Royal Ascot tips today: Best selections for Tuesday and race-by-race results
Picks for each race from distinguished experts Marlborough and Racing Correspondent Marcus Armytage.
The Royal Ascot event has begun and if you need betting advice for the amazing five days of activity in Berkshire, Telegraph Sport is your best source.
You have the opportunity to delve into eight Group 1 races and numerous highly contested handicaps and two-year-old races. These races may be difficult to decipher, but they present excellent opportunities to choose wisely and make profitable selections.
We have advice for every competition given by three respected judges. Additionally, Racing Correspondent Marcus Armytage has provided a comprehensive guide for each of the 35 races along with their outcomes.
Find the top-notch betting deals for Royal Ascot from our affiliates by clicking this link. Additionally, stay updated with the happenings at the meeting starting from day one by following them on this platform.
Ascot Tips: Tuesday's Royalty
The upcoming Coventry Stakes (Group 2) competition will be held at 3:05pm.
The upcoming renewal appears promising and of high caliber. Charlie Appleby has two strong contenders in Al Qudra and Symbol Of Honour, who both won impressively in their last races on different racing surfaces at Lingfield. However, despite their victories, they both trailed behind THE ACTOR in a 5f novice race at Newmarket’s Guineas meeting, which has proven to be highly competitive and could impact the Royal meeting. THE ACTOR will be racing over 6 furlongs for the first time but is expected to handle the distance increase with ease.
The King Charles III Stakes (Group 1) race is scheduled for 3:45 pm.
Currently, the sprint division seems to be open and lacking in superstar talent, which is reflected in this year's competition. Big Evs has performed well and is highly respected in this field, while Twilight Calls caught the attention in their only race this year at Newmarket. However, ASFOORA is predicted to improve significantly from their previous race in the Temple Stakes, where they put in a strong performance but tired towards the end. They seem to have the potential to do even better next time, especially with the change to fast ground and Oisin Murphy as their jockey. All of these factors bode well for ASFOORA's chances, and they could come very close to winning.
The upcoming St James's Palace Stakes (Group 1) event will take place at 4:25 pm.
The upcoming race is set to be an exciting one, with the winners of the English, Irish, and French Guineas all competing against one another. Notable Speech has been successful in all four of his previous races, but it's possible that his position towards the rear of the field in the 2000 Guineas may have made his performance appear better than it was. On the other hand, ROSALLION worked hard and remained towards the front of the race, though ultimately lost steam towards the end. This time around, the two may finish closer in rank, with ROSALLION projected to perform better than he did at Newmarket. Alayanaabi is also expected to do well and round out the top three spots.
At 5:05pm, the Ascot Stakes (Handicap) will take place.
Coach Jarlath Fahey has sent only one horse to compete at Royal Ascot, and he managed to win with Jennies Jewel in 2016. This year, he enters another horse in the same race, and Boher Road has won three of its last four flat races. It's impressive to have such a winning record, and it's possible Boher Road is still improving. We can expect great things from this horse, and it has a good chance of winning, though there are several other strong competitors in the running. Zanndabad is one such horse - it placed third in the Chester Cup, so it knows how to compete against tough competition. Plus, it has the added advantage of having Champion jockey William Buick as its rider.
The upcoming race known as Wolferton Stakes (Listed) will take place at 5:40pm.
According to the market, John and Thady Gosden have two top-notch horses named Israr and TORITO, who are likely to perform very well. Israr came in second place in the Huxley Stakes last month, which indicates that he may do well on this type of ground. Moreover, TORITO has been unlucky recently due to certain circumstances; he had a difficult time during his last race at the Hampton Court Stakes, and he won his "group" by more than four lengths during the Suffolk Stakes on 2000 Guineas day. He still has room for growth and could impress us with his performance in this race.
The Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap) race will commence at 6:15pm.
The training duo of John and Thady Gosden are hoping for a successful day with INTINSO, who is starting from the inside draw in stall 2. Despite this challenge, INTINSO is expected to deliver a remarkable performance. In his previous outing, he did well in his first attempt at 1m6f. Furthermore, he is wearing a tongue tie for the first time, which could help him perform better. He has only competed in eight races thus far, so he may still have room for improvement. FOX JOURNEY is another horse to watch out for as he won his sole race this season by a large margin at 1m4f. As a result, he could provide strong competition for INTINSO.
Today's racing events are featuring some exciting horses. At 3.05, we have Andesite (NR), followed by Big Evs at 3.45. A horse to look out for is Notable Speech at 4.25, and for the NAP of the day, we have Divine Comedy at 5.05. At 5.40, we have Torito making an appearance, followed by A Piece of Heaven at 6.15. It's sure to be a thrilling day of racing!
Here are some alternative ways to rephrase the blog section in simpler language: - At 3:05, the race called Catalyse will take place. - The Big Evs event starts at 3:45. - The most favored horse to win at 4:25 is named Rosallion. - The best bet of the day, known as the NAP, is Pledgeofallegiance and it runs at 5:05. - Israr is another horse to keep an eye on, racing at 5:40. - Lastly, the race called Naquub will begin at 6:15.
Race Results Of Royal Ascot 2024
The first day of the races is always a big one, with three major Group One races happening right away. This day is perfect for those who are really into horse racing. The St James's Palace Stakes is especially exciting this year, as it features the winners of the Newmarket Guineas, the French Guineas, and the Irish Guineas all going head-to-head. There are also a couple of other talented three-year-old colts in the mix. Whoever comes out on top in this race will gain a lot of respect in the horse racing world.
The outcome of the Queen Anne Stakes, which is categorized as a Group 1 race, was as follows:
The Coventry Stakes (Group 2) at 3:05 pm is considered the most important race for young horses in the meeting. It's a challenging race, as the victor must possess both quick learning skills and talent. There isn't much information available about the horses, as they have only raced a few times, mostly two or three. Many trainers feel hopeful about their odds, as it's early in the season and their horses still have a lot of potential.
The King Charles III Stakes (Group 1) race starts at 3:45 pm and only covers a short distance of five furlongs. It's one of the fastest races and is called so in honor of the current king. Interestingly, this race started in 1860 after the original two-mile race couldn't take place due to waterlogged ground. Sprinters have to be really good to win this race, and one of our favorites is the speedy Big Evs. He won the prestigious Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf sprint in the United States when he was only two years old, which makes him a strong contender for the win this year as well.
At 4:25pm, the St James's Palace Stakes (Group 1) will take place, and it will likely determine which three-year-old horse is the best milers of this year's Classic generation. Although the course has a sharp turn, it shouldn't significantly impact the race. Metropolitan is best suited for damp conditions, while Rosallion performed exceptionally well in Ireland and is impressive to look at. However, it was Notable Speech who managed to beat Rosallion at Newmarket despite appearing a bit inexperienced. Although Notable Speech is unbeaten and will likely win again, odds will reflect this.
The Ascot Stakes (Handicap) will be held at 5:05 pm. If the King Charles III race finishes quickly, this one will be a longer affair. It's a two and a half mile handicap race that's mostly for jumps trainers to show off in their fancy suits. The horses to watch out for are The Shunter and Pied Piper, who both did well in the Cesarewitch competition last fall.
The Wolferton Stakes (Listed) race will take place at 5:40 pm and it will be another contest where horses carry different weights according to their previous performance. The distance of this race is one mile and a quarter. It's not always clear how well horses that performed well at York will do at Ascot and the other way round. However, Botanical won by a considerable margin in its first race at York this season, so it will likely be a popular choice to continue rising through the handicap rankings. The fact that William Buick will ride this horse is a promising sign.
At 6:15pm, there will be a race called the Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap). It is a new race that has been added to the event and it is named after a statue of George III that can be found on Snow Hill at the south end of the Long Walk in Windsor Great Park. The statue is actually made from melted brass canon which is quite ironic. The mare called Divine Comedy is taking part in the Ascot Stakes as well, but if her trainer, Harry Eustace, chooses to participate in the Copper Horse Stakes, she will be tough to beat. Harry Eustace is a young trainer who has already achieved excellent results at Royal Ascot. In the years 2022 and 2023, he has had winners here.
Typically, one would consider the Prince of Wales’s Stakes as a Group One race. However, there seems to be only one exceptional contender in it, Auguste Rodin, who won the Derby last year. His performance varies greatly, as he can either triumph or completely give up based on his mood. In his recent race, he secured a new outcome - second place, which isn't exactly a strong victory nor a significant loss. Hence, I'm uncertain about what to expect from him.
Today's Tip:
Richard Hughes was successful in riding over 30 winners at Royal Ascot. However, he has yet to achieve success as a trainer at the event. It is worth noting that he has not had many opportunities until this year, where he has a strong contender in Real Gain for the Royal Hunt Cup. The draw for the race will play a significant role in determining the outcome. Real Gain has been purchased by Wathnan Racing, indicating confidence in his potential. He may even be capable of competing at the Group level, despite being in a handicap race.
The Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) is happening at 2:30 pm and lots of trainers are feeling confident about their chances in this race, which is filled with one-run winners who are very fast. It's hard to compare the British form of racing to the American form, especially when it comes to Wesley Ward's three potential racers. The favorite to win is likely to be Make Haste, a horse trained by a Brazilian trainer in Ireland. The soft ground makes it less likely for the speedy US horses to do well, and their strategy of trying to get ahead quickly often means they tire out towards the end of the race. This often allows a slower horse to catch up and win.
The Queen's Vase (Group 2) is a race that offers some comfort to Derby horses that aren't very fast or could be considered as an initial test for St Leger horses. This kind of race is preferred by Aidan O'Brien for his horses which can have a potential of winning the Gold Cup in the future. I find Jessica Harrington's Birdman very promising as he has won two matches without any defeat and is improving steadily.
At 3:45 pm, there'll be a Group Two mile race specifically for mares and fillies called the Duke of Cambridge Stakes. Although the Prince of Wales isn't too keen on horses that don't play polo, he'll be keeping an eye on two races that stand back-to-back on Wednesday. Laurel, who's owned by John and Thady Gosden, is expected to be the crowd favorite. However, the mare hasn't competed in a year since finishing last in the Lockinge. Plus, it isn't easy to make a comeback after a long time, as proved by Inspiral - who belongs to the same owner and trainer - in the Queen Anne last year.
At 4:25 pm, the Prince Of Wales's Stakes Group 1 will commence. Although Auguste Rodin is considered to be the best, his performance is unpredictable. He has only visited this location once before, during last year's King George competition, and was defeated by a whopping 127 lengths. Therefore, it would be best to assume that if he appears in person, he may not be in the right mindset. It's unclear why White Birch is only 5-2 in the odds when he previously beat Auguste Rodin by an easy three lengths and Auguste Rodin is 6-4. Personally, I believe White Birch will be the victor.
I'm not entirely certain if Real Gain should be my top pick for today's Royal Hunt Cup (Handicap) at 5:05 pm. This race is a bit of a gamble and can be quite chaotic. However, the trainer seems to be optimistic about the horse's chances despite its starting position. There are many other horses that also have a shot at winning at decent odds. Jimi Hendrix won this race last year and the same stable's Sonny Liston, who came in second and won the group on his side of the course last year, is expected to perform well again.
At 5:40 pm, the Kensington Palace Stakes (Handicap) will take place for female horses running a mile. If it rains, Doha may be worth watching as she is decreasing her distance. Another horse to keep an eye on is Elim. After a year off the track, she has recently returned and Ed Bethall has enlisted talented Australian female jockey Rachel King to ride her during the six-day declarations. Although Rachel is English, she is doing exceptionally well in Australia and is currently on her honeymoon in England.
Don't blink, or you may miss the quick-paced Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed) race at 6:15pm. Archie Watson is known for performing well in this type of race, so it's worth taking a closer look at Bath winner Aesterius and Chepstow champ Vingegaard. However, there are many speedy young horses in the mix with limited track records to analyze.
The Gold Cup is a prestigious horse race and also the longest Group One race worldwide. This race has been held since 1807. Since many of the participating horses are used to shorter distances, it is crucial to have a good draw. Ideally, your mount should be on the inside so that it can relax and take it easy for the first mile and a half. Otherwise, being positioned too far out can result in the horse becoming restless and over-exerting itself.
Top Daily Pick
All the trainers of the royal horses are trying their utmost best to win at Ascot for the King and Queen. Unfortunately, only one trainer, William Haggas, has won last year with Desert Hero. This year, there is a strong possibility that they will win as long as the weather conditions are favourable. Gilded Water seems like a promising choice for either the King George V Stakes or the Hampton Court, should the trainers decide to take a risk. Gilded Water has already won by a huge margin of seven and a half lengths at Chepstow on good-to-soft ground. Although he has to improve his performance, he is definitely heading in the right direction.
The Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) is a race for young, fast horses. Some of these horses are entered in other races as well. An interestingly named horse, Whistlejacket from Aidan O'Brien's stable, won easily in the last race and is the one to beat. The horse is named after a famous racehorse from the 18th century that was painted by the renowned equine artist, George Stubbs.
Let's talk about the King George V Stakes (Handicap) at 3:05. We previously talked about the horse Gilded Water who is owned by the royal family. However, it's important to wait and see which horses are entered closer to the race and know the condition of the track. Trainer George Boughey's horse, Fouroneohfever, has won three previous races which is impressive and could perform even better with the longer distance. This could lead to a potential first royal victory for rising star trainer Billy Loughnane.
The Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2) is happening at 3:45 pm. It's a race for the fillies who couldn't make it to the Classic at Epsom. They are now hoping to perform better at Ascot than they did at Tattenham Hill and not get too exhausted during it. Personally, I'm rooting for Lava Stream, who won at Goodwood and has the potential to do even better if given an extra quarter of a mile. Plus, her odds are pretty good.
In the upcoming Gold Cup (Group 1) race at 4:25, Kyprios is expected to compete as a previous winner of the race two years ago. Despite playing second fiddle to Frankie Dettori's controversial ride on Stradivarius at the time, Kyprios went on to claim victory in the Goodwood Cup, Irish St Leger, and Cadran. Following a year's hiatus, Kyprios returned last autumn and while he may not have been in top form, he has won both of his starts this season. Kyprios has a tendency to race lackadaisically and just do enough to secure the win, which could be to his advantage. Coltrane and Gregory are expected to come in behind him in the race.
The Britannia Stakes (Handicap) is a race for three-year-olds that spans a mile. If you're placing a bet, a horse that is well positioned and not overrated would be ideal, however, it's still too early to decide. Three-year-olds typically develop at varying rates, making it better to keep track of the odds. Currently, I favor Arctic Thunder, although I may revise my opinion in the future. This was a similar case to what happened with I Am Maximus in the Grand National. I was rooting for him for a month prior to the race, but couldn't bring myself to bet on him on the day.
In the upcoming Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3) race at 5.40, Bracken's Laugh seems like a strong contender. Despite struggling at Chester last time and coming in second, this was during a Derby trial and his size may have played a factor. However, he is capable of performing well on any type of ground and with a fast pace, there is a high chance of him winning. So, if he does pull off the win, let's meet up at the Tote payout line afterwards.
At 6.15, the Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap) took place. Carrytheone managed to win in a close battle in the previous race, despite facing some difficulties while running. However, the horse had a poor start in the Victoria Cup, which was also held over the same course and distance. It is hoped that this was just a singular issue and not a pattern specific to Ascot.
The second best race on the second day of the races is the Coronation Stakes, where three-year-old fillies compete. Not all of the top winners are participating this year, as Fallen Angel, who won the English, French, and Irish Guineas, isn't running. The upcoming race will reveal if Elmalka, the winner of the Newmarket race, was just lucky and took advantage of a speedy competition, if Ramatuelle, guided by jockey Oisin Murphy, improves from her past performances, and if Opera Singer, who placed third in an Irish race, is in top form for this tournament.
Today's Top Bet
There's a fast horse named Blue Storm being trained by a talented new trainer called Gemma Tutty, who's based in Yorkshire. Blue Storm did really well in the Dash at Epsom, but we'll have to wait and see how he does on the different course at the Palace of Holyrood House Stakes. He's a sprinter, so he might take a bit of time to get going. Just be aware that if it rains too much, Blue Storm might not do so well.
The Albany Stakes is a race for young horses and there isn't a lot of information about them. It's best to wait for the market to make predictions, but I am personally interested in Simmering. If Simmering wins, it will be a big achievement for Ollie Sangster since he's only in his second season as a trainer, and his grandfather Robert was famously successful in owning horses in the '70s and '80s. A funny story is that actress Joan Collins once wore a name badge with 'Mrs Robert Sangster' to the Royal Enclosure and was almost kicked out by authorities.
The Commonwealth Cup (Group 1) is the upcoming race at 3.05. This race was inaugurated in 2015 to give three-year-old sprinters the opportunity to compete with their peers rather than facing defeat by their elders in either the Charles III or QEII Jubilee races. The previous year's winner was Shaquille. Inisherin has been added as a participant after their victory in the Sandy Lane at Haydock last week. Vandeek is also competing after being an unbeaten two-year-old with impressive speed. Elite Status, who set a track record at Newbury during their return, is the favorite to win.
In the Coronation Stakes (Group 1) race at 3.45, the French competitors have been absent for a few years. They have not been as successful due to the lack of talented horses. However, Christopher Head, who comes from a family of esteemed French horse racers, is leading a comeback. Ramatuelle did not seem to have the stamina to keep up with the Guineas winner, Elmalka, when she came in third place. Nonetheless, Ramatuelle was able to maintain her position throughout the race and was instructed to race early by her French jockey who has since been replaced by Oisin Murphy. The race's bend will benefit Ramatuelle's performance, and the French team should be back to their winning ways.
Last year, Joseph O'Brien won the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap), which is a mile-and-a-half handicap race. He has entered a few horses again this year. Six-year-old Bague D'Or, trained by James Ferguson, hasn't raced much over the past couple of seasons, so there's a chance for him to improve and potentially win the race before moving on to the Ebor at York, but only if he wins the upcoming race at Newmarket. Otherwise, four-year-olds have done well in this race historically.
The Sandringham Stakes (Handicap) at 5:05 is an interesting race to watch. Richard Hughes is counting on Fair Angelica to win and get him out of trouble. He had hoped that she would gain enough points during her first race to qualify for this one, but she only earned two points. As a result, he had to run her again. Fair Angelica won her last race with ease, but was given a 10-pound handicap by the judge. Despite this, there is still a chance that she might have an advantage over the others, even though the judge's decision appears harsh at first glance.
The King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2) taking place at 5.45 pm in Ascot is a race where Aidan O'Brien has entered many horses. The last race at Goodwood saw Meydaan and Space Legend competing, and it was a close one, but Space Legend was the one who gained an unfortunate loss. Wathnan Racing purchasing Space Legend is a positive sign, and all signs point towards Space Legend as the winner for this race.
In the Palace of Holyrood House Stakes (Handicap) at 6.20, my choice is Blue Storm. However, this is a race where everything must fit perfectly, as it is a handicap that only lasts five furlongs. Additionally, there may be one or two sprinters who are exceptionally talented in this race. We must also account for the draw when making our selection.
The upcoming Jubilee race might see an unlikely winner emerge, as there isn't a clear favorite among the sprinting stars. This race can often be a chance for a developing four-year-old to prove their skills in the mile and a half category against more experienced horses, before moving on to the King George in six weeks. Currently, Middle Earth and Continuous are looking like the top contenders for the race.
Today's Best Bet
Haatem came very close to winning the Irish 2,000 Guineas, but he lost momentum towards the end and Rosallion came out on top. However, Haatem still managed to finish in third place in the Newmarket Guineas. Without Rosallion in the race and facing a slightly easier challenge over a shorter distance of seven furlongs, it seems likely that Haatem will be a strong contender this week.
At 2:30pm, the Chesham Stakes (a Listed race) will provide an early challenge for less advanced two-year-olds that may be a bit slower. To qualify for this race, horses need to have a sire that won a race over at least one mile and a quarter. This makes it a potential win for horses like Bedtime Story, who could be prospective winners of the 2025 Derby, and a possible pick for Ryan Moore. However, I think Pentle Bay has a shot at victory by stepping up to seven furlongs. Despite a rocky start, he narrowly won at Leicester and should learn from this experience.
The Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) will take place at 3:05pm. Some of the horses in this race have been competing for a while now, such as Desert Hero who was the King's first Royal Ascot winner last year. The top horse in the race is likely to be Hamish, but it seems that the track will not be wet enough for him to perform at his best, unless Thames Water intervenes by watering the course. Another horse to consider is Isle of Jura, whose trainer George Scott has been doing very well this season. Isle of Jura has won three races in Bahrain and is on a winning streak of five races. The dry track conditions will suit him perfectly.
At 3:45pm, the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) will take place. Out of all the contenders, I am particularly interested in two: Shartash and Mill Stream. Shartash has already won two races under the guidance of Archie Watson, but I think he would excel on Ascot's challenging six furlongs. On the other hand, Mill Stream is showing steady improvement, but he still has some progress to make. Peter Harris owns Mill Stream, and I have fond memories of riding a winner in those same silks 40 years ago. Therefore, I will be rooting for the colt out of sentimental reasons.
The upcoming Jersey Stakes (Group 3) taking place at 4:25pm seems to be in Haatem's favor. He has already proven his worth by placing twice in the Group One Classics this season, and the fact that Wathnan Racing has purchased him further supports his potential. It seems unlikely that any contenders in this race will pose a significant challenge to Haatem.
The Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap) at 5.05 pm is a race where the outcome is hard to predict. If you ran it again and again, the result would likely be different every time. It's an unpredictable type of race. The ideal horse for this type of event is one that has the potential to perform at a higher level in the future. James's Delight is of this calibre. However, it remains to be seen if the ground will be soft enough for him to perform at his best.
At 5:40pm, the race known as the Golden Gates Stakes (Handicap) will take place. Hand of God has emerged victorious in his last two races. It appears that the reason for his lack of participation since April is due to the risk of altering his handicap score. However, the addition of Will Buick to the team is a positive change. It is worth noting that Hand of God won on good to firm ground, despite his last victory taking place on softer ground. It is particularly timely to mention Fivethousandtoone, especially if you are aligned with the Conservative Party and considering the upcoming election.
The last race of Royal Ascot is the Queen Alexandra Stakes, starting at 6:15pm. It's the longest race of the week but it doesn't really decide if the event was great or not. Before the race starts, the area where the horses are prepared looks similar to the one at Cheltenham in March. The main contenders here are usually horses trained by Willie Mullins or Nicky Henderson who excel at jumping hurdles. Marie's Rock is a potential candidate for the race but the ground might not be soft enough for her. Nevertheless, she's still a classy horse.
