Royal Ascot 2023 tips: the runners, the odds, the best bets
The action on day one of Royal Ascot features some high-class names, most notably Inspiral, Chaldean, Paddington and Highfield Princess, and we've got you covered for the day's terrestrial TV coverage on ITV Racing.
Royal Ascot Tuesday schedule: race-by-race guide for day 1
Our Spotlight experts select their best bets for the opening day of Royal Ascot 2023
Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1)
2.30 Ascot, 1m
There is no horse of the calibre of Baaeed to kickstart proceedings this year but Inspiral has proved herself capable of some dazzling performances and will look to get Frankie Dettori off to a flyer at his final Royal Ascot.
Charlie Appleby is responsible for the main opposition to the likely favourite with Lockinge winner Modern Games, who has been admirably consistent at the highest level, and last year's Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Native Trail.
Mutasaabeq, who beat Native Trail in the bet365 Mile at Newmarket before finishing fifth in the Lockinge, is among those at bigger prices.
Betting forecast: 15-8 Inspiral, Modern Games, 13-2 Native Trail, 12-1 Chindit, 14 Mutasaabeq, 16 Cash, Light Infantry, 20 Lusail, 25 Berkshire Shadow, Triple Time, 50 Angel Bleu, 66 Pogo
SPOTLIGHT TIP: Inspiral
Highly talented filly; impressive in the Coronation Stakes at this meeting 12 months ago
Coventry Stakes (Group 2)
3.05 Ascot, 6f
Aidan O'Brien has to wait until the second race to get his Royal Ascot started, with the unbeaten River Tiber aiming to provide the master trainer with a tenth victory in the Coventry Stakes.
The Jessica Harrington-trained Givemethebeatboys, the mount of Frankie Dettori, gives Ireland a strong hand, with Asadna, who recorded the highest Racing Post Rating for a juvenile debutant in 16 years at Ripon (106), leading the home challenge.
Betting forecast: 7-4 River Tiber, 3-1 Asadna, 7-2 Givemethebeatboys, 14-1 Army Ethos, 16 Bobsleigh, Bucanero Fuerte, Fandom, 20 Chief Mankato, Emperor's Son, 25 Haatem, 33 Cuban Thunder, 40 bar
SPOTLIGHT TIP: River Tiber
Immensely promising winner at Navan and Naas; form looks strong; top of the list
King's Stand Stakes (Group 1)
3.40 Ascot, 5f
With three Group 1 victories in the space of 36 days, Highfield Princess was the success story of last year and she bids to write another chapter to her remarkable tale in this 5f contest.
She faces a strong team of international sprinters with Coolangatta and Cannonball flying the flag for Australia and Twilight Gleaming representing US trainer Wesley Ward.
Karl Burke runs talented three-year-olds Dramatised and Marshman, while last year's runner-up Twilight Calls should be capable of a better showing than his two starts this season.
Betting forecast: 9-4 Highfield Princess, 7-2 Coolangatta, 9-2 Manaccan, 13-2 Dramatised, 12-1 Cannonball, 16 Mitbaahy, Twilight Calls, 20 Twilight Gleaming, 25 Chipstead, Marshman, 33 bar
SPOTLIGHT TIP: Highfield Princess
Extremely versatile but impressive winner of both 5f Group 1s on turf; worthy favourite
St James's Palace Stakes (Group 1)
4.20 Ascot, 1m
The Group 1s just keep on coming on a sensational first day with a fascinating battle of the Guineas winners Chaldean and Paddington.
Chaldean stuck on well to win the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on soft ground and Paddington went from handicap success to Irish 2,000 Guineas glory at the Curragh in the space of two months.
This might not only concern the big two as Cicero's Gift bolted up in a conditions race at Goodwood last time, hinting at Group 1 potential with the manner of his victory.
Betting forecast: 2-1 Chaldean, 9-4 Paddington, 5-1 Cicero's Gift, 8 Isaac Shelby, Mostabshir, 10 Royal Scotsman, 33 Galeron, 40 Indestructible, 50 Charyn
SPOTLIGHT TIP: Paddington
Fast-improving colt; driven out to win the Irish 2,000 Guineas most recently; respected
Ascot Stakes
5.00 Ascot, 2m4f
With stamina required in abundance, it is little surprise that jumps trainers are well represented and the Willie Mullins-trained Bring On The Night is a short-priced favourite under Ryan Moore, the pair having teamed up to win this three times.
Ian Williams is another trainer with a good record in the race, having won it in twice in the last four years, and runs four this year, with Zinc White and Law Of The Sea leading his charge.
Betting forecast: 2-1 Bring On The Night, 7-1 Ahorsewithnoname, 10-1 Calling The Wind, Law Of The Sea, Novel Legend, 12-1 Zinc White, 14-1 Irish Lullaby, Weston, Zoffee, 20-1 Pleasant Man, Solent Gateway, 22-1 Fleurman, Tritonic, 25 bar
SPOTLIGHT TIP: Irish Lullaby
Excuses latest; a lot in good 1m4f/1m6f displays suggests significant staying potential
Wolferton Stakes (Listed)
5.35 Ascot, 1m2f
There would be no more popular winner on the opening day than Saga in the royal colours of King Charles and Queen Camilla and ridden by Frankie Dettori.
Unlucky not to win the Britannia at the meeting last year, the John and Thady-trained four-year-old warmed up for the race with a good second at Newmarket last time. The Gosden stable is also responsible for forecast second favourite Francesco Clemente, who was second to the reopposing King Of Conquest at Goodwood last time.
Betting forecast: 7-2 Saga, 9-2 Francesco Clemente, 11-2 Buckaroo, 7-1 Bolshoi Ballet, 15-2 King Of Conquest, 9-1 Cadillac, 11-1 Poker Face, Solid Stone, 20 bar
5.35 Royal Ascot: can Frankie Dettori ride a royal winner aboard Saga in the Wolferton?
SPOTLIGHT TIP: Cadillac
Back to best for Boughey yard with recent Epsom win; second in this last year; big player
Copper Horse Handicap
6.10 Ascot, 1m6f
Willie Mullins and Ryan Moore join forces with another major fancy as high-class hurdler Vauban switches to the Flat on a tempting mark.
Stablemate Absurde is a similarly fascinating contender along with the unexposed Godolphin runner Ruling Dynasty, who makes his handicap debut.
Betting forecast: 13-8 Vauban, 5-1 Absurde, 15-2 Ruling Dynasty, 8-1 Point King, 12-1 Chillingham, 14-1 Postileo, 16-1 Aaddeey, Berkshire Rocco, Sam Cooke, 20 bar
SPOTLIGHT TIP: Vauban
High-class hurdler who could be well treated now back on the Flat
ITV7 Royal Ascot day 1 tips and predictions
The ITV7 competition is back and free to play with £50,000 on offer. Users will need a Sky Bet account to enter, so if you don't already have an account, sign up using this link and take advantage of the free bet offer.
Race 1, 2.30 Royal Ascot: INSPIRAL
Race 2, 3.05 Royal Ascot: RIVER TIBER
Race 3, 3.40 Royal Ascot: HIGHFIELD PRINCESS
Race 4, 4.20 Royal Ascot: PADDINGTON
Race 5, 5.00 Royal Ascot: IRISH LULLABY
Race 6, 5.35 Royal Ascot: CADILLAC
Race 7, 6.10 Royal Ascot: VAUBAN
Find all of our Royal Ascot day 1 tips in one place, from a rage of our leading tipsters. We also have the latest Royal Ascot free bets and offer for new customers to give you a head start on your bets.
Read these next:
Royal Ascot 2023 tips: best bets from Tom Segal, Paul Kealy and David Jennings
Royal Ascot day 1 tips 2023: five horses to back at Royal Ascot on Tuesday
Tuesday tips: cracking the Royal Ascot day one puzzle with David Jennings
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