Four horses who could book their Royal Ascot ticket this week

The start of Royal Ascot is two weeks away and while even the best plans made by trainers and owners are always subject to change, the likely contenders are becoming more clear by the week.

However, there are several possibles who need a strong performance either to justify their royal excursion or to get into a competitive handicap, so here are four runners to keep an eye on this week with Royal Ascot on the horizon. . .

Lush Life
Tuesday
7.20 Newcastle

Winner of the Whitsun Cup on Sandown's Brigadier Gerard evening card, Lush Life remains unlikely to squeeze her way into her intended target of the Royal Hunt Cup from her mark of 94.

Lush Life: likely needs a win to get into the Royal Hunt CupCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

The last time the rating currently occupied by the four-year-old filly was good enough to get into the competitive straight mile handicap was 2012, so it's no surprise trainer Jamie Osborne is targeting a 5lb penalty at Newcastle to get Lush Life into the race.

Last year's Hunt Cup winner Settle For Bay could warm up for his defence at Leopardstown on Thursday.

Barbados
Thursday
7.55 Leopardstown

Aidan O'Brien has won two of the last three King George V Cups at Leopardstown, with both of his victors heading on to Royal Ascot.

Last year's winner Guiseppe Garibaldi produced a clear best in the Listed race before finishing an admirable third behind Old Persian in the King Edward VII Stakes.

Although O'Brien has several entered, Barbados could fit the bill of an improving colt to aim at the same route after his comfortable success in a Navan maiden.

Navan winner Barbados is entered at Leopardstown on ThursdayCredit: Patrick McCann

Saturday
3.00 Haydock

Owned by the Elite Racing Club, Judicial returned to action with a slightly underwhelming run in the Palace House Stakes, finishing a never-threatening seventh behind Mabs Cross.

The disappointment perhaps lies with the seven-year-old pushing the same winner mightily close in the Palace House last year, while Judicial also beat Muthmir to land the Group 3 Coral Charge last season.

He is clearly talented, but trainer Julie Camacho may want a good performance at Haydock to justify his inclusion in the King's Stand Stakes.

Saturday
3.55 Newmarket/4.10 Haydock

Louie De Palma's career has been an eventful one, but the seven-year-old picked up his first win since his two-year-old season at Ascot last month.

He has been raised 4lb for that, but given course form always plays a big part at the Berkshire track, it is easy to assume Clive Cox and owner Peter Ridgers would like to target him at the Wokingham if they can get into the race.

Louie De Palma will need another win to get the opportunity, so expect to see him out at Haydock or Newmarket this weekend in search of a valuable penalty.

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