UK Horse Racing Tips: Royal Ascot

Richard Fahey has won the last two renewals of this contest, so his sole contender Malc surely warrants a market check. His price increased from 34,000 guineas as a yearling to 140,000 guineas as a two-year-old, but DEVIOUS can get the better of him here. He kept on well to score on his racecourse debut at Naas last month and left a strong impression that he has a good deal more to give. His dam is a half-sister to the exceptional 1000 Guineas winner Attraction, and the fact he holds an entry for the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh in August must suggest he is showing plenty of encouragement at home. American Rascal adds strong international flavour to an engrossing line-up, while the unbeaten Elite Status is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Devious 2nd Malc 3rd American Rascal

Bertinelli needed every yard of the mile and a quarter to lift the London Gold Cup so should be even better at this distance, although he does have to concede weight to some unexposed sorts. One who fits that bill is TAGABAWA, who saw off a couple of subsequent winners with ease at Kempton. The form of Wonder Legend's Doncaster triumph has also worked out, while an initial mark of 94 isn't exactly lenient for Perfuse but he looked smart when accounting for Inquiring Minds on Town Moor. Burglar put a costly Kempton defeat behind him at Redcar and is just one more to enter the equation.
Prediction : 1st Tagabawa 2nd Wonder Legend 3rd Perfuse

Al Asifah is likely to be a red-hot favourite for this prestigious contest, as she was only supplemented for the race last week on the back of her facile victory at Goodwood over 1m2f earlier this month. The daughter of Frankel romped home by six lengths in the Listed Agnes Keyser to maintain her unbeaten record and she is likely to have a big shout. However, a chance can be taken on INFINITE COSMOS, after she was beaten four and a half lengths into third by subsequent Oaks victor Soul Sister in the Musidora at York last time. The Sir Michael Stoute-trained filly kept on well and shaped as if the step up to this distance could unlock any amount of improvement. Warm Heart beat Bluestocking (second) by a head last time in the Haras De Bouquetot at Newbury and she would be foolish to dismiss for her powerful connections.
Prediction : 1st Infinite Cosmos 2nd Al Asifah 3rd Warm Heart

Coltrane threw his hat into the staying division ring when defeating Trueshan in the Doncaster Cup last September, before going down by a head to that same rival in the Long Distance Cup here the following month. The talented son of Mastercraftsman, who reappeared with a bloodless success in the Sagaro last month, should be thereabouts, though a chance is taken on SUBJECTIVIST. Having bolted up in this contest two years ago, Charlie Johnston's entire picked up an injury that ruled him out for all of last season. Drawn wide when finishing third in the Dubai Gold Cup 89 days ago, he looked to retain plenty of ability and is likely to have been trained with this contest in mind. St Leger hero Eldar Eldarov merits respect having finished a good second in the Yorkshire Cup last month, while Courage Mon Ami, who seeks to extend his unbeaten record, could find further improvement for a yard that landed this three years on the trot with staying great Stradivarius. Others to note include Broome and Echoes In Rain.
Prediction : 1st Subjectivist 2nd Coltrane 3rd Eldar Eldarov

Docklands is improving at a rate of knots and made a sparkling handicap debut over C&D. Racingbreaks Ryder is also on a steep upward curve, while Starnberg has bounced off quick ground to score as he liked at York and Nottingham. Expensive purchase Just An Hour beat a subsequent winner at Killarney but perhaps a chance is worth taking on fellow Irish raider PANIC ALARM, who made the frame in the Madrid Handicap won by Paddington, since when he has held his own in good company. His compatriot Fort Vega showed excellent resolution to hang on at Naas, with Betterdaysrcoming back in third. The latter franked the form with a Curragh victory, in a race in which Carracci didn't get the smoothest of passages.
Prediction : 1st Panic Alarm 2nd Docklands 3rd Fort Vega

Drumroll makes a lot of appeal based on the pick of his form and Aidan O'Brien's inmate was promoted to first having initially been beaten a short head in a Group 3 at the Curragh last month. However, preference lies with EPICTETUS, who struggled in deeper waters in the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly last time out and the son of Kingman can take advantage of a drop in grade here. He ended last season losing little in defeat behind subsequent Derby hero Auguste Rodin in the Vertem Futurity Trophy and he remains open to further improvement. Bold Act rates a big player having only been narrowly denied at Newbury most recently, while 1000 Guineas fourth and Oaks third Caernarfon also warrants respect.
Prediction : 1st Epictetus 2nd Drumroll 3rd Bold Act

Many will fancy their chances in what looks a typically wide-open renewal, so only a tentative vote can go to BARADAR. George Boughey's gelding was arguably an unfortunate third in the Lincoln having been positioned on the wrong side of the track, and was luckless once again over this C&D in the Victoria Cup last month after being slowly away and short of room at a crucial stage. Biggles, who finished in front of the selection in second that day, has to be considered from an unchanged mark, along with the progressive Croupier. Second in this off 3lb lower last year, the loveable Ropey Guest could outrun his lengthy odds and makes each-way appeal. Montassib and Vafortino must also enter the reckoning, while Rhoscolyn finds himself on a workable mark judged on last season's exploits and should not be underestimated either.
Prediction : 1st Baradar 2nd Biggles 3rd Croupier