Jibber Jabber has six betting tips for Tuesday's racing action on Day 1 of Royal Ascot 2025.
14:30 Ascot
We kick off Day 1 at Royal Ascot with a cracking renewal of the Group 1 Queen Anne — and, unsurprisingly, last month’s Group 1 Lockinge form dominates the market. The first four home in that race all reoppose here: Rosallion (9/4), Lead Artist (9/2), Notable Speech (5/1) and Dancing Gemini (6/1). Any one of them could win this — and the betting reflects just how tight it is.
But I’ve been hunting for an each-way alternative at a price, and there were a few worth considering. Diego Velasquez (10/1) was tempting, but even Aidan O’Brien has said:
“We’d have loved to have got a run into him. I think he’ll run well, but I’d expect him to come forward nicely for it.” That suggests he may need this after 276 days off.
Lake Forest (11/1) is interesting for the in-form William Haggas yard (Last 14 days: 9-42, 21%), but he still has something to prove at this level, and there’s a stamina question over the mile.
So, I’m taking a chance on the Australian-trained raider CARL SPACKLER (best price 14/1). On form and ratings, he has nothing to find with the very best of these — he posted a career-best RPR of 124 (matching favourite Rosallion) when bolting up by over four lengths in a Grade 1 at Keeneland back in April.
There are risks, of course. He’s tackling a straight mile for the first time, and the conditions here will be different. But he’s won multiple times on both Good and Firm ground, and he’s got a top-class jockey in James McDonald on board for the first-time— the 2021 World Jockey of the Year, who knows Ascot well and has three straight-course Royal Ascot wins to his name.
At the price, he looks a very fair each-way bet, particularly with both Paddy Power and Sky Bet paying four places in this 10-runner race. He brings international form, proven ability, and a touch of the unknown — which could be just what we need to spring a surprise.
15:05 Ascot
This is a typically wide-open 21-runner 2yo sprint, and there were plenty to consider. But at a price, I’ve landed on GAVOO for Irish trainer David Marnane, who’s already tasted Royal Ascot success twice before.
GAVOO was well-beaten on debut, finishing 4¾ lengths second behind the re-opposing, well-touted, Andaab (9/1) at the Curragh over this trip in early May. But there was more to that run than the bare result.
He missed the break slightly, losing a couple of lengths, and his jockey noted afterwards:
“He was just a bit raw and babyish — and to be honest, we didn’t give him a hard time of it.”
He then returned 27 days later and won nicely at Listowel, overcoming a wide draw in a fast time and running down a well-fancied favourite late on, despite stepping up slightly in trip and facing softer ground (good to yielding).
That effort saw him improve from an RPR of 74 to 93, a significant leap — and there could easily be more to come.
Marnane said this week:
“He’s done nothing wrong. He has plenty of size and scope, and a great temperament. He’s laid-back, so we don’t quite know how good he is. He’s secured a nice draw [21], and we think he’s improved again since Listowel.”
That draw on the near side could prove ideal in a big-field cavalry charge like this, especially if the pace is right.
He should be well suited by a strongly-run 6f, and while this is obviously a big step up in class, he looks progressive, tough, and will hopefully be unfazed by the occasion.
At 22/1, with 5 places on offer at Sky Bet, he looks worth chancing each way — especially when a few at the top of the market have looked good so far but haven’t been properly tested under pressure in a big-field like this.
15:40 Ascot
AMERICAN AFFAIR is a seriously improving sprinter who had a hugely progressive 2024, starting the year off a mark of 70 and finishing it officially rated 97. He won three times over this 5f trip, including a valuable £98k race at Doncaster in September – improving with every run.
After that win, trainer Jim Goldie described him as “still very babyish and raw,” before adding:
“What will he be like next year with another winter on his back?”
Well, Jim was right. The horse has clearly strengthened up at 5 and resumed his progress in style this season, winning two big-field Class 2 races over 5f in emphatic fashion running to Racing Post Ratings of 107 & 111 in the process.
After his win at Musselburgh in April, Goldie first hinted at this very race, saying:
“We probably have to go into Group races. There’s the King Charles over five furlongs at Ascot, which would be okay.”
He was then entered in the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock 20 days ago and sent off a strong 100/30 second favourite. He ultimately finished 5th of 11, but the bare result doesn’t tell the full story.
He lost ground after a slightly awkward start, and his momentum was badly interrupted just inside the 2f pole when he had to check and switch left – still managing to finish within 2.75 lengths of the winner.
It’s not hard to argue that he’d have gone much closer with a clean run. His run was rated 109 and I'm confident it would have been closer to 115 without the issues he encountered. He wasn't seen to best effect in that race and there could be further improvement to come.
It’s also worth noting he was turned out just 9 days after winning at York, which might’ve come a bit quick. The team have rightly freshened him up since with a 24-day break leading into this race – a positive sign.
He’s shown he handles both Good and Good to Firm ground, so the Going should be fine. And the stiff 5f at Ascot should really suit his style of racing.
All things considered, he looks a solid each-way bet at 16/1 with Bet365, who are paying 4 places. Alternatively, if you want the "insurance" of 5 places, both Coral and Sky Bet are offering that — and if you take Starting Price (SP) with them, you could land a better return if his price drifts. For example, if he wins or places at odds bigger than their current 12/1, you'll be paid out at the higher SP — with 5 places still locked in.
17:00 Ascot
This is the longest race of the day, and a typically wide-open 20-runner handicap where several look to hold live chances. I’ve been looking for an each-way play at double-figure odds, and I’ve landed on the progressive MR HAMPSTEAD, with 11/1 available at bet365.
This 4-year-old gelding has form that ties in with the re-opposing Manxman (8/1) — who narrowly beat him by a neck over 2 miles at Goodwood just 25 days ago.
He’s now 2lb better off and remains unexposed at this extended trip, so I’m hopeful he can turn the tables today. With stamina on his side, a staying pedigree, and a clear case for improvement, he looks a solid each-way shout in a race that often throws up a result at a price.
17:35 Ascot
This Listed contest looks competitive on paper, but the two I’ve landed on are unfortunately both towards the head of the market.
You might have seen me repost Andy Holding’s take on Sons And Lovers (6/1) on X yesterday — and I agree he has strong claims. He’s had a couple of tidy prep runs, the very capable Joseph O'Brien trains, and he now gets Ryan Moore on board for the first time, which looks a positive move. I wouldn't put anyone off backing him.
That said, the one I’ve tipped is the Harry Charlton-trained 4yo gelding, KING’S GAMBIT.
He went close to justifying 2/1 favouritism in a Group 3 over this course and distance around this time last year. He’s had a recent run under his belt to sharpen him up, and now drops back into Listed company for the first time in seven starts with the removal of headgear looking a smart way to go.
Top international jockey James McDonald is booked for the first time, and if he can coax KING'S GAMBIT back to his best form, he should be right in the mix here.
With 4 places widely available in this 16-runner field, I’m happy to play him each way at the generally available 13/2.
18:10 Ascot
We finish Day 1 with a typically competitive 16-runner handicap, where several hold realistic claims — so each-way terms are key here. Sky Bet are the only firm I’m aware of offering 6 places, with many others going 5, and a few still only paying 4. As always, make sure to check place terms with your bookmaker and shop around for value.
What initially drew me to BARNSO (best price 12/1) was the first-time booking of in-form jockey Oisin Murphy — a clear positive in a race like this. But there’s more to like.
This 4-year-old gelding is trained by Natalia Lupini, a smart operator based in Northern Ireland who doesn’t send one across the Irish Sea without believing it has a real chance.
She had this to say about his chances:
“He has good enough form. He was a bit slow out of the stalls last time in a Listed race, but finished very well. He’s travelled over nicely, and we’re very happy with his work at home. He could be well in at the weights, and we have a good jockey on board in Oisin Murphy.”
He's lightly raced, still improving, and shaped nicely last time despite a slow start. With conditions to suit, a strong jockey booking, and extra place value on offer, he looks a fair each-way play at 12/1 to round off the day.
