ROYAL ASCOT - DAY 5 (SATURDAY)

It's the fifth and final day from Royal Ascot and after another solid performance with our team tips yesterday we look to finish the 'Royal Meeting' with more winners. 14:30 ASCOT

There are several inexperienced horses in this contest with form achieved in small fields that is difficult to properly assess, while Wesley Ward also brings over three challengers.

Carry The Flag has the strongest credentials, having beaten Sun Goddess, who subsequently finished second in the Albany, before later finishing runner-up himself behind Coventry Stakes winner Great Barrier Reef. The drop back to five furlongs looks an added bonus for the speedily bred Aidan O’Brien juvenile and he appears a worthy favourite.

Flight Signal looked impressive at Bath with the form already receiving some collateral boosts, while Where Love Lives also appeals at bigger odds. With some bookmakers paying four places, both are worth including alongside the favourite.

(written by Alan Morris)

15:05 ASCOT

Kalpana signed off both the 2024 campaign and began her 2025 season in style with Group 1 victories, including success in the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes over this course and distance. We know she handles both track and trip without issue and she arrives here following another reappearance victory at Newbury last month. At the top of her game and with proven Ascot form, she looks the one to beat.

Jan Brueghel is a three-time Group 1 winner who has proven himself over distances ranging from 10 to 14 furlongs and on ground varying from good to firm through to soft. He has made the frame in eight of his nine starts, with the only blemish coming when fourth of five over this course and distance last summer. A high-class performer, he is unlikely to be far away at the finish.

(written by Dean Kilbryde)

15:40 ASCOT

This is arguably the most internationally flavoured race of the entire meeting and traditionally attracts elite sprinting talent from across the globe.

Satono Reve was beaten by Ka Ying Rising at Sha Tin last time out and there is certainly no disgrace in that effort. He looks capable of going one place better than he managed in this race last year.

Joliestar has developed into one of Australia’s leading sprint stars and possesses an excellent chance if adapting to Ascot’s unique demands. Meanwhile, Lake Forest returns to sprinting for the first time in quite some while and also looks a serious contender.

It promises to be a thrilling spectacle.

(written by John Arnold)

16:20 ASCOT

Sabre Strike has been well backed throughout the week after receiving glowing reports from trainer William Haggas, who has already enjoyed several winners at this year’s meeting. This lightly raced colt makes just his third career start and it would come as no surprise were he to score here before progressing to even better things.

Into The Sky should appreciate this drop back in trip after appearing not to see out the mile in the 2,000 Guineas.

However, my selection comes at a much bigger price. Andab may not possess the untapped potential of some towards the head of the market, but he invariably runs his race. Finishing third behind Talk Of New York and second behind Causeway represents some of the strongest form on offer, not to mention his fourth-place finish in last year’s Coventry Stakes.

(written by Toby Darby)

17:00 ASCOT

The Godolphin powerhouse enjoyed Royal Ascot success with Ombudsman earlier in the week and has gone close in several subsequent contests. Their representative here is Spy Chief, who hails from the leading yard of John and Thady Gosden.

He may shoulder top weight, but this is only his handicap debut and, after running well in last year’s Jersey Stakes, he possesses a touch of class that many of these rivals lack. He returned from a lengthy absence with a solid second in Listed company and should now be fitter and primed for another bold showing at this meeting.

Another handicap debutant worthy of consideration is Mitbaahy. Like Spy Chief, he benefits from a favourable high draw and with rising star Billy Loughnane, who has enjoyed an excellent week, taking the ride, he has plenty in his favour. Although now in the twilight of his career, he has performed admirably on two previous visits to this meeting while competing in top-level Group 1 company. This represents a significant drop in class and he cannot be dismissed at generous odds.

The third and final selection is the oldest horse in the race, Apollo One, who boasts an outstanding Ascot record. The former course and distance winner has one victory and two further placed efforts here, relishing the unique demands of the track. Despite his advancing years, he races from a very attractive mark and also benefits from a high draw.

Of the remainder, Double Rush, Soldier’s Tree and Evening Saigon should all feature on punters’ shortlists.

(written by Rory Paddock)

17:35 ASCOT

Lost Boys has since been purchased by powerhouse owners Wathnan Racing following his battling success in the London Gold Cup and it would come as little surprise were he to take another significant step forward here.

A striking son of Night Of Thunder, he looks an ultra-progressive type and, with this galloping mile and a half expected to suit perfectly, he appears capable of defying a 7lb higher mark.

The chief danger may come from fellow Wathnan Racing runner Sahara King, who finished just behind the selection at Newbury last time out.

(written by Sam King)

18:10 ASCOT

Le Destrier heads the betting for the Queen Alexandra Stakes representing Willie Mullins, who regularly targets this race at Royal Ascot. He produced a fine performance when finishing third behind Scandinavia last time out, although there remain question marks over whether this extreme trip will suit and that alone could leave him vulnerable.

Illinois, who was runner-up in last season’s Gold Cup and therefore has proven stamina, was used as an aggressively ridden pacemaker at Epsom just two weeks ago before weakening rapidly. He looked thoroughly spent that day and would need to have recovered fully to play a major role here.

Columbus, another Willie Mullins representative, also possesses plenty of back class but similarly raises doubts as to whether such an extended distance will bring out the best in him. His strongest form has generally come with a little ease in the ground.

A Piece Of Heaven is a proven stayer who arrives in good form for a stable enjoying an excellent week. He ticks plenty of boxes and, although perhaps lacking the class of some towards the head of the market, carries far fewer concerns regarding both stamina and current wellbeing, making him a very solid each-way proposition.

(written by Liam Hall)