The fifth and final day of Royal Ascot features a further three Group races, including the final Group 1 – The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.
GG Editor Tom Aldridge guides you through his selections & analysis for all 7 races on the card, including a strong fancy in the Hardwicke Stakes, plus a couple of bigger odds selections in the handicaps.
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Odds correct at time of posting – 3pm 23rd June
2.30pm – Chesham Stakes (Class 1 Listed)
There’s been some big-name winners of this race over the years, including Churchill (2016), Pinatubo (2019) and Point Lonsdale (2021), and I think LA GUARIDA could be the next to add his name to the illustrious list. Richard Hannon’s finished third to Jabaara on debut, who finished 11th in the Group 3 Albany Stakes here on Friday, but made no mistake when winning and Goodwood next time out. That form has worked out incredibly well, with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th winning their next races, so La Guarida certainly has the potential to be something special. With an entry in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes, connections clearly feel he’s got a big future and I’m hoping he can get us off to the perfect start on Saturday.
SELECTION – La Guarida
3.05pm – Jersey Stakes (Group 3)
Covey is set to go off a warm favourite here, but horses who last ran in a handicap have failed to win any of the last ten renewals. With that in mind, I’m happy to take him on with THE ANTARCTIC. He had a solid 2YO campaign, including chasing home stablemate Blackbeard in the Middle Park Stakes, and has already won a Group 3 this year. The third home (Ocean Jewel) has since won a Group 3 in France so that form looks good. The step up in trip looks like it should suit and the O’Brien/Moore partnership has been in excellent form all week. The Antarctic looks a solid option to give them another winner on Saturday.
SELECTION – The Antarctic
3.40pm – Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Group 1)
ARTORIUS could only finish third in this last year but he was in rear throughout and flew home when in the clear. His trainer has reported he’s improved this year and that’s evident in him recording a career best RPR in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes, and with that in mind I think he’ll take the world of beating here. Top jockey James McDonald has been booked for the ride which is a further positive and he can get the better of Highfield Princess and Kinross, who are the two I expect to chase him home.
SELECTION – Artorius
4.20pm – Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2)
This looks to be HUKUM‘s for the taking. He’s 2-3 at Ascot and his overall record over this trip reads 11321171 (5-8), and he wasn’t beaten far in any of those three defeats. Having won the Coronation Cup at Epsom last year, comfortably seeing off Pyledriver in the process, he’s resumed this year with a good win over Derby winner Desert Crown. That was a solid effort and should have him fully primed for a big run here, and this doesn’t look an overly strong renewal. Other than Free Wind, the others have a point to prove, and although I respect Free Wind, this will be her first try in Pattern Company against the boys. I think Hukum will prove his class and win this fairly comfortably.
SELECTION – Hukum
5.00pm – Wokingham Stakes (Class 2)
APOLLO ONE couldn’t sustain his effort in this last year, eventually finishing 8th off a mark of 98. He goes off 97 this time and arrives in better form, so I’m expecting him to finish closer this year. His two runs this season have seen him finish third in the Howden Handicap at Newmarket, where he gets a 7lb pull from the winner Probe, which is considerable considering he was only beat 3 and a half lengths. He then went even closer at Epsom, finishing a neck behind Badri despite racing wide early, and with a good draw in the middle he can go whichever way he likes. The danger would be the top weight Flaming Rib, but the selection is receiving 10lb from that one and that could prove crucial.
SELECTION – Apollo One
5.35pm – Golden Gates Stakes (Class 2)
I really like KNOCKBREX for this. Frankie has been on fire at his final Royal Ascot and I expect he’ll be more determined than ever to ride a winner on his final ever Royal Ascot ride. Charlie Johnston’s colt was soundly beaten on debut in February but shed the maiden tag next time out, beating Perfuse comfotably over this trip. He was then less than 2 lengths behind Gregory at Haydock, but was giving the winner 6lb and Gregory has since proved that to be excellent form by winning the Queen’s Vase earlier this week. His most recent run saw him finish fourth over 1m 4f but he was going well throughout and only tired in the final stages. The drop back to 1m 2f is the right move and I expect the roof to go off at Ascot when Frankie steers Knockbrex to victory!
SELECTION – Knockbrex
6.10pm – Queen Alexandra Stakes (Class 2)
STRATUM may be a 10yo now, but he’s won the last two renewals fairly comfortably and trainer Willie Mullins will have his eyes firmly on landing a hat-trick of successive wins in this race. I’m not bothered by his 8th-placed finish on seasonal reappearance, as that was in a Group 3 and he usually needs his first run of the year. Last year he finished last in Listed company before coming here and winning cosily, so that’s nothing to be concerned about! The ground won’t be an issue, having on good to firm in this last year, and I fully expect him to win this. The danger will be Falcon Eight, but the selection had the measure of him in this last year and I don’t see any real reason why that form should reverse here.
SELECTION – Stratum
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ROYAL ASCOT DAY 5 THROUGH-THE-CARD TIPS
2.30 – La Guarida (7/1 generally)
3.05 – The Antarctic (5/1 generally)
3.40 – Artorius (4/1 generally)
4.20 – Hukum (2/1 generally)
5.00 – Apollo One (16/1 generally)
5.35 – Knockbrex (7/2 generally)
6.10 – Stratum (2/1 generally)
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