UK Horse Racing Tips: Ascot

ARAPAHO GOLD's keenness cost him when he lost his unbeaten status in the Mill Reef at Newbury. However, he still managed a creditable third and was only narrowly denied at the line. The forecast good ground should suit him better and, provided he settles sooner, Michael Dods' progressive gelding could be hard to resist if he finishes with his customary flourish. Inner City Blues is also on a retrieval mission after he failed to justify favouritism in the Middle Park at Newmarket. Notwithstanding, this is theoretically easier and Godolphin's first string must be taken seriously. The money-spinning Night In Vegas and the Redcar Two Year Old Trophy winner Satellite Of Love are consistent and the pair have to command the utmost respect.
Prediction : 1st Arapaho Gold 2nd Inner City Blues 3rd Night In Vegas

CABALLO DE MAR backed up his Doncaster Cup triumph with an hard-fought success when he retained the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp a fortnight ago. Assuming this doesn't come around too soon, this high-class stayer is confidently fancied to cement his authority over Queenstown, who was a game third in Paris but was running on empty near the finish. The St Leger winner Highwayman has benefitted from a longer rest and may be a bigger danger, despite trying 2m for the first time. Gregory, who won the 2023 Queens Vase here, has proven stamina and also rates a key player after Listed wins at York and Newmarket. Daiquiri Bay is 3-3 in handicaps this season and has each-way appeal on the early prices.
Prediction : 1st Caballo De Mar 2nd Highwayman 3rd Queenstown

ALMERAQ has already won a couple of top-tier races this season, including a game success in the Jubilee Stakes over C&D, and this strong-travelling son of Dark Angel has a big chance of adding to his burgeoning portfolio if he matches anything like the emphatic display he posted when winning the Sprint Cup at Haydock. James's Delight and Kind Of Blue, who won this in 2024, where fourth and fifth in that showpiece event on Merseyside and have something to find with the William Haggas-trained selection. With that in mind, the low-milage French raider Samangan could be a bigger danger with improvement possible back over 6f.
Prediction : 1st Almeraq 2nd Samangan 3rd Kind Of Blue

Although thwarted in her bid to complete a hat-trick of Group 1 successes in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, KALPANA was far from disgraced in finishing fifth. The five-year-old has landed the last two editions of this contest and holds obvious claims against her own gender once more. The lightly-raced Lilt arrives on the back of a respectable second in the Group 2 Blandford Stakes at the Curragh and is a potential improver stepping up in trip, while Minnie Hauk wasn't beaten far by the selection when third in the Yorkshire Oaks.
Prediction : 1st Kalpana 2nd Lilt 3rd Minnie Hauk

Having relished a return to a mile when landing the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville in August, Rayif is a fascinating French raider on just his seventh career start. The Sea The Moon colt is still open to improvement and merits the utmost respect, but TALK OF NEW YORK clinches the vote. Third on the round course here at Royal Ascot, Charlie Appleby's strong traveller should settle better with a stronger pace to aim at on the straight track and arrives here on the back of a career-best triumph at Newmarket. Dual Group 1 winner Gstaad has done little wrong this season and adds further spice to the mix.
Prediction : 1st Talk Of New York 2nd Rayif 3rd Gstaad

The globetrotting Calandagan won this last year but, as classy as he is, the five-year-old may be better over 1m4f these days and with a repeat bid for the Japan Cup on his agenda, this may not be his day. OMBUDSMAN was not at his best when fourth at York but is officially rated 5lb superior to all and if repeating his scintillating victory in the Prince Of Wales's, the Gosdens' star may prove a tough nut to crack as he looks for a fifth Group 1 on what may be his swansong. Arc second Bay City Roller might find this race comes too soon, while Constitution River and Almaqam have a little to find following their Irish Champion Stakes efforts.
Prediction : 1st Ombudsman 2nd Calandagan 3rd Bay City Roller

With just one successful favourite in the last decade this looks tricky, but William Haggas has trained two of the last five winners and has three here with Doncaster winner Scoville ridden by Tom Marquand making considerable appeal off a 4lb higher mark. Gavriel was a touch unlucky when fourth at Newmarket and is a serious adversary, as is last year's winner CROWN OF OAKS. Danny Tudhope rides the Haggas "second string" and showed a return to form when second in Listed class at Sandown after being dropped back to a mile.
Prediction : 1st Crown Of Oaks 2nd Gavriel 3rd Scoville