Royal Ascot Day 5 Betting Tips
Royal Ascot draws to a close on Saturday with another brilliant card headlined by the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at 15:40.
There are six other competitive puzzles to get stuck into on the final day of the five day meeting and here are our best bets for every race.
14:30 – Ascot - Chesham Stakes
The Chesham market revolves around horses who are trained by Aidan O’Brien and Charlie Appleby. While Moments Of Joy and Treanmor are smart long-term prospects, Humidity, trained by Andrew Balding, has stronger form than both and is the suggestion. He recorded a good time when battling to victory in an 18-runner field at Newbury over 6f and an extra furlong can prompt a step forward. He is bred for this race as a brother to the 2022 winner Holloway Boy.
Selection: Humidity
15:05 – Ascot - Hardwicke Stakes
Rebel’s Romance looks a favourite to oppose in the Hardwicke Stakes. He was workmanlike in the Yorkshire Cup and the trip can’t have been to blame given the slow pace they went. Preference is for Al Riffa, who is top class on his day and has shaped as if needing this 1m4f trip for some time. He bolted up on his first attempt at it in a German Group 1 and will find this easier than the Arc. This is weaker than the races he usually contests.
Selection: Al Riffa
15:40 – Ascot - Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes
There is a surprising lack of early pace in the field for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes and the prominent racers may be at an advantage in that scenario. From stall seven Topgear is likely to be handy and he arrives with plenty to recommend him after two excellent victories over 7f. This French-trained rapid improver thrashed Royal Scotsman in a Newmarket Group 2 last autumn and should take a good step forward from his comfortable victory in a Longchamp Group 3 last month. This has been his target.
Selection: Topgear
16:20 – Ascot - Jersey Stakes
Course form is always handy at Ascot and Brian, who was fourth in the Commonwealth Cup Trial last month, catches the eye at a big price in the Jersey Stakes. He was third in the Chesham last year and fourth in the Pat Eddery behind horses who were first and second in a Canadian Grade 1 six weeks later. Brian was drawn away from where the action unfolded in his last race but ran on well for fourth, hinting at being suited by a return to 7f. That was an encouraging debut for the Stan Moore stable.
Selection: Brian
17:00 – Ascot - Wokingham Stakes
Germanic is drawn three boxes away from bullet sprinter Get It in the Wokingham and should have this race run to suit his free-going tendencies. He has good all-weather form, which transfers well to the straight track at Ascot, and showed improved form on his second start for Julie Camacho last month when serving it up to the thriving Ferrous. Camacho is selective with her Ascot raids (two wins, four seconds and two thirds from 17 runners in the past five years) and it is unlikely we have seen the best of Germanic. Selection: Germanic
17:35 – Ascot - Golden Gates Stakes
Prolific Scandinavian trainer Niels Petersen saddles his first British runner in War Socks, who appeals at monster odds under Silvestre de Sousa in the Golden Gates. War Socks has been campaigned like a good horse by Petersen as his first two runs came in 6f Meydan races against smart sprinter Symbol Of Honour. He enhanced his form greatly when upped to a mile in the Jumeirah 2,000 Guineas behind Ruling Court and won a Swedish race as he liked last time. The son of Kameko shapes as if 1m2f will help from a nice draw in stall 11.
Selection: War Socks
18:10 – Ascot - Queen Alexandra Stakes
Willie Mullins is responsible for Queen Alexandra hot favourite Sober, who was a smart stayer in France last season. He could be a class apart on his first Flat run for the yard, although he is unproven on quick ground and Wild Waves rates a reasonable alternative. Wild Waves hasn’t been seen to best effect this season, but has been improving and finally gets the thorough test of stamina he wants in Britain’s longest race. His Melrose fourth last term on this terrain was an eyecatching effort and he is bred to keep progressing.
Selection: Wild Waves
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation