gone well here over hurdles in the past, and William Buick was booked to ride nice and early suggesting connections aren’t messing about. The way he came home at Chester suggests there is plenty of wiggle room in his current flat mark of 94 I am on at 4-1.

5.40pm The Wolferton Stakes (Listed) 4yrs + One mile, two furlongs

A wide-open looking renewal here with several in with chances. Purchased by Wathnan Racing just a fortnight ago having finished third in a Newmarket handicap over nine-furlongs last month off a mark of 105 Torito is open to improvement yet and has a bit of course form to his name having been a slightly unlucky in running fourth in the 1m2f Hampton Court Stakes last year. By Kingman out of the Montjeu mare Montare six of his siblings have also been winners for owner breeder George Strawbridge including G.1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes winner Journey and G,2 May Hill Stakes Winner Indigo Girl. I am on at 7-2 in the hope that the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has bought a good one here. Botanical looks like another progressive four-year-old in the field and is feared as is Israr dropping down in class after a couple of decent runs in better company but he simply doesn't win that often and I am not convinced he puts it all in every time.

6.15pm The Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap) (Class 2) (0-105) 4yrs + One mile, six furlongs

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13th June 2024: 

Laurel has been heading the market for the Group Two Duke of Cambridge Stakes in the run-up to the meeting despite not being seen since finishing down the field in the G.1 Lockinge Stakes last season. With just five starts to her name as a five-year-old she has clearly had her problems but most interesting to me was a video posted by Emma Berry of the Thoroughbred Daily News on Twitter in which the filly can be seen dropping off the back of Inspiral and Lord North in a gallop on the July course around a furlong out and being eased down; it didn’t look a great prep to me for a G.2 engagement. Perhaps it was the plan but if you’d seen it you wouldn’t want to be backing her and I’m wondering if she will even run…………Last year's winner Rogue Millennium has been aimed at this and suddenly looks value at 5’s with Coral ante-post to my eyes. Joseph O’Brien said of her recently “She obviously didn’t get much luck on her first start for us at the Curragh, but she ran well and seems to have come forward really well for it since. She won the Duke Of Cambridge last year when it was run on the straight track. It has been switched to the round track this year and we think that will play to her strengths. It looks a lovely spot for her before she makes her way back into Group 1 company and she’s one that we’ve love quick ground for.” She got no luck at all in her seasonal reappearance in the G.2 Lanwades Stud Stakes but if nothing else that would have put her straight for this and I am on the daughter of Dubawi.

12th June 2024: 

The picture is becoming clearer for next week at Royal Ascot as to which horses will run where and there could be some activity in the ante-post markets over the next few days but with Bookies still not offering non-runner no bet and the weather somewhat unpredictable I won't be going crazy. I have had a cheeky double on what I think are the two 'good things' of the week in the shape of Notable Speech in the St James's Palace Stakes and Kyprios in the Ascot Gold Cup. The double pays 3.3-1 and I am happy enough to take a chance at that as I wouldn't be surprised if Notable Speech continues to get shorter, I think he can improve again yet and that will surely see him win this, and Kyprios could go off at long odds-on especially if a few from Ballydoyle have gone in over the first couple of days. Aidan O'Brien said this week of his charge “He’s had a great winter and a great spring and everyone is very happy with him at the moment. His first two runs were lovely, so we’re really looking forward to getting him there. He was always the same horse at home from the time he was a two-year-old – he was all very laid-back, he travels and when he goes there (the front) he doesn’t do much, he always did that. We feel the Gold Cup is a very special race, it’s a very unique race. Most horses with a staying pedigree would get nearly two miles, but when you go past that it goes into an unbelievably different territory altogether and very few really get it that well."

10th June 2024: 

The week ahead in the world of horse racing is somewhat overshadowed with Royal Ascot the following week. On Wednesday we will get the confirmations for the Queen Anne, King Charles III Stakes and St James’s Palace on the opening day of the Royal meeting, plus entries for the remaining day one races, including the Coventry Stakes. Thursday sees Royal Ascot's day two card confirmations for the Prince of Wales's Stakes, Duke of Cambridge Stakes and Royal Hunt Cup. Entries for the undercard, including the Queen Mary and Queen's Vase, will also be announced. The next set of Royal Ascot confirmations and entries for day three, including the feature Gold Cup, will be revealed at lunchtime on Friday. Over the weekend the Royal Ascot picture becomes clearer still with the confirmations for the Coronation Stakes and Commonwealth Cup as well as entries for the other five races on the Friday and on Sunday we get the declarations for Royal Ascot on Tuesday. This page will be updated every day with news and of course any bets as and when they are placed. Not long to wait now.................

Last year’s 5f G.2 Queen Mary Stakes winner in the tightest of photo finishes Crimson Advocate is on her way back to Ascot and is to join the yard of John & Thady Gosden for a European campaign starting with her return visit to Royal Ascot next week. The chestnut filly is being aimed at the 5f Group One King Charles III Stakes (former King’s Stand) on Tuesday and will apparently stay in Britain for the summer after leaving US-based George Weaver. Wathnan Racing’s U.S. representative Case Clay was in upbeat mood this week and told the website of Thoroughbred Racing Commentary “We are looking forward to giving Crimson Advocate another shot at England. She’s all speed and she’ll stay there after Royal Ascot as there are more important races for her there over five furlongs through the summer and fall than there are at home.” A winner of three of her five career starts to date she has run twice since her victory at Royal Ascot in 2023 finishing sixth to Big Evs in the G.1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf on her first start for Wathnan Racing where she led into the final furlong before fading out of contention and then winning at Gulfstream Park on her three-year-old seasonal debut last month. Clay issued an update on Crimson Advocate’s progress. “I just got back from Keeneland, where she breezed on the turf. It was her final breeze before she ships on June 11, and she’s in great form. She won really well at Gulfstream last month, and that was exactly what George Weaver wanted from her as a tune-up for Ascot. It was her first race since the Breeders’ Cup, and Gulfstream was probably her l