UK Horse Racing Tips: Royal Ascot

It was always going to be tough for William Buick to get off impressive Lockinge winner NOTABLE SPEECH for progressive stable companion Opera Ballo and so it has proved. Charlie Appleby's charge produced a devastating turn of foot to win the Newbury Group 1 at the expense of More Thunder and Zeus Olympios and is taken to confirm the form. He was only fourth in this last year behind Docklands, but is arriving in better form this time around and can finally get his Royal Ascot success.
Prediction : 1st Notable Speech 2nd More Thunder 3rd Docklands

CONFUCIUS left a lasting impression on his Curragh debut when denied by the narrowest of margins and built on that promise when easily breaking through at Naas. Given his connections, the son of No Nay Never looks the perfect type for this race and can follow in the hoofprints of Caravaggio, Arizona, River Tiber and Gstaad, with Ballydoyle responsible for four of the last 10 Coventry winners. Also a son of No Nay Never, stable companion Great Barrier Reef is unbeaten in two starts and commands respect, while James Doyle opts to ride Hamilton winner Royal Heritage of the Wathnan trio and he could be one for the each-way players. Cut A Dash and Siouxperb are just a couple more to consider.
Prediction : 1st Confucius 2nd Great Barrier Reef 3rd Siouxperb

It wasn't a huge surprise when American Affair won this 12 months ago and, given the recent form of Jim Goldie's yard, he cannot be dismissed, even though Australian challenger OVERPASS looks really strong this year. Bjorn Baker's speedster was last seen finishing a very creditable fourth in the Group 1 T J Smith Stakes at Randwick in April and also boasts a pretty smart piece of form at that track in October when a close-up fourth to a certain Ka Ying Rising. Night Raider has won both starts this season, including when beating American Affair in Haydock's Temple Stakes, and he looks the pick of the UK runners. Rayevka didn't run too badly in the Champions Sprint here last autumn and is another to consider closely.
Prediction : 1st Overpass 2nd Night Raider 3rd American Affair

Having landed the Irish 2,000 Guineas in fine style, Gstaad is sure to be in the thick of the action once more. The son of Starspangledbanner merits respect in his quest for a third Group/Grade 1, but his Newmarket conqueror BOW ECHO is difficult to oppose. George Boughey's unbeaten colt impressed with his finishing effort in the 2000 Guineas at HQ and there could be a lot more to come this season. The progressive Talk Of New York has only tasted defeat once in four outings and shouldn't be underestimated after putting his rivals to the sword in the Heron Stakes at Sandown last month.
Prediction : 1st Bow Echo 2nd Gstaad 3rd Talk Of New York

Although without a winner in this contest since 2018, Willie Mullins could be set to taste glory again with REACHING HIGH. The five-year-old was just touched off on his stable bow at Leopardstown and was denied a clear run when favourite for the 2025 renewal. A year-long absence shouldn't be an issue and, granted better luck, compensation could be on the cards. Joseph O'Brien is enjoying a fantastic season, with Chester Cup seventh Puturhandstogether well worth a second look, while last year's Cesarewitch hero Beylerbeyi is expected to prove more competitive back up in distance. Irish raiders Westminster Moon, Bunting and Galileo Dame add further spice to the mix.
Prediction : 1st Reaching High 2nd Puturhandstogether 3rd Beylerbeyi

WIMBLEDON HAWKEYE is a really interesting contender in here on the class drop. Last year's Nashville Derby winner ran a cracker at this meeting 12 months ago when fourth in the King Edward VII Stakes and performed well enough on his return in the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown behind Ombudsman. There isn't anything of that calibre in here and James Owen's colt is taken to go very close. Haatem won this last year and commands respect for the in-form Richard Hannon yard, while Galen got within a length of him that day and is noted, as is Ghostwriter.
Prediction : 1st Wimbledon Hawkeye 2nd Haatem 3rd Galen

VALIANCY is difficult to get away from and can send his supporters home smiling. He is the clear pick of the Wathnan trio in the finale and an 8lb rise for his comeback success at Hamilton is probably fair given he confirmed Haydock form with Ride The Thunder in no uncertain terms. The Cracksman gelding is really progressive and it's going to take a big performance to deny William Haggas' inmate another victory. Aeronautic drops down from Group 3 company and boasts every chance, while Daiquiri Bay and Gamrai are closely matched on Newmarket form and it wouldn't be a surprise if they were heavily involved.
Prediction : 1st Valiancy 2nd Aeronautic 3rd Gamrai