Royal Ascot 2024 - Where is Harry | Racing Post

First run in 1890, this is the most valuable race for juveniles at Royal Ascot and the season’s first high-class contest for the age group, regularly proving a stepping stone to Group 1 level later in the year.Market position is a good guide, with 16 of the last 20 winners having been in the first four in the betting and only four of those 20 priced above 8-1.

Winners have been drawn high, low and centre in the last decade. The betting is often a good guide to the Coventry but this year's renewal looks especially open. Aidan O'Brien has landed ten of these but only one of his winners was beaten the time before, and Camille Pissarro is no more appealing than his imposing compatriot Cowardofthecounty who didn't half look good on his Curragh debut. However, the key form might be the York race dominated by Andesite and YAH MO BE THERE. Had the selection not consumed quite so much fuel in a bold move that accelerated him past the winner a fair way out, it may have been a different outcome. If smothered up for longer, he could take a huge step forward and reverse placings with Andesite who is rated very highly by Karl Burke. It's unlike the Gosdens to throw a maiden into Group company and Ingot could be a lively one at lengthy odds.

Dating back to 1813, this is the last heritage handicap of the week and one of the big handicap sprints of the Flat season, with up to 30 runners charging down the straight in a hotly contested 6f race. Even though only two favourites have won since 2005, nine of the 17 winners since then were in the first four in the market.

Orazio and ALBASHEER (nap) were two of the stronger finishers in this race last year and the latter, so effective on fast ground, has a good deal in his favour on other 6f turf form last year. Stablemate Saint Lawrence was first home in this 12 months ago, ahead of Apollo One, Juan Les Pins and Mums Tipple, and it looks very likely that the first named will have had the race in his sights for a while. Those four can all be dangerous again, while Harry Three is intriguing as he was well ahead of his mark when last seen in a handicap two years ago and, after missing 2023, he ran a perfectly satisfactory race on his comeback at Salisbury. Dark Trooper is another with claims on his C&D form, while Rumstar should appreciate the return to this stiff 6f and can also play a part. Torivega appeals most of the outsiders.

Now in its third year, this mile handicap is run over the round course for older fillies and mares rated 0-105 and has proved a tricky test for punters. Dave Loughnane had the first two (Lola Showgirl at 12-1 and Ffion at 10-1) in the inaugural running and both had got in at the bottom end of the weights off ratings of 81, while last year the first three were Marco Botti’s Rising Star (40-1), Random Harvest (40-1) and Isola Rossa (22-1). 

The first three editions of this race took place on the round 1m but it switches to the straight course this year. There are quite a few unexposed sorts and they may be the ones to focus on. ELIM was an eyecatcher on her Redcar reappearance and the form has been boosted, so she gets the vote, with her strong-travelling style promising to lend itself to a race like this. Doha and Summer Of Love surely have more to come but the forecast fast ground is a question mark for the former, while Godolphin's filly has done her winning over 7f on AW, so it could be that the chief threat comes from Ed Walker's Aurora Dawn, who met all sorts of trouble at Goodwood last time and was progressive on turf last year. Twirling, Rajindri and Karsavina are a few of many others who could well.


Founded in 1839, this 2m4f handicap has come to be dominated by trainers whose main emphasis is jump racing, with Willie Mullins, Nicky Henderson, Jonjo O’Neill and David Pipe on the roll of honour since 2010.This is not impossibly hard, with half of the last ten winners coming from the top five in the betting. The only two successful favourites in the past 20 years were both trained by Mullins.

Calculations for the Ascot Stakes usually start with Willie Mullins, last year being a rare occasion that one of his representatives failed to make a serious impact, so his unexposed 5yo My Lyka goes straight on the shortlist. Zanndabad does too, after his fast-finishing third in the Chester Cup, and so does the hat-trick seeking Boher Road, but the most potent Irish challenger may well turn out to be NUSRET, for whom a return to better ground looks ideal and the longer trip could unlock something special. While the British runners clearly have plenty on their hands, Divine Comedy scored so easily at Haydock that she is second on the list, with Pledgeofallegiance and Tenerife Sunshine also bringing potential as well as last-time-out wins.

This prestigious and valuable 1m4f handicap for three-year-olds and upwards dates back to 1914 and was formerly known as the Bessborough Handicap (starting out as a sprint) before being renamed in 1999. There have been six successful favourites (outright or joint) in the last 12 runnings after a long gap back to Blueprint in 1999.

It's easy to see why Ethical Diamond has been made the clear favourite, with last month's Flat return containing so much promise, but the reappearing SHADOW DANCE could also be a horse to follow this season. They are relatively lightly raced and bring striking potential. Crystal Black was first, Deakin second and Safecracker fifth when they met over 1m2f at the Curragh four weeks ago and, while all three are respected, the positions may be reversed this time. Fairbanks is another who should go well.

First run in 1843, this is the meeting’s third Group 2 race for Two-year-olds, following the Coventry and Queen Mary Stakes, and its distinguishing feature is that it is open to both sexes over the minimum distance of five furlongs. The extent to which connections know what they have on their hands is clear from the fact that only six of the last 25 winners went off bigger than 10-1.

Wesley Ward's 2yos are always of interest at this meeting and he runs the sole filly Saturday Flirt, but she took her time in making a successful debut over half a furlong further at Keeneland in April and may not get away with that here. Whistlejacket was impressive when beating ARIZONA BLAZE in a Curragh Listed contest last month, but ground conditions will be very different here and the runner-up has since shown his liking for a faster surface when winning a Group 3 at the same track. He is therefore a sporting selection to reverse the form for last year's winning connections. Milford made his winning debut on soft ground but shouldn't be passed over lightly and neither should his stablemate Shareholder who just got the better of Moving Force on his Beverley debut on a fast surface. The latter could also run well with a 7lb pull and the stable has taken two of the last three runnings.

Established in 2002 at Listed level and upgraded in 2005, this Group 3 6f contest is a two-year-old fillies’ version of the Coventry Stakes, albeit without such a long and illustrious history. This has not been a great race for favourites. Since Cuis Ghaire won at 8-11 in 2008, only three market leaders have been successful. Four of the last ten winners were returned at odds of 14-1 or bigger.

The form pick is FAIRY GODMOTHER, whose Naas success came in a Group 3 contest that has thrown up the last two Albany winners. Mountain Breeze, who looks a smart prospect, is feared most ahead of the selection's promising stablemate Heavens Gate. California Dreamer ties in with Fairy Godmother on bare form, while Twafeeg, Royalty Bay and Liberalised are interesting types.

Introduced to the Royal Ascot programme in 2002, this is a handicap for three-year-old fillies rated 0-105 run over the straight mile, making it effectively a fillies’ version of the Britannia. Despite the race’s large number of runners and hugely competitive nature, it is notable that fancied contenders do well. Eleven of the 21 winners came from the top two in the betting, including seven who had at least a share of favouritism, and only five winners have been bigger than 11-1 (although two of the last four were 33-1, both trained by Fellowes).

Nothing ever seems to fall quite right for SOPRANO and that was again the case last time at Musselburgh when she was never positioned to throw down a telling challenge. In consistently showing smart form since her successful debut at two, however, the one thing she has done is see her races out strongly and this step up to 1m is worth exploring on her handicap debut. Kitty Rose's form stacks up impressively and, having earned herself top weight, she's second choice. Handicap debutantes Indelible, Forever Blue and Nocturnal have been campaigned away from the bright lights but are now open to significant improvement.

First run in 1928, this contest over the straight mile is the second of Royal Ascot’s three heritage handicaps and is open to three-year-old colts and geldings. Six winners in the past decade were sent off at 14-1 or bigger and there has been only one successful favourite since 2006.

This is the typical Britannia conundrum full of horses who have yet to reveal their true level of ability to the handicapper and there's sure to be a Group horse lurking somewhere. This year it might be COGITATE, who failed to do himself justice when one of the favourites for last year's Acomb (Group 3) and on his only subsequent sighting he bumped into one who might yet turn out high class. A three-month absence is of no concern and probably a blessing with a view to rocking up here off what might be an underrated mark. While historically it goes against the grain to consider horses towards the summit of the handicap, Whip Cracker's penultimate effort when ahead of Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly marks him down as a serious contender and his last run can be forgotten. Others on the shortlist are Volterra, Native Warrior, Monkey Island, Skukuza, Qirat and Starlore.

First run in 1919, this Listed contest is the final race of the meeting for two-year-olds and at seven furlongs is the longest of the week for that age group. It is open only to horses whose sire or dam won over a distance in excess of nine and a half furlongs. Since 1996, nine of the 27 winners had market leadership, with a further 13 in the top four in the betting.

Ballydoyle filly Bedtime Story and Godolphin colt Age Of Gold are particularly promising, as the early betting reflects. They command major respect and look the strongest contenders on various counts. However, there are plausible alternatives who look open to any amount of progress. From a punting angle, the two suggestions against the field are £400,000 Goffs London purchase PENTLE BAY and stoutly bred Seaplane, who both have good credentials and should relish this step up to a stiff 7f. Market confidence behind Duke Of Monroth, the pick of the newcomers, should be heeded.

Dating back to 1919, this Group 3 race for Three-year-olds over seven furlongs is a battleground between Classic pretenders dropping back from a mile and sprinters trying to stretch out their stamina. Noble Truth last year became the fifth successful favourite in the past decade (two other winners were in the top three in the betting).

It's a big field but difficult to make a strong case for that many. Old rivals RIVER TIBER and Haatem cross swords for the third time and, in receipt of weight, Aidan O'Brien's high-class colt can come out on top. Last year's Coventry Stakes winner, the selection should be spot-on after shaping as if needing the outing in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and can give his trainer a fifth Jersey. Haatem is an obvious second choice, although Kikkuli, Native American, Never So Brave, Night Raider and Task Force are all low mileage and could improve sufficiently to make an impact.

This 1m2f handicap for Three-year-olds rated 0-105 was introduced as part of the expanded programme in 2020 and has been won by 20-1 shot Highland Chief for Paul and Oliver Cole, the Andrew Balding-trained Foxes Tales at 13-2 and last year’s 5-2 favourite Missed The Cut for George Boughey.

Palace Green and Primo Lara have delivered taking handicap performances but will need some luck to find their way through from a low draw, which might also make it tricky to settle Portsmouth but should help Approval if his jockey again decides on forcing tactics up front. A great deal, however, seems to be in place for HAND OF GOD to run well, with his step up in trip and a fast-ground win already on the board, and the likely ground conditions earn him preference over Dambuster who is a handicap debutant but impressed with his strength at the finish for his wins on good to soft and soft. Nerano could be dangerous on his step up from 7f.

Established in 1839, this Listed five-furlong dash for two-year-olds is open to colts, geldings and fillies. This has proved the juvenile race most open to a surprise result in recent years, with nine of the last 17 winners having been 12-1 or bigger. Even the major stables can produce a long-odds winner – Charlie Appleby at 16-1 in 2017 and John Gosden at 20-1 the year before that – and half of the last ten winners came from outside the top six in the betting.

There are three US challengers in the line-up and Gabaldon (stall 26 of 28) can be expected to set a brisk pace on the stands' side, and likewise Cheval de Guerre (drawn 1) and Honorary American (4) on the far side. Cheval de Guerre (second choice) is a tempting option against the rail but preference is for the Aidan O'Brien-trained CELTIC CHIEFTAIN, whose debut win under Wayne Lordan at Navan 11 days ago was a performance packed with promise. Ryan Moore rides a stablemate (Naas winner Treasure Isle, who is respected) but that was also the case in the Navan race. Hawaiian disappointed on soft ground in the National Stakes but his Newbury debut win represents strong form and he is third on the shortlist. Unbeaten pair Pont Neuf and Shadow Army are others to consider.


First run at Royal Ascot in 1948, this is a fascinating yet tricky 1m4f handicap for three-year-olds, open to fillies as well as colts and geldings. Since Cosmic Sun scored at 66-1 in 2009, eight of the 13 winners have come from the top four in the betting.

The London Gold Cup form at Newbury received a swift boost when Persica won in no little style at Epsom on Derby Day and while he may have shown his hand a bit too much with that win, the Newbury second Poniros (second choice) and third Chantilly renew rivalry and bring plenty of encouragement for 1m4f. Poniros's trainer Ralph Beckett also has Going The Distance, who is on a four-timer. Fouroneohfever has won all three of his handicaps but there's a handicap newcomer who may scupper them all in the shape of GILDED WATER, who left the impression he was only just finding his stride when he steamed clear from maiden opposition over 1m2f at Chepstow. Neski Sherelski is another who makes a step up in trip today and looks interesting.

This Group 3 race for three-year-olds was added to the programme when Royal Ascot was extended to five days in 2002 and upgraded to its current level in 2011. Most winners had
done enough to take high rank in the betting, with eight of the last ten coming from the top two and none of the ten bigger than 7-1.

London Gold Cup winners often evolve into Group-race performers and there can be considerable optimism that KING'S GAMBIT (nap), who was so impressive in that Newbury handicap last month, can do likewise. Last year's Royal Lodge runner-up Al Musmak had an excuse for his Dante flop and he is second choice ahead of French raider First Look, who was runner-up in the Prix du Jockey Club. Bracken's Laugh could also be involved, while the step up in trip is a likely plus for Sons And Lovers, whose trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam won this in 2022.

Originally introduced to the expanded royal meeting in 2002, this big-field seven-furlong handicap for three-year-olds and upwards was removed after 2014 to make room for the new Group 1 Commonwealth Cup but reinstated in 2020 as part of the extended race programme. There has never been a successful favourite in the 16 running's and the only winners not at double-figure odds were 8-1 shots Unscrupulous (2004) and Jedburgh (2005).

English Oak showed surprising speed to run as well as he did over 6f here in the autumn but 7f looked every inch his trip when powering home at Haydock in May. He looks to have a bright future and is much respected but KINGS TIME took a step forward for a winter break when quickening up quite impressively on his reappearance at Cork and is ready for a step up in class. Northern Express is dependable at this level and is one of many dangers, with Gorak of interest now he's much lower in the weights than when running well from a poor draw in this race last year. Baradar, a C&D winner in July, is a possible reviver, while Mostabshir will be suited by the fast ground and may be best forgiven a disappointment here last time out. In-form contenders Carrytheone, Divine Libra and Percy's Lad are all considered as well, along with Fresh, who is hard to leave out back on this course.

Dating back to 1838 and run under its current name since 1960, this Group 2 over 1m6f is restricted to three-year-olds and designed to bring along future St Leger and Cup horses over staying trips. This is the seventh year since a reduction in distance from two miles. The market is often a good guide to the best prospects from the big stables, with 12 of the last 15 winners coming from the top two in the betting.

Aidan O'Brien has endured three years without a Queen's Vase win but looks to be going all out to reassert his dominance, fielding four runners, three of whom look strong candidates and ILLINOIS looks particularly strong. Ryan Moore's mount has two pieces of good form, including the Lingfield Derby Trial which suggested that he has the call over leading British hope Meydaan and will relish this longer trip. Grosvenor Square could sweep his Chester Vase form aside and Highbury makes a fascinating step up in class while coming face to face again with the unbeaten, Jessica Harrington-trained Birdman (second choice) who shows that O'Brien has by no means a monopoly on Irish interest.


Inaugurated in 2002 with the extension of Royal Ascot to a five-day meeting, this was changed in 2018 to become a 1m2f Listed conditions race for four-year-olds and up (rather than a Listed handicap).The first three winners post-2018 were in the first four in the betting; the last two have been much further down the list.

Botanical and Torito (second choice) appeal as lightly raced, progressive 4yos who can win at this level but the latter's stablemate ISRAR has already achieved several RPRs good enough to win this in a normal year, including when second to Passenger (who was prominent in the betting for the Group 1 Prince Of Wales's before suffering a setback) at Chester last month. Astro King should also be in the mix, while one worth a mention at much bigger odds is Savvy Victory, whose defeat of Poker Face in a Sandown Listed race over this trip last July is good form.

Run over 1m6f, this handicap for four-year-olds and upwards was introduced as part of the enhanced programme for Royal Ascot in 2020. Newmarket stables filled the first three places in the first two runnings, but North Yorkshire trainer David O’Meara struck last year with 16-1 shot Get Shirty. Seven of the nine runners who have finished in the first three were rated 95-100 (including every winner) and five of them had winning form over at least 1m6f.

Willie Mullins saddled the one-two in this race 12 months and BELLOCCIO earns the vote today, having comfortably made a winning start for the yard in a maiden hurdle at Punchestown last month. Intinso remains unexposed and is feared most, with his half-brother Amtiyaz having won this in 2021 for the same connections. A Piece Of Heaven and Fox Journey impressed last time out and could still have more to offer, while Tyson Fury and Lucander kept on well over 1m4f at this meeting last year and are interesting at bigger odds.


Founded in honour of the consort of King George V and first run in 1921, this five-furlong dash is the premier race at the meeting restricted to two-year-old fillies – the only other of that ilk is the Albany Stakes, which is run over six furlongs on Friday and is a step lower than this Group 2.Nine of the last 14 winners were in the top three in the betting and it is worth noting that three of the longer-priced winners came from northern stables (even though two of them had high-class winning form in the Marygate at York).

It's a tad unsettling that only one Queen Mary winner has emerged from a single-figure stall in the last decade but MISS RASCAL, from a yard that won this back in 1996, hinted that she might be really smart on her debut and went a long way to confirming that suspicion when easily dealing with a subsequent Italian Listed winner here last month. Course experience is a significant asset at Ascot. This race has so far eluded Aidan O'Brien but Truly Enchanting produced a power-packed finish to win by daylight at Tipperary and debut winners from this yard typically progress to high honours. Make Haste impressed in her first race and she's on the shortlist together with Ultima Grace, Kassaya, Mighty Eriu and Amestris.

This is the longest race of the week at nearly two and three-quarter miles–indeed, the longest run under Flat racing rules – and one of the best loved. With such an emphasis on stamina and with fewer out-and-out stayers in Flat yards nowadays, this race has become quite a battleground between the Flat trainers and the top jumps yards. Twelve of the last 15 winners came from the first four in the market.

As is tradition, Royal Ascot closes with the Flat season's longest race and the Irish horses may have this between themselves. A key piece of form is last year's renewal in which Dawn Rising had a kinder run through than third-placed Run For Oscar. After similar preparations, this has evidently been the plan for both, and they'll be boxing on when others have cried enough. Their assured stamina is something POSTILEO lacks, but the selection finished ahead of both his compatriots at Navan last time and this 7yo, who had some class about him when with Roger Varian, had the option of shorter races at this meeting. That Navan form brings runner-up Queenstown firmly into the equation, though the 1m6f was perhaps a better fit for him and today's 2m5f might be a step too far at this stage of his career when no 4yo has won this marathon since 2008.

Introduced as part of Royal Ascot’s expanded programme in 2020, this five-furlong handicap for three-year-olds rated 0-105 has tended towards high-numbered stalls in the first three runnings. In 2020 6-4 favourite Art Power came out of stall 19 to win easily from Keep Busy (drawn 21); in 2021 the first four all came from the five highest berths (Significantly won from stall 24 at 10-1); and last year five of the first six were from 21 or higher, although 5-1 winner Latin Lover came out of stall 11.

This is just the fifth running of this 5f handicap in its current guise but it looks comfortably the most intriguing renewal with a host of interesting sprinters locking horns. Dyrholaey and Dorney Lake are unbeaten this year and make their handicap debut with potential but this will be a stiffer test of their credentials. Mukaafah saw off a subsequent winner in fine style on his handicap debut and this exuberant colt could be even better suited by 5f. He looks ahead of his mark, as does Vantheman whose York second last month can be upgraded, but even at today's revised weights JUBILEE WALK, his conqueror at the Dante meeting, is preferred. James Ferguson's colt has improved with each start and he produced a power-packed finish when winning at York, a victory achieved in spite of the sharp track rather than because of it. He looked a Group horse in the making there and can take the 7lb rise in his stride. Of those at bigger prices, Billy Webster and Matters Most are likely to go well.

First run in 1860, this five-furlong contest is the fastest race of the week, usually completed in less than a minute. Having been a Group 2 for 20 years, the race regained Group 1 status in 2008.Favourites can be found out (only three of the last 28 have won and last year Golden Pal was last at 15-8) but the market is still a good guide. Since Choisir’s 25-1 breakthrough success for Australia in 2003, at a time when the strength of their challenge was underestimated, 16 of the 19 winners have been no bigger than 8-1.

The Australian sprinters have been inspiring at Royal Ascot over the years and Nature Strip most recently left the locals rather downcast in this race two years ago. Asfoora (second choice) is a worthy contender on her Australian form if she can reproduce it back on quicker ground than her British debut behind KERDOS at Haydock but the latter is still preferred with better days to come. He needed a couple of runs to get his eye in this year but was quite impressive last time, he appears to act on any ground and the return to a searching test at the trip is expected to suit. The tough and willing Big Evs has been a sterling operator against his own age group but he does have something to prove back against the older sprinters. Rogue Lightning, Regional and Believing are just three of several other interesting contenders, while Twilight Calls, in the frame in the last two runnings, cannot be left out either.

First run in 1834, this mile contest for three-year-old colts is the third Group 1 of the opening day and often features a clash between the Guineas combatants in Britain, France and Ireland. The preponderance of strong Guineas form means favourites have a good record, with 14 winning in the 23 running's since 2000. No winner has been bigger than 10-1 in that period and only one (Circus Maximus) came from outside the top four in the betting. The last shock winner was Brief Truce at 25-1 in 1992.

A cracking St James's Palace Stakes which, not for the first time, features a fascinating clash of Guineas winners and other improving colts. Notable Speech has the strongest claims going into this race, being top rated and still unbeaten, so he's not easy to oppose. However, ROSALLION hit the front sooner than ideal when beaten by that rival at Newmarket and, with a delayed challenge on the cards, he could well reverse the placings in this exciting rematch. Additionally, it augurs well that the selection is a very similar type to the Hannon yard's two winners of this contest. Henry Longfellow (third choice) remains of strong interest and his trainer has won this event nine times. French raiders Metropolitan and Darlinghurst are progressing well, as is Almaqam.


This Group 2 contest for older fillies and mares is run over the straight mile and was introduced in 2004 with the aim of encouraging connections to keep female runners in training beyond their three-year-old campaigns. Saffron Beach became the sixth successful favourite or joint-favourite in the 19 runnings. Seven of the last ten winners came from the top three in the betting.

Preference is for last year's winner ROGUE MILLENNIUM, who was runner-up in a Group 1 at Leopardstown last autumn and joined Joseph O'Brien after a 1,650,000gns sale in December. She was held in third of six behind Ocean Jewel at the Curragh on her reappearance but didn't get much luck in that race and that should set her up nicely for a bold bid in defence of her crown here. Ocean Jewel has a penalty for her recent win but this progressive filly is still unexposed at this trip and she's feared most, ahead of the selection's stablemate Gregarina, who won a Group 3 on her stable debut last month and should appreciate this step back up to 1m. The lightly raced Laurel returns from over a year off but her peak form puts her firmly in the picture and she's respected for a yard that won this in 2020 and 2021.


First run in 1843, this is the first of the week’s heritage handicaps to feature a cavalry charge down the straight course, with 30 runners fanning out in the mile contest for three-year-olds and up. The market has been no better than a fair guide, with seven of the 13 winners outside the top seven in the betting since the gambled-on Forgotten Voice was the last winning favourite in 2009.

Being a lightly raced 4yo who looks the type to improve further, BESHTANI is particularly interesting. Real Gain, another Wathnan Racing representative who has similarly appealing claims, is second choice ahead of Streets Of Gold and Holloway Boy who both warrant respect with the Ascot factor in mind. Wild Tiger and Sonny Liston are obvious players, as the early betting reflects, while Metal Merchant and Talis Evolvere are solid contenders who should perform well.


First run in 1862 and reduced in distance to a mile and a quarter on its revival in 1968, this Group 1 showpiece is often the top-ranked contest of Royal Ascot, based on the ratings of the first four finishers. In a sign that the cream rises to the top, only two of the 23 winners since 2000 were outside the top three in the betting.


While there is no disputing Auguste Rodin's class and he is up to winning this race on one of his good days, it is hard to forget that three of his last eight performances have been shockers. He was also a couple of notches below his best last time in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and there's reason enough to take him on when he's a red-hot favourite. Inspiral (second choice) made a muted reappearance last month but she has run well over 1m at the last two Royal Ascots and 1m2f may now be the way to go with her following her win when first tried at this trip last November at the Breeders' Cup. Alflaila holds possibilities but watch out also for the strong French challenge from HORIZON DORE (nap) and Blue Rose Cen. The latter has the higher profile but Horizon Dore is a Group 1 winner in waiting and, after a succession of races in the mud this season, he is now taken to deliver a telling late challenge.


First run in 1919, this 1m4f highlight is the meeting’s premier race for middle-distance fillies from the Classic generation and often draws runners who have competed in the Oaks or atleast the trials. Only one of the last 16 winners was outside the top five in the market, with ten of them in the top two.

Diamond Rain made it 2-2 with a stylish Listed win at Newbury last month and could be a top prospect for Charlie Appleby but a chance is taken that RUBIES ARE RED can bounce back from her heavy defeat in the Oaks. The suspicion that Epsom may not have suited her is bolstered by her eyecatching performance in the Lingfield Oaks Trial, when she became detached on the downhill section before storming home for a close second to You Got To Me (who was subsequently fourth in the Oaks). She earns the vote despite Ryan Moore riding her Ballydoyle stablemate Port Fairy, who is unexposed and could also be firmly involved. Kalpana and Lava Stream are others to consider.

Founded in 1807, this is one of the crown jewels of Royal Ascot and at two and a half miles is the premier staying race of the British Flat season. Fancied runners have an excellent record. Only three of the 23 winners since 2000 were outside the top four in the market and 16 were in the top two.

Kyprios could start odds-on but the form which would justify that position comes from 2022 and the best of it was on soft ground at Longchamp, not from his half-length win in this race, exceedingly game though it was. The less demanding company this season has not given him the opportunity for a big rating but he ran here on Champions Day last October and was beaten by TRAWLERMAN. The margin was only a neck, after Kyprios looked set for a clearcut win, but Trawlerman's rally offers the possibility of better still over this longer distance and his previous four turf wins in 2022 and 2023 were all on good to firm, including an Ebor. While Kyprios has to be second on the list, last year's runner-up Coltrane should again figure in the heat of the battle and Gregory is the one who could be open to major improvement. The 2023 Royal Ascot handicap winner Vauban is also highly respected and a few of the others are not far behind the principals on ratings.

Dating back to 1834, this Group 2 over 1m4f for Three-year-olds comes just under three weeks after the Derby at Epsom and was once officially called the Ascot Derby, as it still is colloquially, such is the close link between the races. Twenty of the last 25 winners have been no bigger than 7-1.

Aidan O'Brien has whittled down nine possibles at the start of the week to four declared runners and Ryan Moore's mount DIEGO VELAZQUEZ may well be the pick of them. Closely related to the very classy Broome who won the Hardwicke over this C&D two years ago, he was only eighth in the French Derby last time but could be a different proposition back on forecast quicker ground. The unexposed Space Legend was unlucky at Goodwood and is feared most, with the French-trained pair Calandagan and Mondo Man also respected. Voyage, who won on his debut before leading the field home riderless in the Derby, is an unknown quantity and impossible to rule out.

HIS 6f sprint for three-year-olds was introduced in 2015 with the aim of allowing them to compete at the top level against their contemporaries without having to take on older horses at such an early stage of the season. Fancied horses have done well, with five of the eight winners coming from the top three in the market.

What seemed likely to be a notably strong Commonwealth Cup has been diluted by the late defections of Group 1 winners Vandeek and Bucanero Fuerte, but we're still left with a competitive affair featuring several unexposed types. Among them are the front-running Inisherin, who proved well suited by the switch to sprinting in the Sandy Lane, and Elite Status who accounted for three of today's rivals in a warm Newbury Listed race last month. Top of the list is JASOUR after a ready reappearance success in the Pavilion Stakes over this C&D. He's unbeaten for Jim Crowley and his trainer Clive Cox won this race in 2020 with Golden Horde. Most of the others have a bit to find on the figures, but Kind Of Blue and Pandora's Gift arrive on a roll and could be anything.

Founded to commemorate the crowning of Queen Victoria in 1838 and first run in 1840, this is the premier race for three-year-old fillies at Royal Ascot and, like the St James’s Palace Stakes for colts on day one, often features a clash between the major Guineas winners. Since 2000, Fallen For You (2012) and Watch Me (2019) are the only winners who weren’t in the first four in the betting and the only ones sent off bigger than 8-1.

Compensation awaits RAMATUELLE, who looked the best filly in the 1,000 Guineas and seems likely to play her cards later than at Newmarket where she might well have won but for hitting the front too soon. Oisin Murphy takes over from usual rider Aurelien Lemaitre. Porta Fortuna (second choice) also has a good chance of reversing Newmarket placings with Elmalka, who had everything drop right. Opera Singer is highly respected on her Boussac form.

First run in 1879, this Group 2 race over 1m4f is for four-year-olds and upwards and often provides a showcase for horses who were in the Derby picture the previous year. The market has been a good guide recently, with 13 of the last 17 winners coming from the first three in the betting. Six of the seven successful favourites in that period were trained by Stoute or O’Brien.

Bahrain revelation ISLE OF JURA continued the excellent work when winning a 1m2f Listed race at Goodwood last month, and the relentless progress he made from the rear that day suggests he will be seen to even better effect now he's back up to 1m4f. US challenger Missed The Cut, who was a 3yo winner at this meeting in 2022, was second in a hot Grade 2 at Keeneland last time and is second choice ahead of Middle Earth, who could be set for a very productive campaign on the back of his Group 3 reappearance win at Newbury. St Leger winner Continuous holds leading form claims and has to be respected despite the lack of a recent run, while Desert Hero may still be a 4yo to follow despite his Newbury flop.

Inaugurated in 1868 and long known as the Cork and Orrery Stakes, this has held Group 1 status since 2002 when it was renamed first to celebrate the golden jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. This is the big 6f sprint of the week for older horses (open only to four-year-olds and upwards since the advent of the Commonwealth Cup for three-year-olds). Since the race was upgraded to Group 1 nine of the 21 winners were priced in double figures, with only five successful favourites.

The filly BELIEVING ran a cracker when fourth in the King Charles III Stakes here on Tuesday and, having kept on well, there is a suspicion that 6f suits her even better. She earns the vote ahead of Shartash, who is 2-2 for Archie Watson and should be ideally suited by this stiff 6f. Mill Stream and Mitbaahy have been better than ever this season and bring solid credentials, while last year's winner Khaadem and the front-runner Quinault could go well at bigger odds.

First run in 1840, the Queen Anne Stakes commemorates the monarch who established racing at Ascot and is the meeting’s top mile race for older horses (aged four and up). Baaeed was the eighth successful favourite in the last 12 runnings and the third in a row. That marks a resumption of the normal pattern following a couple of upsets for Accidental Agent (33-1) and Lord Glitters (14-1) in 2018 and 2019. Before them, the last winner from outside the top four in the betting was Refuse To Bend (12-1) in 2004.


This year's Queen Anne is loaded with pace and likely to be strongly run, which leaves Lockinge winner Audience looking vulnerable, especially over this stiffer 1m. Big Rock is also among the likely front-runners but his peak rating, achieved in last year's QEII over C&D, sets an impressive standard. This should set up nicely for Charyn (second choice) who commands major respect on 2024 form, while 2023 Royal Ascot winners Docklands (third choice) and Witch Hunter are interesting at bigger odds. Maljoom, who was desperately unlucky on this card in 2022, also figures in calculations. However, the selection is FACTEUR CHEVAL who has been a solid performer throughout his career and is evidently still improving judged on his Dubai Turf success. Furthermore, he's bred to run this course fast, being a son of Ribchester who broke the track record (which still stands) in this race seven years ago.

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