Cracking the Royal Ascot puzzle with David Jennings

Deputy Irish editor David Jennings takes you through the Royal Ascot card on Thursday . . .

Royal Ascot tips: Thursday

2.30 Royal Ascot Norfolk Stakes, 5f, Group 2

Elite Status looked like a rocket at Sandown but I just couldn't contemplate backing him at such a skimpy price, so Devious will do instead. He's enormous and there was a swagger about the way he won at Naas.

DJ's tip: Devious

Devious14:30 Ascot

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Jky: Gavin Ryan Tnr: Donnacha Aidan O'Brien

3.05 Royal Ascot King George V Stakes, 1m4f, heritage handicap

Maybe it's foolish to be fancying a horse who has never graced grass before, well in public anyway, but Tagabawa might be chucked in off 97. The four-runner event he won at Kempton in April could hardly have worked out better. The second and fourth won next time and the third was beaten only a short head. He's a half-brother to Manobo so is certainly bred to be better than a 97-rated handicapper.

DJ's tip: Tagabawa

Tagabawa15:05 Ascot

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Jky: William Buick Tnr: Charlie Appleby

3.40 Royal Ascot Ribblesdale Stakes, 1m4f, Group 2

The world and her mother seem to think Al Asifah is awesome, and she might well be, but she is 4-7 in a 19-runner Ribblesdale and she beat trees at Goodwood. If Infinite Cosmos wasn't a non-runner I would have been all over her each-way but, now that she's out, I can't find anything to trouble the equine version of Dina Asher-Smith in here. Sorry.

DJ's tip: Al Asifah

Al Asifah15:40 Ascot

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Jky: Jim Crowley Tnr: John & Thady Gosden

4.20 Royal Ascot Gold Cup, 2m4f, Group 1 

I was tempted by Echoes In Rain, she's a better mare than Burning Victory who was only beaten a length and a half in a better running last year, but I have a feeling she'll finish somewhere between second and fifth. Emily Dickinson has long been my fancy for this and you can forget her Saval Beg fiasco. She's better judged on her Navan win in April and this trip might well be the making of her. In Aidan O'Brien we once again trust.

DJ's tip: Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson16:20 Ascot

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Jky: Ryan Moore Tnr: A P O'Brien

5.00 Royal Ascot Britannia Stakes, 1m, heritage handicap

This has been a rotten race for favourites. None have won in the last decade so what am I going to do? Yes, you guessed it. Tip the favourite. Quantum Impact still looks to have room to manoeuvre off his mark and the booking of Frankie is always notable.

DJ's tip: Quantum Impact

Quantum Impact17:00 Ascot

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Jky: Frankie Dettori Tnr: Ralph Beckett

5.35 Royal Ascot Hampton Court Stakes, 1m2f, Group 3 

The London Gold Cup produced one of the most thrilling finishes of the season and the one I took away from it was Bold Act. He powered home and looks tailor-made for a race like this.

DJ's tip: Bold Act

Bold Act17:35 Ascot

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Jky: William Buick Tnr: Charlie Appleby

6.10 Royal Ascot Buckingham Palace Stakes, 7f, handicap

You can't blame Clive Cox for trying Kingdom Come over a mile. The experiment went well, but he didn't just quite get home. He's a seven-furlong specialist and could even be a Group performer over this trip. Expect him to prove himself to be much better than a mark of 102 over his optimum trip, maybe even here.

DJ's tip: Kingdom Come

Kingdom Come18:10 Ascot

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Jky: Kieran Shoemark Tnr: Clive Cox

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