UK Horse Racing Tips: Royal Ascot

In a contest dominated by lightly-raced juveniles, ALFRED MUNNINGS gets the vote having pulled clear by four and a half lengths on his debut at Leopardstown last month. Aidan O'Brien has trained four of the last six winners of this contest, so the stable's sole charge in this has to be respected. John Gosden has not won this race since 2014 and bids to change that with three representatives today. With Frankie Dettori confirmed to ride Alzahir, he makes more appeal than stablemates One World and Faisal Road.
Prediction : 1st Alfred Munnings 2nd Alzahir 3rd One World

Dubawi Legend is an interesting prospect despite arriving following a disappointing run in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in April. A drop back to 7f could aid his cause given he tired in the closing stages during the aforementioned contest, so he is not one to bypass. Nonetheless, NOBLE TRUTH was an emphatic winner of a Listed race on his latest outing and the drying conditions look set to aid his cause, especially given he won a Listed race at Doncaster last September on good to firm ground. Another to note is the Owen Burrows-trained Alflaila, a decisive winner over this course and distance last month.
Prediction : 1st Noble Truth 2nd Alflaila 3rd Dubawi Legend

HURRICANE LANE was one of the star middle-distance performers of 2021 when landing a trio of Group 1's, including the Irish Derby and the St Leger, before ending his season with a fine third in the Arc at Longchamp. The son of Frankel makes his return to action, with all roads leading back to France in October, and this appears to be the ideal starting point for Charlie Appleby's colt. Broome filled the runner-up spot in this contest 12 months ago and he is likely to step forward from his run in the Tattersalls Gold Cup. Third Realm displayed what he had threatened last season with an impressive victory at Goodwood, while a step up in trip, along with first-time cheekpieces, may yield further improvement from Mostahdaf.
Prediction : 1st Hurricane Lane 2nd Broome 3rd Third Realm

Australia struck earlier in the week when Nature Strip produced a scintillating effort to take the King's Stand and his stable companion, HOME AFFAIRS, could prove to be a cut above the opposition. He beat Nature Strip in the Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington over 5f in February and the fact his trainer, Chris Waller, has decided not to back up Tuesday's winner suggests confidence is high within the camp. Creative Force's best form comes at Ascot, having won the Jersey on this card 12 months ago and over C&D on Champions Day, so he is expected to bounce back from an underwhelming effort at Meydan. Campanelle was gifted last year's Commonwealth Cup in the stewards' room having been interfered with by Dragon Symbol, who reopposes and has something to prove, and the filly arrives having won her sole outing this season at Keeneland. The key to Sacred's chances is fast ground, with her final start as a three-year-old in the Hungerford being a career-best. A stiff 6f, providing the rain stays away, will undoubtedly play to her strengths and she may prove to be the chief threat to the selection. Others worth considering are A Case Of You, Happy Romance and Minzaal.
Prediction : 1st Home Affairs 2nd Sacred 3rd Creative Force

Usually one of the most competitive races of the year, and this renewal is no exception, though BLACKROD looks sure to go well providing a high draw is no hindrance. Twice a winner as a three-year-old, he looked potentially Group-class when justifying market support on his reappearance at Newmarket in April and a 5lb rise might not be enough to anchor him. Of those drawn lower, Ascot-lover Fresh has to enter the equation considering he is just 2lb higher than when runner-up 12 months ago, and he remains in good form. Progressive hat-trick seeker Silver Samurai looks capable of making his presence felt under a 5lb penalty, while Irish raider Quarantine Dreams looks feasibly treated for his handicap bow with this return to 6f likely to suit.
Prediction : 1st Blackrod 2nd Fresh 3rd Quarantine Dreams

Devilishly-competitive stuff with so many unexposed profiles on show, including the hat-trick seeking Missed The Cut, who looked a potential Pattern class performer when scoring at Salisbury last month. Preference, however, is for FALLING SHADOW, whose hugely impressive Newbury maiden victory gained extra substance when one of his victims, Double Cherry, scored in fetching fashion at Goodwood last week. Of those at bigger prices, French raider Pervade has to be taken seriously under Colin Keane.
Prediction : 1st Falling Shadow 2nd Missed The Cut 3rd Pervade

Mud-loving Group 1 winner Trueshan, who has been peerless in the staying ranks over the last year, would be hard to oppose if there was sufficient juice in the ground for him, but that is by no means guaranteed and it may pay to take him on with FALCON EIGHT, who, conversely, was undone by testing conditions when sent off favourite for this 12 months ago. Dermot Weld's gelding finished a respectable fifth when attempting to defend his Chester Cup crown last month and, having won a 2m7f hurdle event, boasts the abundant stamina needed for Britain's longest Flat race. Last year's scorer Stratum and Sagaro Stakes runner-up Wordsworth are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Falcon Eight 2nd Wordsworth 3rd Trueshan