UK Horse Racing Tips: Royal Ascot

French raider BIG ROCK enjoyed his finest day when he ran away with the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over course and distance last October. While he managed no better than sixth when Audience stole a march to spring a surprise in the Lockinge at Newbury last month, the son of Rock Of Gibraltar had valid excuses, having stumbled leaving the stalls, and could be a different proposition with that run under his belt. Lockinge runner-up Charyn has already enjoyed a fine season and is feared most in his bid to gain a first Group 1 success. Last year's QEII runner-up, Facteur Cheval, a winner at the top table at the Dubai Carnival when last seen, also rates a serious contender.
Prediction : 1st Big Rock 2nd Charyn 3rd Facteur Cheval

COWARDOFTHECOUNTY looked to have any amount of untapped potential when he comfortably landed a Curragh maiden in April and, given the runner-up emphatically boosted the form in a Listed race on his next start, the form has a glossy appearance. The selection has a big frame to fill but his imposing physique suggests he has a very bright future ahead if handling the forecast faster ground. Aidan O'Brien boasts an excellent record in this contest, having won it on 10 occasions, and the fact he relies on just Camille Pissarro to represent Ballydoyle makes the son of Wootton Bassett a must for the shortlist. Al Qudra, Andesite and Francisco's Piece rate the pick of the home-trained contingent, with the last-named appealing most after a Listed race success in France 16 days ago.
Prediction : 1st Cowardofthecounty 2nd Camille Pissarro 3rd Franciscos Piece

The high-class Big Evs tasted defeat when he stepped outside of his own age group in the Nunthorpe at York last summer but his record is otherwise mostly exemplary and he is a must for any shortlist. However, the older brigade could again hold court in this fiercely competitive renewal, with last year's Haydock Sprint Cup winner, REGIONAL, suggested as the strongest contender. A close second in the Greenland at the Curragh on his return to action, the selection has been primed for this race and a bold showing is expected. Temple Stakes winner Kerdos is another for consideration, while Twilight Calls, runner-up in this two years ago, and Valiant Force, second to Big Evs in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, are others with solid chances.
Prediction : 1st Regional 2nd Big Evs 3rd Kerdos

In a mouth-watering contest where the winners of the English, Irish and French Guineas look poised to serve up one of the races of the week, NOTABLE SPEECH can put down a marker as the best three-year-old miler around. Charlie Appleby's charge impressed with the manner of his victory in the 2000 Guineas, making smooth headway from the rear before quickening away from the field with almost push-button acceleration, and the unbeaten son of Dubawi is hard to oppose on that evidence. Rosallion, who finished second to the selection at Newmarket, was last seen scoring gamely in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and warrants the utmost respect in a bid to avenge his Newmarket defeat. A Group 1 winner in the National Stakes, Henry Longfellow is surely capable of better than when finishing a luckless eighth at Longchamp behind Metropolitan.
Prediction : 1st Notable Speech 2nd Rosallion 3rd Henry Longfellow

Formerly useful on the Flat in France, My Lyka was narrowly denied on his stable/hurdle debut over 2m4f at Killarney last month, and switched back to the level for his handicap bow, he warrants the utmost respect for top connections. Preference, though, goes to PIED PIPER. Gordon Elliott's charge finished a staying-on second in the Cesarewitch on his last start in this sphere and, after another excellent placed effort in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival most recently, this step up in trip can see him return to winning ways off a 2lb higher mark than when finishing a luckless sixth in this race in 2022. Impressive last-time-out winners Tenerife Sunshine and Boher Road complete the shortlist in a typically wide-open affair.
Prediction : 1st Pied Piper 2nd My Lyka 3rd Boher Road

Jessica Harrington sends Bold Discovery over from Ireland after he took the Group 3 Amethyst Stakes at Leopardstown over a mile and although his stamina remains in question, he could go well at a big price. Astro King won't mind the faster going predicted here and should do better dropping back in trip after a one-paced effort in the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket. ISRAR won the Group 2 Princess Of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket last July when he was over four lengths in front of Derby winner Adayar, his second last time out to Passenger at Chester reads well and possibly makes him the one to beat.
Prediction : 1st Israr 2nd Astro King 3rd Bold Discovery

Willie Mullins won this last year with Vauban and if the early betting is correct, he may do so again with BELLOCCIO. A winner over hurdles last month, he won in Listed company for his previous trainer and is potentially well-handicapped off a mark of 100, having previously reached a career-high rating of 108. A Piece Of Heaven looks interesting on his first start for Joseph O'Brien after an easy win at Leopardstown last month but an added 7lb makes life tougher, while Intinso is also respected on his ninth start with the addition of a tongue-tie possibly sparking some improvement.
Prediction : 1st Belloccio 2nd A Piece Of Heaven 3rd Intinso