The first of five brilliant days of racing takes place on Tuesday. Royal Ascot begins in all of its splendour, with the summer weather looking to arrive on time for the meeting.
Matty Sutcliffe is providing tips for every day at Royal Ascot. He has six best bets across five races for day one.
Royal Ascot Tips (Tuesday 16 June)
Royal Ascot kicks off on Tuesday withs even superb contests. Matty has six tips across the card to look for some opening day profits.
14:30 Ascot – Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (4yo+) – More Thunder 4/1 1pt WIN
I have reservations over Notable Speech on a stiffer track like Ascot and whether the Queen Anne will set up as well as it did for him in the Lockinge, for all he was an excellent winner. He’s been beaten twice at this meeting seemingly with little excuse albeit racing keenly in this race last season, and while he did look a lot more professional last time out he has to prove he can back that up in this stiffer test.
As a result, More Thunder is taken to reverse the form having run exceptionally well from an unfavourable position behind Notable Speech in the Lockinge. He was relatively un-fancied in the market and the first off the bridle in rear under Tom Marquand.
He gave a gallant account of himself to come home strongly, with the winner given an excellent tie under William Buick. He still has 5lbs to find with the winner, but I’d be of the opinion that on this stiffer, wider track, his surplus of stamina will come in to play more favourably than others.
He improved as the season went on last year, winning a handicap off 87 before bolting up in the Hungerford to begin this year 30lbs higher, so I’d imagine he’s sure to take a big step forward but the fact he’s proven himself capable on contesting in this grade is further convincing, and he’s proven to run well here when beaten a nose in last season’s Wokingham.
15:05 Ascot – Coventry Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (2yo) – Siouxperb 14/1 1pt EW 4 places + Jaan Ki Turki 90/1 0.5pt EW 4 places
Archie Watson’s runners in the Coventry have always got to be considered, and he’s been unlucky not to have won it more than once as Bradsell took the race in 2022. Last year he had Tadej finish a good sixth at 100/1, in 2024 he had Electrolyte finish second at 40/1, in 2023 he had Army Ethos finish second at 20/1, and in 2019 he had Guildsman finish third at 6/1.
His sole runner on the card tomorrow is Siouxperb in the Coventry, who created a very smart impression at Yarmouth on debut. The Sioux Nation colt made all off a slow gallop running a touch green throughout. The pace lifted just before two out, and he displayed an excellent turn of foot to quickly put the race to bed under hands and heels, despite running green late on.
He justified the strong market support there and pulled for lengths clear of the second, who’s won twice since latterly carrying a penalty in a 15k Novice at Newmarket by three lengths. It was pleasing to see the visual impression backed up by the form, and it’s significant that he’s switched ownership to Valmont.
I’d also like to chance Jaan Ki Tukri, who’s one of the most experienced in this line-up and has been drawn on the stand-side’s rail for a yard who won with the 150/1 Nando Parrado in 2020 and had a 66/1 place with Coppull last year.
The son of Kodiac has form figures of 322 over sprint trips thus far, but in each of his races he’s shaped as if stepping up in distance would suit which is backed up by his pedigree. The form of his Newmarket Novice Stakes second has worked out very well, as the third, fifth and sixth have all won next time out with RPR’s in the mid 80s.
He still needs to dramatically improve, but the combination of being more streetwise than most, a rail draw and a step up in trip can see him outrun his odds for a trainer who knows how to ready one for this.
15:40 Ascot – King Charles III Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Azure Angel 100/1 0.5pt EW 4 places
I’ve long thought Azure Angel has the ability to pick up a big pot, particularly after she clocked a strong time at Redcar in a class three handicap off top-weight last June. She hasn’t gone on from that as I’d hoped initially, but she produced a career best performance to get black type at Bath in April when a 22/1 winner, coming right around the whole field from rear.
I thought she won in spite of not looking terribly in love with the track there and she covered plenty more ground than those close up in the placings. The form has worked out nicely, as the third was subsequently third by the same distance to Night Raider last time out, who’s the 7/1 second favourite here and the fourth, Miss Attitude, also ran well behind that pair.
She had a break before going to the Achilles Stakes at Carlisle just over two weeks ago, and little went well for her from the off as she boiled over in the stalls and was bumped coming out of them. It paid to be prominent there and she had to race in rear, and had her momentum briefly checked, finishing up what looked to be the slow part of the track.
She didn’t have a tough race there and was relatively looked after in what was potentially a prep race for this, as she hasn’t gone well since February 2024.
Connections have had Regional finish third and second in the last two renewals of this race, and from a stand-side draw I’d expect her to be staying on strongly late on ground she relishes.
17:35 Ascot – Wolferton Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Ghostwriter 8/1 1pt EW 4 places
Ghostwriter escapes a penalty for this contest and while he does have a long layoff to overcome, he’s likely to have been primed for this race and having gone well fresh in the past, it mightn’t be an issue.
He finished his two-year-old career unbeaten in three starts, including here, culminating in the Group 2 Royal Lodge. While he’s 0-8 since, seven of those were contested in Group 1 events, finishing fourth in the 200 Guineas and Prix Du Jockey Club, and third to City Of Troy in both the Eclipse and the Juddmonte.
He was only beaten two lengths in the Irish Champion Stakes and the Dubai Turf after. He had an excuse for a below par effort in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, and he produced a fine third to Rebel’s Romance at the Hardwicke last season.
He’s essentially a Group 1 horse running in a listed contest, and while we have to chance he still retains his ability, should he do so then it would be a surprise if he wasn’t to be bang there.
18:10 Ascot – Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap) (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-100) – Valiancy 2/1 2pt WIN
Wathnan and James Doyle won this with the well backed French Master last season and they can repeat that here with Valiancy.
The Cracksman gelding was progressive last season with form figures of 721321, culminating with a comfortable win in a 52k handicap at Haydock. That form was franked by the third winning a listed contest now rated 15lbs higher, and he made a winning reappearance at Hamilton last month.
He was off the bridle early behind the leaders, and he had to switch completely to the outside losing momentum but he produced smart turn of foot to come home strong under hands and heels.
An 8lbs underestimates that impressive performance, which has thrown up subsequent winners, and he’s taken to extend Wathnan’s Royal Ascot record.
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Tips for Tuesday 16 June
14:30 Ascot – Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (4yo+) – More Thunder 4/1 1pt WIN
15:05 Ascot – Coventry Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (2yo) – Siouxperb 14/1 1pt EW 4 places + Jaan Ki Turki 90/1 0.5pt EW 4 places
15:40 Ascot – King Charles III Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Azure Angel 100/1 0.5pt EW 4 places
17:35 Ascot – Wolferton Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Ghostwriter 8/1 1pt EW 4 places
18:10 Ascot – Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap) (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-100) – Valiancy 2/1 2pt WIN
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Best Bets – Royal Ascot day 1
FAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets at Royal Ascot on Tuesday 16 June.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s racing tips were published at 4.18pm on Monday 15 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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