Royal Ascot gets underway next week as spectators will gather in their numbers for five days of exceptional flat racing in Berkshire.
There are several exciting Group 1 races over the course of the festival and these are some of the standout horses to look out for.
Tuesday: St James’ Palace Stakes
This one mile spectacle is a great one to get Royal Ascot up and running. It is a race that has been won by some big stars in recent years, such as the invincible Frankel in 2012. The current favourite for this year’s entry is Paddington (15/8). Trained by the legendary Aiden O’Brien, the three-year-old is unbeaten in his last four races and is heading to Ascot full of confidence. His last outing happened to be the biggest victory of his career in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.
Chaldean (2/1) is going to push Paddington close for the title at Ascot. He is a horse that will go down in history after being Frankie Dettori’s first winner in his farewell season to land the 2,000 Guineas. Cicero’s Gift (7/2) is unbeaten in his first career outings to date, sealing the hat-trick to storm to victory in the Conditions Stakes at Goodwood in May.
Wednesday: Prince of Wales’ Stakes
The biggest race of day two is the Prince of Wales’ Stakes which is run over a mile-and-a-quarter. It is one of the biggest races in the calendar for horses aged four and up. 2021 Epsom Derby winner Adayar (2/1) is the joint-favourite for this one. The five-year-old has great pedigree in racing and is out to land his second victory at Ascot after winning the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes in 2021.
Luxembourg (2/1) is preparing to make his Ascot debut and heads to the festival with six victories from nine outings on flat turf. My Prospero (7/2) looks in great shape according to trainer William Haggas. The four-year-old narrowly missed out by a neck in the St James’ Palace Stakes last year, losing to Coroebus. There is certainly unfinished business at Ascot for Haggas and his team.
This two-and-a-half mile feature is one of the highlights of Royal Ascot. A race that has been around since 1807, the crowds are going to witness some of the best stayers in action. Six-year-old Coltrane (11/4) is the overwhelming favourite in this one after having tasted success twice at Ascot in the past while placing in his other appearance.
He will be challenged by Eldar Eldarov (3/1), who is chasing his own second success at Royal Ascot after his narrow victory in the Queen’s Vase in 2022. Emily Dickinson (6/1) heads to Ascot hoping to be Aiden O’Brien’s ninth winner in the Gold Cup, after Kyprios was his eighth champion last summer.
The penultimate day at Royal Ascot provides this one mile fillies classic for horses aged three years and over. Tahiyra (4/5) is going to be tough to beat in this contest after winning three of her four career races.
Her closest challenger is set to be Mawj (5/2), who lost out to Tahiyra by half a length on their last outing at Newmarket in May. Mawj herself has experienced two Stakes victories in five runs during her career, but it will take a special ride to land this one.
Meditate (7/1) also lost out to Tahiyra at Newmarket by half a length last time out. Judging by that it should be pretty close between these three stars at Ascot but Tahiyra certainly has the advantage heading into it.
Saturday: Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes
The festival gets drawn to a close with a fascinating sprint race over six furlongs. The current favourite is Artorius (4/1), with co-trainer Sam Freedman saying he is in good shape for his Royal Ascot return. He lost out to Naval Crown by ¾ length in this race last year but his form of late hints that he could make amends this time around.
Four-time Group 1 winner Wellington (6/1) is embracing his Royal Ascot bow in the Jubilee Stakes after an impressive career in Hong Kong. It will be interesting to see how he takes to the new environment but there is no questioning of his ability as a sprinter.
Highfield Princess (7/1) lost out by one-and-a-half lengths in this race last year and the six-year-old mare has won three of her five races since. She could come close again this year but it is going to be a fiercely competitive field.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change | Odds Courtesy Of Betfred
