Royal Ascot going changed to good, good to firm in places for final day

Conditions for the last day of Royal Ascot have quickened up with the ground changed to good, good to firm in places (from good, good to soft in places on the Round course) on Saturday morning.

Clerk of the course Chris Stickels said: "The track is drying really nicely and the going is now good, good to firm in places. It's a lovely bright and sunny morning and we've been dry since Wednesday."

A dry and sunny day is forecast (22C) and there is plenty to look forward to with a fascinating climax to the five-day meeting in store.

Blue Point's inclusion in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (4.20) is the big story brewing on the track, with the two-time King's Stand winner tasked with emulating Choisir, who completed the Group 1 sprint double at the royal meeting in 2003.

It could be a fine day for Godolphin, Charlie Appleby and James Doyle as Space Blues appears to have a fine chance in the Jersey Stakes (3.05), a welcome addition to the Saturday programme, while stablemate and 2018 Derby winner Masar makes his return to action from injury in the Hardwicke Stakes (3.40).

The Chesham (2.30), Wokingham (5.00) and Queen Alexandra (5.35) are all fabulous races in their own right and away from Ascot there is a plethora of racing to keep an eye on.

Lah Ti Dar, the mount of Frankie Dettori, is a non-runner in the Hardwicke with a self-certificate (not eaten up). Dettori, who leads Ryan Moore 7-5 in the race to be Royal Ascot top jockey, has five other rides on the card with Moore having a full book of six.

The card at Ayr, featuring Listed action (4.25) is perhaps the pick of the seven remaining fixtures, with Redcar, Newmarket, Down Royal and Perth all racing in the afternoon. The evening fare comes from Lingfield and Haydock.

Going report

Ascot (first race at: 2.30)
Good, good to firm in places (from good, good to soft in places on the Round course). GoingStick readings on Saturday at 8.15am - Stands' side 8.2, Centre 8.4, Far Side 8.1; Round 6.7

Redcar (1.35)
Good (from good to soft, good in places)

Newmarket (July) (1.40)
Good (from good to soft, good in places). Rail movements: 2.10 +30yds

Down Royal (1.45)
Yielding, yielding to soft (Round) and good to yielding (Straight)

Perth (1.50)
Good (GoingStick 7.4 on Saturday at 7.30am). Rail movements: 1.50 & 2.55 +86yds, 2.20 +67yds, 3.30 & 4.50 +107yds, 4.10 +110yds and 5.25 +71yds.

Ayr (2.00)
Good, good to firm in places (GoingStick 7.9 on Saturday at 7am). Rail movements: 2.00, 3.10 & 5.05 +15yds

Lingfield (5.45)
Good to soft (from good to soft, soft in places)

Haydock (6.30)
Good to soft (from soft, good to soft in places) (GoingStick 6.8 on Saturday at 6.30am). Rail movements: 6.30 +10yds

Royal Ascot non-runners

2.30 3 Dark Kris (going); 10 Mohican Heights (going)
3.40 9 Lah Ti Dar (self-certificate)
5.00 14 Merhoob (going); 25 Alba Power (vet's certificate); 28 Recon Mission (going)
5.35 8 Le Maitre Chat (going)

What to back

Get our experts' best picks for the final day of Royal Ascot in the daily Tips Box, while David Jennings has selected three bets in Ten Second Tips.

Members can access the final day picks by Pricewise (part one and part two) and Paul Kealy.

What to read

Hayley Turner made history when Thanks Be won the Sandringham Stakes, as she became only the second female rider to win at the meeting after Gay Kelleway, who hailed Turner's success.

Look ahead to the final day of Royal Ascot as Godolphin prepare some big guns for a final assault.

What to watch

Bruce Millington, Paul Kealy, David Jennings and Paddy Power's Paul Binfield pick out their best bets in the day five Postcast.

The best of Racing Post Sport

The ICC Cricket World Cup continues with West Indies v New Zealand and India v Afghanisatan.

Final thought

It is a brave decision by Godolphin and Charlie Appleby to run Blue Point in the Diamond Jubilee, but he thrives at Ascot, it's been achieved before and victory would unquestionably place Blue Point high in the list of outstanding sprinters. However, jumps owners and trainers might wonder why it's acceptable to run a horse twice at Royal Ascot but not at the Cheltenham Festival, for all that Blue Point's challenge is a very different test.

For the freshest betting advice, based on latest going and market conditions, don't miss the Live Tipster every afternoon. Just click Raceday Live at racingpost.com or the mobile app