The Ascot Stakes is a handicap run over 2m4f. It takes place at 17:05 on Tuesday 18th June, which is the first day of Royal Ascot 2024. View the runners here, and also make sure to check out the odds and tips on offer for this race.

NO.DRAW
FORM

HORSE

ODDS

JOCKEY& TRAINER

AGE

WGT

RPR

17⁽¹⁷⁾

4700-9

The Grand Visir

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Ian Williams

8-13

104

Triumphed in this race in 2019; no win since but he was placed in the Queen Alexandra at this meeting in 2020, 2021 and 2023, and hampered on his way to a never-nearer eighth in this race last year; today's mark is his lowest since July 2017 and plenty of efforts last June-September give him a cracking chance; warmed up satisfactorily in the Chester Cup and enters each-way calculations, even though there are more likely winners.

2⁽⁹⁾

2170-5

The Very Man

J: Shane Foley

T: Mrs John Harrington

9-11

107

Very solid sequence last spring/summer on ground ranging from good (unraced on firmer) to heavy, including a dominant display from the back over 2m at this track; 7lb higher mark today demands a career-best Flat performance but he was bang there in blanket finish to a good handicap hurdle last month and it's not hard to think that this trip will suit.

6⁽¹⁹⁾

01199/

Master Milliner

J: Sean Levey

T: Emma Lavelle

9-7

Surged to new heights in July 2022 when winning at Kempton (2m, AW) and Glorious Goodwood (2m4f, good to firm); the latter display would make him a player (2lb higher today) but he's unraced since that September, which poses a big question.

13⁽¹⁵⁾

75-536

Get Shirty

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O'Meara

9-2

104

Won the Copper Horse over 1m6f (stays at least 2m) at this meeting in 2022 and was in blinding form that spring/summer, but he's lacked the same punch since back in Britain from May 2023 onwards; now 20lb below his peak mark and finished much closer again on the first two of his three starts this term, but plenty of others are still more persuasive.

9⁽¹³⁾

254-63

Berkshire Rocco

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

9-6

101

Runner-up in the 2020 St Leger and won on AW (2m) in January 2023; has a mixed record since, the best of which were his two good runs last August when second here (2m; will stay further) and fifth in the Ebor (good to firm); that form gives him a shout (1lb lower today) and his latest start was a step back in the right direction, but he does not look the percentage call.

7⁽⁶⁾

040-54

Tritonic

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

9-7

108

Won four-runner chase in November; third in this race last year (on good) is the clear pick of his seven Flat starts in 2023 or 2024 and he's now 5lb lower, giving him a great chance if he were back to that level; beaten about 5l in two useful AW races this term, battling on; the cheekpieces (last used in May 2023) are of uncertain benefit but he can't be dismissed lightly.

1⁽²⁾

/6/32-

Pied Piper

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Gordon Elliott

9-12

100

105

Met lots of trouble in running when sixth in this race on good to firm in 2022; high-class hurdler (placed in last two editions of the County Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival) who showed that he's still a force on the Flat when staying on relentlessly for a close second of 31 in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket (2m2f, soft) last October; big-race performer, still just a 6yo but more exposed than some in this.

16⁽¹⁴⁾

400-30

Law Of The Sea

J: Jim Crowley

T: Ian Williams

9-1

108

Started last season well on varied ground, including when fourth in this race; went off the rails later in 2023 and although he was nearly back with a bang in the Chester Plate last month, doubts return following a poor show at Haydock on latest outing; well handicapped on best 2023 efforts.

5⁽⁵⁾

313-31

Divine Comedy

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Harry Eustace

9-9

104

Nearly always ridden these days by Kaiya Fraser; last season went well, including winning on varied ground in three of her five turf starts, doing so easily by 10l on good to firm on second occasion; improved again when impressive winner of a quite valuable handicap at Haydock (2m, soft) last month; 9lb higher today but she's far from fully exposed at 2m and could be a serious proposition at this trip as well.

10⁽⁴⁾

3/07-3

Zanndabad

J: William Buick

T: Mrs C O'Leary

9-6

105

Four Flat wins in France up to 10.5f on softer than good; failed to get his head in front where it matters in his nine races for the now-suspended Tony Martin but he's started to knock on the door very loudly; seemed to be outbattled in 2m3f maiden hurdle here in March, but travelled strongly in rear and flew home all too late when close third of 16 in the Chester Cup (2m2f, good to firm; 2lb higher today) on return to Flat; that puts him high on the list and William Buick won this race in 2021 and 2023.

12⁽⁸⁾

0/160-

Nusret

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien

9-3

103

Grade 1 placed as a juvenile hurdler in April 2023 and won a 1m6f Flat handicap at the Curragh that June; while his hurdles performances in December and this April were satisfactory, he appears to be much more interesting today away from soft ground (ran on good to firm just once, creditably) and with this new stamina test, which could be just his cup of tea.

19⁽⁷⁾

44732-

Nathanael Greene

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Alastair Ralph

8-13

109

Ran creditably in defeat last spring/summer for William Haggas, including when fourth in the 2m Northumberland Plate; changed hands for 45,000gns in September and pulled up (bled from the nose) in a maiden hurdle in November on his only run since; return of headgear may help but his only win in a handicap was in July 2022.

3⁽¹⁶⁾

2/134-

My Lyka

J: Ryan Moore

T: W P Mullins

9-10

103

Has had just seven races and is now tongue tied first time; won over 1m4f (soft) and 10.5f (AW) in France; 110,000euros buy last July and pretty useful at the first attempt over hurdles when pipped at Killarney (2m4f) five weeks ago; there's plenty of the stayer about this Irish St Leger entry who comes from a yard which requires maximum attention in this race.

14⁽³⁾

019-54

Almuhit

J: Colin Keane

T: Emmet Mullins

9-1

105

Does not look straightforward but he delivered some solid runs on the Flat last summer, including a last-gasp win in small field over 2m1f, and has run respectably behind Boher Road in both Flat runs this term; still early days with Emmet Mullins, who's pulled a few rabbits from the hat, and this 5yo holds each-way interest with major stamina test away from soft ground.

15⁽¹²⁾

2103-2

Temporize

J: Tom Marquand

T: Syd Hosie

9-1

108

The Cesarewitch was his only disappointment for new yard last season and his win came at Glorious Goodwood (2m4f, soft); 7lb higher today, nudged up another 1lb following his second to Pledgeofallegiance at Goodwood (2m, good; acts on good to firm) on reappearance last month; went close at this track last July and should again be seriously involved.

11⁽¹⁸⁾

7/605-

Ndaawi

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Gordon Elliott

9-4

107

Two wins at about 1m as 2yo, one on good; his three Flat races last term saw him well beaten in two Listed events and tailed off at Royal Ascot in the Group 2 Queen's Vase, but he went on to be a pretty useful juvenile hurdler in the mud for new yard, including when third of 22 in the 4yo handicap at Cheltenham Festival (2m); has to be considered seriously.

20⁽²⁰⁾

324531

Tenerife Sunshine

J: James Doyle

T: Charlie Johnston

8-12

106

Ran just once on good to firm (not disgraced); has run every month since last August, winning the first and latest of those 13 handicaps and performing pretty consistently; last four races have been over about 2m and the Goodwood win (on good) under James Doyle nine days ago reaffirmed that he's a strong candidate for this sort of trip; the front two were 6l clear that day and he's not ruled out by today's 5lb penalty.

4⁽¹⁰⁾

810-11

Boher Road

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Jarlath P Fahey

9-9

102

Unraced on firmer than good; fairly useful hurdler who's won from the front in three of his last four Flat starts, including at Navan (1m5f, good to yielding) and Killarney (2m1f, soft; Almuhit fourth) in his two runs this season; the latter was in fine style and a major step forward with the step up in trip, so this improving 5yo is one to take seriously despite his rise in the weights and a much stronger race.

8⁽¹¹⁾

311-01

Kyle Of Lochalsh

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Hughie Morrison

9-6

109

Moving up to 1m5f did the trick at Newbury (good) last July and he also won going away twice over 1m6f at Chelmsford (AW) late last year; never figured after starting slowly in valuable AW race when upped to 2m at Newcastle in March, but he asserted in grand style to score easing down at Salisbury (1m6f, soft; up 10lb today) last month to suggest he could still develop into a very useful stayer; he was also declared for the 1m6f race at 6.15, but eliminated as a reserve.

18⁽¹⁾

031-31

Pledgeofallegiance

J: Luke Morris

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

8-13

108

Has mostly run well since handicapping, one of the exceptions on his sole visit to this track but that was on soft ground and the only time he's had a visor (usually wears cheekpieces); three front-running wins on turf at up to 2m last season and renewed his progress this term, always prominent when scoring from Temporize at Goodwood (2m) last time; whether he can get a good enough early position from stall 1 is a worry, as he's not been quick to find his stride this term, but otherwise he should run very well.

RACING POST TIP

Nusret

Calculations for the Ascot Stakes usually start with Willie Mullins, last year being a rare occasion that one of his representatives failed to make a serious impact, so his unexposed 5yo My Lyka goes straight on the shortlist. Zanndabad does too, after his fast-finishing third in the Chester Cup, and so does the hat-trick seeking Boher Road, but the most potent Irish challenger may well turn out to be NUSRET, for whom a return to better ground looks ideal and the longer trip could unlock something special. While the British runners clearly have plenty on their hands, Divine Comedy scored so easily at Haydock that she is second on the list, with Pledgeofallegiance and Tenerife Sunshine also bringing potential as well as last-time-out wins.

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Year	Horse [Draw]	Age	Weight	SP	Trainer	Jockey
2023	Ahorsewithnoname [7]	8	9-8	7/1	Nicky Henderson	William Buick
2022	Coltrane [6]	5	9-5	14/1	Andrew Balding	Callum Hutchinson
2021	Juan Elcarno [5]	4	9-3	14/1	Kevin Ryan	Andrea Atzeni
2020	Coeur De Lion [9]	7	8-10	16/1	Alan King	Thore Hammer Hansen 5
2019	The Grand Visir [18]	5	9-10	12/1	Ian Williams	Richard Kingscote
2018	Lagostovegas [1]	6	9-3	10/1	W P Mullins	Andrea Atzeni
2017	Thomas Hobson [11]	7	9-10	4/1F	W P Mullins	Ryan Moore
2016	Jennies Jewel [2]	9	9-3	6/1	Jarlath P Fahey	Ronan Whelan
2015	Clondaw Warrior [19]	8	9-0	5/1F	W P Mullins	Ryan Moore
2014	Domination [17]	7	9-7	12/1	C Byrnes	Fran Berry

Key race stats 2024

Key trends

Won a Flat handicap, 10/10
Won within last five Flat starts, 9/10
Previously ran over hurdles, 8/10
Raced no more than once on the Flat that season, 8/10
Officially rated 91-98, 7/10

Other factors

Three winners were set to carry 9st 10lb (2022 winner Coltrane was ridden by a 5lb claimer).

Only three winners had scored beyond 2m on the Flat.

What happened in the Ascot Stakes last year?

AHORSEWITHNONAME, who won a Listed hurdle at Cheltenham in April on her previous start, had an uninterrupted run against the far rail and turned in her best effort over the longest trip she’s tackled in this sphere to make it a fifth Flat win. Calling The Wind wasn’t beaten far in the Chester Cup last time, ran well under his capable apprentice back up in trip on this less-demanding surface. With more Chester Cup form on show with Tritonic back in third and Law Of The Seas the fourth home.

Ascot Stakes

17:05 Royal Ascot

RACING POST TIP

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Key race stats 2024

What happened in the Ascot Stakes last year?

All Races