Royal Ascot 2020: Day 1 Schedule, Time, Runners, Riders, Tips And More

We have everything you need for day one of Royal Ascot. Check the latest news and non-runners, as well as the complete list of today's races including exclusive tips from racing experts. You will also find the daily Royal Ascot show, What A Shout, where our racing pundits talk through the day's racing, and we compile the latest Royal Asxot free bets and offers for you to choose from.

Royal Ascot: Day 1 Races

The opening day of Royal Ascot kicks off proceedings with seven races, and there's plenty of reasons to get excited with five Group races including the feature, the King’s Stand Stakes. The curtain-raiser is the return of the Buckingham Palace Stakes, revived for 2020 to facilitate the increase in Royal Ascot entries. Possibly the most anticipated race of the day is the Ribblesdale, in which John Gosden's filly Frankly Darling could stamp her authority under Frankie Dettori before a crack at the Investec Oaks.

1.15pm (Handicap) Cl2 7f £35,000

1.50pm (Group 1) 1m £35,000

2.25pm (Group 2) 1m4f £35,000

3.00pm (Group 2 1) 1m4f £35,000

3.35pm The King's Stand Stakes (Group 1) 5f £35,000

4.10pm (Group 2) 1m £35,000

4.40pm (Handicap) Cl2 2m4f £35,000

Ascot racecourse going report

The going conditions at Ascot are subject to change depending on the level of moisture in the ground. The latest going report for Ascot is good.

Royal Ascot: Day 1 Tips

Our experts nominate their selections for each race on day one of Royal Ascot to help you find more winners.

Buckingham Palace Handicap – Kaeso

• Cannot fault his C&D record, having been involved in two tight finishes for top handicaps here in 2019; better for a recent tune-up behind Daarik on the AW and big run likely with Oisin Murphy up for the first time.

Queen Anne Stakes – Mohaather

• Had time off before returning in the Queen Elizabeth II here in October, finishing a creditable fifth on first attempt over 1m; still lightly raced and may well rate higher yet; respected.

Ribblesdale Stakes – Trefoil

• Won with something left up her sleeve at Newmarket on sole two-year-old start then ran well in the Pretty Polly Stakes there nine days ago, finishing third; should have more to offer and warrants respect upped further in trip.

King Edward VII Stakes – Papa Power

• Left January's debut behind when easily making all on his two starts in February, beating a previous winner last time without having to come off the bridle. It's possible he'll get an uncontested lead in this small field and Silvestre de Sousa excels in such a scenario.

King's Stand Stakes – Battaash

• It's not as easy for him to give his rivals the slip on this track as at Goodwood or York but he can't entirely be blamed for the way things turned out in the last two runnings of this and at least today he won't have a big crowd to get on his nerves.

Duke Of Cambridge Stakes – Jubiloso

• Disappointing at Sandown when last seen in August (first encounter with fast ground); however, she's had a good break since and this lightly raced four-year-old holds leading claims if tapping back into the promise shown when third in last year's Group 1 Coronation Stakes (1m round, good) at this meeting; top trainer (who also saddles Queen Power) has won this four times.

Ascot Stakes – Blue Laureate

• Has run really well on all three starts in these cheekpieces, stayed on well over 2m7f on soft ground over hurdles last December and today's test of stamina could be right up his street; versatile ground-wise and has run well here; player for last year's winning trainer.

Royal Ascot: Free Bets

SKY BET OFFER

New customer offer

Sky Bet offer for new customers

Get £20 in free bets when you place a £5 bet.

• First single and EW bet
• Odds of 1-1 (evens) or greater
• 2x £10 free bet tokens
• Free bet stakes not included in returns and are non-withdrawable and do not expire
• Eligibility restrictions and full terms apply

View the full terms and here

BET365 OFFER

Bet365 customers can get a risk free bet if they back a Royal Ascot winner at 4-1 or more on any televised ITV race.

• Back a winner at 4-1 or more with bet365 and get a risk free bet on the next live ITV race (up to £/€50) at bet365
• Offer applies to first single bet placed
• Applies to Win and Each-Way Fixed Odds markets and Enhanced Place Terms markets only
• Bet restrictions and T&Cs apply
• New and eligible customers only
• 18+ T&Cs apply

View the full terms

For the must-have Royal Ascot free bets and sign up offers, visit the Racing Post free bets page here

Popular pages