Royal Ascot Day Five Tips: Through The Card Picks On Final Day
It's hard to believe with how quickly the week seems to have flown by, but Royal Ascot concludes for another season on Saturday. The final show looks set to sparkle again in Berkshire and once again we have you covered for Saturday tips at the Royal meeting, live on ITV Racing...
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14:30 Ascot - Chesham Stakes
In my opinion by far the strongest formline coming into this race is held by the favourite BEDTIME STORY, and so while we have been taught all week to tread carefully in these two-year old races I'm more than happy to row in with her and the new king of Ascot Ryan Moore.
Aidan O'Brien's charge saw off a more fancied stablemate Giselle last time out in a hot maiden at Leopardstown, with the two pulling clear in the style of two smart juveniles. In the fullness of time I'd be surprised if both weren't in the Classic conversation next season and as such Bedtime Story's win with Wayne Lordan on board is out of the top drawer. Moore taking over and a track like Ascot which should suit is good enough for me and hopefully we see a drift so that the price gets even juicier!
15:05 Ascot - Hardwicke Stakes
Billy has penned a full preview of the Hardwicke Stakes, in which he extols the virtues of plenty but comes down on the side of one decisively. Check it out below...
#AD 18+ New cust only. 7 days to place a qualifying bet of £10 at Evens (1/1) for 2 x £10 Free Bets (min odds 2/1) & 2 x £10 Free Accas (trebles & above at min odds per line 1/2). Expires 14/03/25 23:59. Cannot be used on e-sports & non UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. Full T&Cs apply.
15:45 Ascot - Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes
Like in this race previous, Billy has once again written a full race preview for this stunning sprint showdown. See which of the fourteen runners he recommends supporting...
16:25 Ascot - Jersey Stakes
I'm donning my Ballydoyle pyjamas again in this race as I am convinced seven furlongs is right up RIVER TIBER's street. I was with him last time out in the Irish Guineas at the Curragh and he ran with immense credit to finish less than two lengths off the winner. The winner was of course Rosallion who has boosted the form considerably since in winning the St James's Palace in thrilling fashion. The second at the Curragh Haatem is also in here but I think seven furlongs will see River Tiber reverse that piece of form.
This horse of course won the Coventry last season and therefore we know he likes the unique test that Royal Ascot throws up and I do think he is the clear form pick in here. His price of around 2/1 is more than acceptable, for all that there are a few lurkers in here. I wouldn't be quick to dismiss William Buick's mount at 20/1 Native American, for all that he is set to take a marked step up in class.
17:05 Ascot - Wokingham Stakes
Enough of the short priced runners now, it's time to get stuck into the puzzling last three races of the day and the whole meeting. Starting off with the Wokingham, extra places will come in handy here and in a field full of horses who definitely have a few pounds up their sleeve, I'll take my chances with COVER UP.
He kicked off this season with two good wins up at Newcastle and I'm willing to completely put a line through his first attempt at six furlongs last time out when he was pulling far too much.at the same course. That was at the end of March so Gosden will have been hard at work with him since and the manner of his initial wins over five screamed that a step up in trip would be what he eventually wants. He is 20/1 across the board and drawn well in 29 so providing he settles and Buick can get him to switch off through the first few furlongs, I'm confident of a big run.
17:40 Ascot - Golden Gates Stakes Handicap
Another right puzzle for punters to solve here but I'm convinced OLD FAITHFUL is better than he's shown in two facile wins so far this season and is still a good few pounds ahead of his mark. Ryan Moore has been riding like a man possessed all week and it'd be no surprise to me were he to hold the key to getting this horse to fully put it all in once he hits the front.
There looks to be a lot of pace on here which will aid Old Faithful, who in his last few starts has got his head in front before would be ideal and promptly decided to have a good look around and an idle. Moore could negate this by taking the bull by the horns and trying to lead, but I think he'll more than likely sit quietly and try to drop his horse over the line in the shadow of the post. He isn't drawn by any of the obvious pace setters so hopefully they all blow each other's chances and the Ballydoyle raider is on hand to pick up the pieces.
18:15 Ascot - Queen Alexandra Stakes
A real slog of a race wraps up a glorious slog of a week at Royal Ascot and it must be odds against we see Trueshan due to the ground. Assessing the race without him, I am worried about favourite Queenstown for team Ballydoyle as he is clearly very progressive indeed, with this year's form marking him out as a potential marathon specialist. He could make a mockery of this race but at the prices I'll have to swerve him in this step up in class.
Dawn Rising is not out of it for Joseph O'Brien but having to give the whole field 3lbs won't help, while Run For Oskar for Charles Byrnes is a fascinating entrant who has always looked made for a career on the level. He proved that with a luckless third - which could easily have been a win without traffic problems - in this race last year and he's respected.
My money to wrap up the week with a winner will be on TASHKHAN, who has a good record fresh and last season looked better than ever after a bit of a disappointing losing run. His run in the Long Distance Cup a few years back here when he split Trueshan and Stradivarius is definitely the best piece of form in here and with the horse now looking as good as ever, I'm happy to trust Brian Ellison to have him spot on off the break.
