Royal Ascot 2026 has been one for the record books, with thrilling contests from start to finish. There is still one more day to come with a packed card full of big fields.
Matty Sutcliffe aims to end the week on a high. He has six tips for the final day of the royal meeting.
Royal Ascot Tips (Saturday 20 June)
The final day of Royal Ascot has the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes as its feature, as well as the Wokingham Stakes handicap with a massive field. Matty has six tips to bring the curtain down on the meeting.
14:30 Ascot – Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (2yo) – Carry The Flag 9/4 1pt WIN + Mr Macartney 100/1 0.5pt EW 4 places
Carry The Flag is the obvious contender for last year’s winning connections, who debuted in the same race as Charles Darwin did en-route to winning this race.
He backed that up when a head winner at Naas, beating stablemate Sun Goddess who bolted up five lengths next time out and is well regarded for the Albany. He then set the pace for stablemate Great Barrier Reef in the Marble Hill next time out, travelling strongly before fading late on, and that one has franked that form by winning the Coventry Stakes on Wednesday.
I’d also like to chance Mr Macartney, whose form loosely ties in with Carry The Flag. He improved from a moderate debut when winning a 15k Class 2 Maiden at Leicester, beating two subsequent winners to boot.
He failed to handle the dip at Newmarket, but bounced back to be beaten two lengths in the National Stakes at Sandown. He was slowly away there losing five lengths at the off, but rallied well and was only beaten a length and a length and a half by Adaay Of Scarlett. That one was beaten half a length by Great Barrier Reef on Wednesday, so in theory, Mr Macartney wouldn’t have all that much to find with Carry The Flag.
A first time visor is equipped to sharpen him up from the stalls, and while he has a lot to improve he’s one to sneak a place at a price.
15:05 Ascot – Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Ethical Diamond 10/1 1pt EW 3 places
Having won over course and distance here last season, Ethical Diamond can appreciate the rerun here after shaping as if needing the run in the Sheema Classic in March.
He backed up his Ascot success when landing the Ebor Handicap at York, before a sensational performance in the Breeder’s Cup Turf. He had last year’s Hardwicke winner Rebel’s Romance in behind that day, along with Amiloc, Minnie Hauk and Goliath.
With a strong pace forecast, this looks to be set up perfectly for him and if he can return to that Breeders’ Cup form he’s sure to be tough to beat over a winning C&D.
15:40 Ascot – Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Khaadem 66/1 0.5pt EW 4 places
The International runners to the head of the market will prove tough to beat, but Khaadem looks wildly overpriced for at least a place with form figures of 411 in this contest.
He missed the race last season having taken a while to get over his Keeneland second, but he still managed to bag G2 honours back there proving the fire very much still burns. He wasn’t all that far away in the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan in March, three lengths behind the winner of this race last season, Lazzat.
Khaadem was beaten seven lengths on his return here down trip, which could only have been a pipe opener for this. This is likely to be his main target this season, and in an era of unreliable sprinters, he has to be taken to run his race in this particular contest.
16:20 Ascot – Jersey Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo) – Catullus 12/1 1pt EW 4 places
Connections won this in 2021 and 2022 with horses who’d ran below par in Group races as a two year old prior to being gelded at three, and Catullus can follow suit. He displayed evident promise when behind Irish 2000 Guineas runner Distant Storm on debut, and Publish who was second to Bow Echo next time out.
His form tailed off thereafter, but he improved 21lbs on RPR’s when a near four length winner at Goodwood on handicap debut. He could be called the winner from some way out there, displaying a smart turn of foot in the latter stages.
He has to improve again, but he doesn’t have all that much to find on ratings and if coming forward again he can emulate his stablemates.
17:35 Ascot – Golden Gates Stakes (Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo 0-105) – Balzac 25/1 1pt EW 4 places
Take away Balzac’s disappointing effort on deplorable going in the Derby, then I suspect he’d be a lot shorter for this contest.
He was third to Maltese Cross and Del Maro on debut, who both finished second next time out in the Derby and Queen’s Vase respectively rated 114 and 102, the latter likely to be 110+ when reassessed next week.
Balzac won an egg and spoon contest at Kempton on seasonal debut, before a solid third in the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom to Saxon Street, who bumped into Del Maro next time out. Rebel Rocker was third there, who posted an excellent sixth in the Derby.
Balzac was again behind Maltese Cross at Lingfield in the Derby Trial, with Derby fourth Bay Of Brilliance in second. Essentially, he’s off 97 with strong intertwining Derby and Queen’s Vase formlines and with a suitable high draw with Loughnane on board dropping in trip, he’s strongly considered.
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Tips for Saturday 20 June
14:30 Ascot – Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (2yo) – Carry The Flag 9/4 1pt WIN + Mr Macartney 100/1 0.5pt EW 4 places
15:05 Ascot – Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Ethical Diamond 10/1 1pt EW 3 places
15:40 Ascot – Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Khaadem 66/1 0.5pt EW 4 places
16:20 Ascot – Jersey Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo) – Catullus 12/1 1pt EW 4 places
17:35 Ascot – Golden Gates Stakes (Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo 0-105) – Balzac 25/1 1pt EW 4 places
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Best Bets – Royal Ascot Day 5
FAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets at Royal Ascot Day 5 on Saturday 20 June.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s racing tips were published at 9.51am on Friday 19 June.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival. Follow him on X: @MattySutcliffe
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