UK Horse Racing Tips: Royal Ascot

Meditate maintained her unbeaten record when scoring in a Group 3 at Naas and that performance sets the standard for her rivals to beat. However, there are plenty of these who are open to a fair amount of improvement and the vote goes to FULLY WET. She finished her race strongly when winning on debut at Goodwood and the stiffer test on this occasion appears to be ideal for the daughter of Kodiac. Mawj was a deeply impressive winner on her first start at Newmarket and has to be high on the shortlist, while others to note include Queen Olly, a winner at York last month, and Sydneyarms Chelsea.
Prediction : 1st Fully Wet 2nd Meditate 3rd Mawj

PERFECT POWER won at the Royal meeting last year when proving too strong for Go Bears Go in the Norfolf before going on to land a brace of Group 1s in the Prix Morny and the Middle Park. Richard Fahey's colt was impressive when stepped up to 7f in the Greenham at Newbury, but he didn't quite see out the extra furlong in the 2000 Guineas. This appears the obvious route for him and he wouldn't be the first to bounce back from finishing down the field at Newmarket, with Advertise having done the same in 2019 before winning this. El Caballo has kept on progressing at a rate of knots and arrives following a tough display in the Sandy Lane at Haydock which came at the expense of Flaming Rib (second), Wings Of War (third) and Go Bears Go (fourth). The latter is a big player as he stumbled leaving the stalls which left him on the back foot and the son of Kodi Bear had scored over C&D on his return to action. Tiber Flow (first) and Ehraz (second) were closely matched at Newbury last month and it would be no surprise if the latter reversed that form.
Prediction : 1st Perfect Power 2nd Go Bears Go 3rd Ehraz

CANDLEFORD appeared to be a work in progress throughout last season and he ended it on a high with a victory at Kempton in November. The form was given a significant boost with the runner-up, Coltrane, landing the Ascot Stakes earlier in the week and a 6lb rise may not be enough to stop the four-year-old from taking another step forward. Just Fine caught the eye when third in a decent York handicap last month and he commands plenty of respect with improvement likely from that display. Contact has been in excellent heart this season and the hat-trick seeker is another in the field whose form ties in with another winner at this meeting, Get Shirty, having chased home that rival at Thirsk in April. Trawlerman, Stay Well and Ever Present are others worthy of consideration.
Prediction : 1st Candleford 2nd Just Fine 3rd Contact

A number of these look closely matched on past form, with Cachet just edging out Prosperous Voyage in the 1000 Guineas (Sandrine fifth, Discoveries seventh and Tenebrism eighth) before she was touched off by Mangoustine in the French version. US raider Spendarella is unbeaten after three starts and she cannot be ruled out, but INSPIRAL could overcome a 252-day absence and make it five from five. The Frankel filly was impressive in each of her four appearances as a juvenile, readily beating Prosperous Voyage on her two latest outings, and her class may see her through even if a little rusty.
Prediction : 1st Inspiral 2nd Mangoustine 3rd Cachet

HEREDIA did nothing wrong in both starts as a juvenile but looked even better when making a winning seasonal/handicap debut over 7f at York last month, overcoming a slow start and trouble in running to get up late. That was a fine performance in the circumstances and, entitled to improve further for this extra yardage, she is fancied to defy a 7lb hike in the ratings. Zanbaq certainly wasn't disgraced in Listed company two starts ago and readily justified skinny odds at Haydock last time. She steps back up in trip for her handicap debut and merits consideration, while Crenelle, Fresh Hope and Persist add further spice to a fiercely competitive event.
Prediction : 1st Heredia 2nd Zanbaq 3rd Fresh Hope

Ottoman Fleet was a once-raced maiden when pitched into Listed company at Newmarket last month, but he emerged victorious from that, with Savvy Victory back in third, and Charlie Appleby's gelding is evidently on the up, but he may struggle to better CHANGINGOFTHEGUARD here. Aidan O'Brien's colt won as he pleased in the Chester Vase and only faded late on when forced to set faster fractions in the Derby last time. He could have competition for the lead in this, but still looks likely to come out on top on this slight drop in class. Lysander shaped as though in need of a stiffer test when third over a furlong shorter at Goodwood last time and could be a player here.
Prediction : 1st Changingoftheguard 2nd Ottoman Fleet 3rd Lysander

Ruthin is interesting pitched into handicap company by Wesley Ward as he was not disgraced in the Windsor Castle here last year and won a Listed race at Keeneland earlier this season, while Korker was hugely impressive in overcoming a slow start to win going away at York last time but has to prove he's as effective away from the Knavesmire. Nymphadora and Shamlaan are closely matched after finishing second and third respectively at Chester, but preference is for LADIES CHURCH. Johnny Murtagh's filly had a subsequent Group 2 winner behind when second on her reappearance in a Cork Listed race and a mark of 98 might seriously underestimate her ability.
Prediction : 1st Ladies Church 2nd Ruthin 3rd Korker