UK Horse Racing Tips: Royal Ascot

The globetrotting Modern Games returned to home soil with a decisive win in the Lockinge at Newbury last month, where he had the reopposing Chindit (second) in behind. A classy sort, the son of Dubawi should be thereabouts at the business end, but preference is for INSPIRAL. The champion two-year-old rounded off her three-year-old campaign with a below-par effort in the Queen Elizabeth II, but that performance can be excused given she blew the start. John & Thady Gosden's charge looks to have been laid out for this and the fillies' allowance could prove vital. Native Trail has yet to repeat the achievements of his juvenile campaign, but he's closely matched with the principals on official ratings and isn't out of this, while Cash could outrun his lengthy odds.
Prediction : 1st Inspiral 2nd Modern Games 3rd Native Trail

With 17 of the 22 runners successful last time out and no favourite scoring since 2019, the winner will need to be well above average and that points to the chances of ASADNA. He strolled home by 12 lengths at Ripon and clocked some decent fractions that day on his only start, so he may prove too good for the short-priced River Tiber, who has won both races so far and represents Aidan O'Brien, who has won three of the last 10 renewals of this contest. Wesley Ward's speedy Fandom is another to consider, while the booking of Frankie Dettori on Givemethebeatboys for Mrs John Harrington also catches the eye.
Prediction : 1st Asadna 2nd River Tiber 3rd Fandom

The King's Stand serves up a fascinating contest, with 19 runners from four different countries lining up to wage war over the minimum trip. Highfield Princess completed a Group 1 hat-trick last term and gave a good account when conceding weight all round to finish runner-up in the Duke Of York Stakes last time out. The six-year-old mare is a worthy favourite, but marginal preference goes to the progressive MANACCAN, who could have more to come. Despite being drawn away from the winner, the John Ryan-trained colt took another step forward to finish third in the Palace House Stakes and he may go close on this preferred sounder surface. Coolangatta arrives after claiming Group 1 honours at Flemington and is worthy of consideration, while Twilight Gleaming finished second over course and distance in the Queen Mary in 2021 and completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Manaccan 2nd Highfield Princess 3rd Coolangatta

Although Chaldean was the comfortable winner of the 2000 Guineas last month, he may need to improve again if he wants to get the better of PADDINGTON, who took the Irish equivalent with similar aplomb. On a line through Royal Scotsman, beaten two lengths at Newmarket but seven lengths adrift at the Curragh, Ryan Moore's mount might have the edge, though both could still have much more to offer. Isaac Shelby was beaten into second in a photo finish in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) and is another who warrants plenty of respect, leaving the unbeaten Cicero's Gift and impressive York Novice winner Mostabshir needing to improve if they want to figure.
Prediction : 1st Paddington 2nd Chaldean 3rd Isaac Shelby

Bring On The Night hasn't been seen since chasing home the talented Coltrane in this race last year and he looks a worthy favourite from 4lb higher, in what is teed up to be a typically wide-open renewal. A Listed winner over timber on his latest outing, Ahorsewithnoname merits respect back in this sphere, while Law Of The Sea, who is now 1lb better off with his Haydock conqueror Solent Gateway, can be in the thick of things too. Preference, however, is for NOVEL LEGEND. Second to the reopposing Zinc White in last month's Chester Plate, James Fanshawe's unexposed stayer is taken to reverse that form and confirm earlier promise shown over this marathon trip.
Prediction : 1st Novel Legend 2nd Bring On The Night 3rd Ahorsewithnoname

Francesco Clemente failed to maintain his unbeaten record when being denied by a small margin at Goodwood on seasonal reappearance last month, but the son of Dubawi remains lightly raced and may take another step forward in this contest with the addition of cheekpieces. However, it may pay dividends to side with the Aidan O'Brien-trained BOLSHOI BALLET, who bounced back to form when beaten a neck into third in the Al Rayyan Stakes. The five-year-old is a Grade 1 winner over this trip and he gets the nod to record a fifth career victory now eased in grade. Cadillac was runner-up in this contest last year and demands the utmost respect after relishing a sounder surface to land the spoils at Epsom on his latest outing.
Prediction : 1st Bolshoi Ballet 2nd Francesco Clemente 3rd Cadillac

With winners at 16/1 and 33/1 in the last two runnings of this race, things may not be quite as clear cut as they appear but it remains difficult to oppose favourite VAUBAN for the Willie Mullins/Ryan Moore combination. Last seen on the Flat winning at Vichy for his previous trainer, he has won three times over hurdles since and finished second in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Punchestown last time out. Rated 160 over hurdles but just 101 on the Flat, he looks very well handicapped. Ruling Dynasty is improving with experience and strolled home at Haydock, so he could be the biggest danger now upped in trip, while the Group-placed Point King and the unexposed Absurde are others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Vauban 2nd Ruling Dynasty 3rd Point King