Royal Ascot Day 4 Betting Tips
Royal Ascot builds to its climax on Friday, as the three-year-olds take centre stage in terms of the top-level action.
The feature race on the penultimate day of the royal meeting is the Coronation Stakes (16:20) over a mile for the fillies, which comes after the young sprinters have strutted their stuff in the Commonwealth Cup (15:05).
There are seven races in all at Royal Ascot on Friday and we have selected our best bets.
14:30 – Ascot - Albany Stakes
If IPANEMA QUEEN were with a bigger yard, you fancy she would be well into single-figure odds for the Albany Stakes. She won impressively at the Curragh on debut, in a good time, and has since been bought privately by deep-pocketed connections. She has been drawn in stall 17, and that side has been favoured on the straight course all week.
Selection: Ipanema Queen
15:05 – Ascot - Commonwealth Cup
The 2025 Poule d'Essai Des Poulains was a good renewal and JONQUIL did well to run Henri Matisse to a head in the race. He was drawn a lot wider and failed to enjoy a good trip. The sprint division among three-year-olds is not thought to be scintillating and this classy sort, who has Frankel not too far away in his pedigree, can land a first Group 1.
Selection: Jonquil
15:40 – Ascot - Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes
Since finishing sixth at this meeting last year, FRENCH DUKE has gone from strength to strength. He came from behind in a steadily run race at Glorious Goodwood and then ran into one at Ascot in September. He is a big strapping sort, so should improve again this season, and it might be right away if he is fit.
Selection: French Duke
16:20 – Ascot - Coronation Stakes
The money keeps coming for FALAKEYAH in the Coronation Stakes and rightly so. This filly has quickly reached a very smart level, scooting in at Newmarket last time despite clear signs of inexperience. That was just her second start, so she could keep learning the job and this return to 1m is sensible. She has so much speed she was never likely to be an Oaks filly and her trainer, Owen Burrows, does well at Ascot.
Selection: Falakeyah
17:00 – Ascot - Sandringham Stakes
In the Sandringham, potential can often count for more than class. However, BETTY CLOVER is the class angle and she has everything in her favour. She was beaten a nose by Crimson Advocate - who won a Group 2 here on Wednesday - in a Listed race two starts back and then was a two-length third in a Group 2 at Chantilly on French Derby day. Against that backdrop, a handicap mark of 100 is not beyond her and she is also drawn kindly into stall 23.
Selection: Betty Clover
17:35 – Ascot - King Edward VII Stakes
Barring a head defeat on debut, ZAHRANN has won all of his races and he really did impress in a Listed event at Leopardstown last time. Out the back and forced wide as heads turned up Leopardstown's relatively short straight, he took off and won by more than two lengths in the end. He can take this step up to Group 2 level in his stride.
Selection: Zahrann
18:10 — Ascot - Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes
Although he has been running over 6f, HAMMER THE HAMMER might be the fastest horse in this 5f dash. He overcame a wide stall to lead at Chester last time, not giving his rivals a sniff, and before that he had been just as impressive at Southwell. He is on the way to Group sprints and can win this handicap en route to that level.
Selection: Hammer The Hammer
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation