ROYAL ASCOT - DAY 4 (FRIDAY)

We enter the latter stages of this five day meeting and after a fairly successful four days so far the Racing Daily team previews all of Friday's action. 14:30 ASCOT

It may be a rather obvious selection, but I simply cannot look beyond Sun Goddess as the most likely winner of Friday’s opening contest. Aidan O’Brien’s filly blew away her rivals when stepped up to six furlongs at the Curragh last month, quickly putting daylight between herself and the field when asked before drawing five lengths clear of her nearest challenger.

Silent Beauty showed plenty of promise when winning on debut and looks the most likely threat, while Light Of Dawn and Libertango can be expected to battle it out for the minor honours.

(written by Dean Kilbryde)

15:05 ASCOT

I wouldn’t be overly keen on Albert Einstein. I think Aidan O’Brien may have left himself uncertain as to what trip suits the horse best this season, and his results so far perhaps reflect that.

Venetian Sun heads the market after her impressive victory at Haydock and it’s easy to see why. However, in a race featuring 22 runners, I’m not convinced taking a short price about the favourite represents the best value. There may be stronger betting opportunities elsewhere. Whether Ascot’s good-to-firm ground will suit her quite as well as Newmarket’s version of the same description also remains open to question.

Charles Darwin sports first-time blinkers and I’d expect him to be ridden positively from the front.

At a bigger price, I’d rather side with Division for William Haggas. The trainer was quoted at a Royal Ascot preview event last week saying he wasn’t entirely happy with the ride his colt received last time out. Improved tactics could therefore unlock further progress and I’m happy to forgive that latest effort. He has been competitive in the majority of his starts and looks worthy of an each-way play.

(written by Luke Tucker)

15:40 ASCOT

This looks a fascinating blend of exposed, experienced handicappers and several improving types.

Two of the more established runners, Nightime Dancer and Insanity, possess the credentials to run well in a race of this nature, but it seems highly likely that something less exposed is lurking with a few pounds in hand.

Hopewell Rock certainly fits that description. The form of his comeback effort at Newmarket this season has been boosted significantly, with the winner subsequently scoring at Royal Ascot.

The selection, however, is Emit. His stable has enjoyed an excellent week at Ascot and the booking of Ryan Moore catches the eye. A strong stayer over this trip, this contest looks an ideal opportunity for him.

(written by Matt Polley)

16:20 ASCOT

The Irish, English and German 1,000 Guineas winners all line up here and the trio each have strong claims.

Precise and True Love clashed in both the English and Irish Guineas, with True Love finishing first and second in those contests while Precise was seventh at Newmarket before gaining compensation with victory in her native Ireland. Of the pair, True Love arguably boasts the stronger overall form, including a success in last year’s Queen Mary at this meeting.

That said, it’s difficult not to trust Ryan Moore’s judgement. He had the option of riding either Ballydoyle runner and has elected to partner Precise, which is enough to sway the vote in her favour.

The aforementioned German 1,000 Guineas winner Timeforsharing disappointed at Newmarket before producing a dominant display back on home soil. Aside from that below-par effort, she has done very little wrong and could easily outperform her odds.

(written by Rory Paddock)

17:00 ASCOT

There are plenty of potentially progressive types in this year’s huge Sandringham Stakes field. I particularly like the profile of Seet, who arrives seeking a hat-trick after back-to-back victories at Doncaster. The John Gosden-trained filly makes her handicap debut here and still appears capable of further improvement.

At a bigger price, I’m also drawn towards Quiet Mutiny, who defeated Precise in Ireland last season and now steps up to a mile following a solid placed effort at the Curragh a month ago. Gavin Cromwell regularly sends likeable contenders to the major festivals and this filly looks no exception.

(written by John Arnold)

17:35 ASCOT

William Buick and Ryan Moore produced a thrilling finish in yesterday’s Gold Cup and they could once again dominate proceedings as they renew rivalry aboard two well-fancied contenders.

Causeway is unbeaten in three starts this season, stepping up in both trip and class with each outing before landing a Group 3 contest when last seen. On established form he sets the standard.

However, Water To Wine made a striking impression when winning on debut at Newbury before missing the Chester Vase and being rerouted to Kempton, where he absolutely cruised to victory, scoring by 11 lengths while still on the bridle. On potential alone he could be anything, and I’m happy to side with that upside and trust William Buick to deliver another Royal Ascot success.

(written by Dean Kilbryde)

18:10 ASCOT

With the maximum field of 28 runners set to go to post, this looks an extremely difficult race to solve and has left me with a shortlist of five who make plenty of appeal.

Towards the head of the market, Gold Digger and Westport both make their handicap debuts after recording convincing victories on their most recent starts.

We’ve already seen George Boughey and Billy Loughnane carry these colours to success this week and Westport remains unbeaten in all three career outings to date, having been handed what appears a fairly lenient opening mark. That said, a low draw has generally been a disadvantage on Ascot’s straight course this week and stall 3 could make life difficult.

Thankfully, Gold Digger has been allocated a double-figure stall, which should prove more advantageous. Despite starting as the likely favourite, she still appears to offer some value for connections with an excellent recent record at this meeting.

Attention then turns to the American-based pair Bacio and Sandal’s Song. Both should be well suited by the minimum trip and quicker conditions, but there has been plenty of positive talk regarding Bacio’s work at home and, combined with a favourable high draw, she looks particularly interesting.

For those searching for a bigger-priced alternative, Calico Blue is worth considering despite a less favourable stall position. He finished a close second in a strong handicap last time out and could reverse that form racing from an improved position at the weights.

(written by Rory Paddock)