Four Royal Ascot outsiders, including one who will relish a 'ruthless gallop'

Although there are set to be some hot favourites at Royal Ascot next week – particularly on the opening day – there are always some big-priced shocks and excellent performances by outsiders.

With 35 races to choose from, here are four outsiders who could outrun their odds at the prestigious meeting.

Bopedro

Odds: 25-1

Race: Royal Hunt Cup (5.00 Wednesday)

This race looks tailormade for the Jessica Harrington-trained six-year-old, who has produced all his best form in strongly run, big-field handicaps.

He was a dominant winner of the Irish Cambridgeshire at the Curragh last August and was unlucky not to follow up at Leopardstown on his next start, as he was forced to race wide and did best of those held up.

His two starts this season have been below that standard, but he is now back on his Leopardstown mark and with a likely unrelenting pace to chase, he will certainly be seen to best effect.

Bopedro: looks tailormade for the Royal Hunt CupCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Sacred Bridge

Odds: 20-1

Race: Commonwealth Cup (3.05 Friday)

Winner of four races as a juvenile, including a Group 3 at the Curragh, Sacred Bridge ran flat in the Cheveley Park at Newmarket to end the campaign.

In two runs this season she has performed with credit over trips that perhaps did not play to her strengths, including a two-length fourth to Homeless Songs over seven furlongs.

She ultimately does not have much to find on ratings, especially with the fillies allowance, and the strength with which she travels through her races lends itself to this contest.

Sacred Bridge: could be suited by the Commonwealth CupCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Artorius

Odds: 16-1

Race: Platinum Jubilee Stakes (4.20 Saturday)

It is perfectly understandable that Australian counterparts Home Affairs and Nature Strip are eclipsing Artorius in the market, but 20-1 is certainly harsh enough on the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained speedball.

He is winless since a Group 1 success as a juvenile last February but he has run well in defeat on multiple occasions and is reported to have travelled over well from Australia.

Of the Australian contingent, he is the one who will be suited by the ruthless gallop and as a hold-up horse, being paired with Jamie Spencer is a match made in heaven.

With so many frontrunners in the field, Home Affairs and Nature Strip may run out of gas duelling for early supremacy and Spencer could be left gratefully picking up the pieces.

Artorius (left): could fare best of the Aussie contingentCredit: Reg Ryan (Getty Images)

Prince Lancelot

Odds: 20-1

Race: Wokingham Stakes (5.00 Saturday)

Handicap marks are always difficult to contextualise for horses coming over to Britain but Prince Lancelot looks fairly treated and should run a big race for Fabrice Chappet.

He posted a good effort to win the Prix Servanne at Chantilly in May and that form was franked emphatically when the fifth, Egot, won a hot Group 3 at Longhchamp later in the month.

Better ground perhaps is not ideal, but a mark of 103 looks lenient based on that Chantilly form, especially as he still seems to be improving at the age of four.

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