Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Coventry Stakes (Group 2)

King's Stand Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

St James's Palace Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Colts)

Ascot Stakes (Handicap)

Wolferton Stakes (Listed Race)

Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap)

Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies)

Queen's Vase (Group 2)

Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies & Mares)

Prince Of Wales's Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap)

Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed Race)

Kensington Palace Stakes (Handicap) (Fillies & Mares)

Norfolk Stakes (Group 2)

Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3)

Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies)

Gold Cup (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (Colts & Geldings)

King George V Stakes (Handicap)

Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap)

Albany Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies)

King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings)

Commonwealth Cup (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Colts & Fillies)

Coronation Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Fillies)

Sandringham Stakes (Handicap) (Fillies)

Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap)

Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes (Handicap)

Chesham Stakes (Listed Race)

Jersey Stakes (Group 3)

Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2)

Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap)

Golden Gates Stakes (Handicap)

Queen Alexandra Stakes

Compare the odds for all the runners in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot 2021. Find out which bookmaker is offering the best odds.

St James's Palace Stakes tips and predictions from our horse racing experts for the fourth race on day 1 of Royal Ascot 2021.

The St James's Palace Stakes is a Group 1 contest run over a mile. It takes place at 16:20 on Tuesday 15th June, which is the first day of Royal Ascot 2021. View the runners here, and also make sure to check out the odds and tips on offer for this race.

Compare odds for all the runners in the St James's Palace Stakes on day one of Royal Ascot 2021. Some bookmakers offer different odds and unique offers so look out for the offer icons under the bookmaker logos. This is often a highly competitive race so you may want to look for an each-way alternative at bigger odds, which is where the St James's Palace Stakes odds comparison comes in handy.

St James’s Palace Stakes Odds Comparison 2021 | Racing Post

St James’s Palace Stakes Tips - Royal Ascot 2021 | Racing Post

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<span data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;The National Hunt Chase odds comparison grid is simple and easy to use. All the runners are listed down the left, whilst each bookmaker is presented across the top. The odds box that crosses the horse and the bookmaker, is the odds that bookmaker is offering on that specific horse. \n\nThe odds that have a bold number indicate the best price available for that horse in the National Hunt Chase. The odds boxes are coloured red and blue to indicate whether a horse is being supported or not. The red boxes show a drift in price, which means the odds are getting bigger as less punters are betting on that horse. In contrast, the blue box shows when the odds are contracting, indicating the horse is being supported in the betting.\n\nUnderneath the bookmaker logo, are the offers available for the National Hunt Chase by that bookmaker. Some bookmakers offer more places for each way bets, or money back specials if your horse finishes second, so it’s always worth checking and comparing before placing your bet.&quot;}" data-sheets-userformat="{&quot;2&quot;:515,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;4&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:14281427},&quot;12&quot;:0}" data-sheets-textstyleruns="">The St James&#8217;s Palace Stakes odds comparison grid is simple and easy to use. All the runners are listed down the left, whilst each bookmaker is presented across the top. The odds box that crosses the horse and the bookmaker, is the odds that bookmaker is offering on that specific horse.
The odds that have a bold number indicate the best price available for that horse in the St James&#8217;s Palace Stakes. The odds boxes are coloured red and blue to indicate whether a horse is being supported or not. The red boxes show a drift in price, which means the odds are getting bigger as less punters are betting on that horse. In contrast, the blue box shows when the odds are contracting, indicating the horse is being supported in the betting.
Underneath the bookmaker logo, are the offers available for the St James&#8217;s Palace Stakes by that bookmaker. Some bookmakers offer more places for each way bets, or money back specials if your horse finishes second, so it’s always worth checking and comparing before placing your bet.

It is regarded that the winner of either the English, Irish or French 2,000 Guineas will follow up in this mile Group 1, with 12 horses since the turn of the Millenium having won a Guineas race before glory in this. However, that trend has taken a turn in its last four runnings and the respective winners that contested the St James's Palace on their next start all tasted comprehensive defeats. On those four occasions, Palace Pier (2020), Circus Maximus (2019), Without Parole (2018) and Barney Roy (2017) were all winning at Group 1 level for the first time. Despite that, the market has generally been in favour of well-fancied runners in the last ten years with only one winner, Circus Maximus, going off a double-figure price, and even then it was only at 10-1. Like many races at the royal meeting, Aidan O'Brien is the leading trainer with eight victories, but John Gosden - now in joint-training with his son Thady - has scooped two of the last three runnings and three this decade.

An open-looking St James's Palace Stakes. Poetic Flare is a major contender provided his bid for a Guineas treble hasn't left its mark, while Heron Stakes protagonists Mostahdaf and Highland Avenue are also firmly in the mix. Battleground and Thunder Moon remain of interest, Chindit is open to further progress on suitable ground and LUCKY VEGA has a bright chance provided the race pans out favourably. Narrow preference is for Lucky Vega, with Battleground second choice ahead of Mostahdaf.

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<col width="142" />
<col width="142" /></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Year&quot;}">Year</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Horse [Draw]&quot;}">Horse [Draw]</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Age&quot;}">Age</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Weight&quot;}">Weight</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;SP&quot;}">SP</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Trainer&quot;}">Trainer</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Jockey&quot;}">Jockey</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:2020}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/results/2/ascot/2020-06-20/758808"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/results/2/ascot/2020-06-20/758808" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2020</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Palace Pier [6]&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/2800244/palace-pier" data-sheets-hyperlinkruns="[null,0,&quot;https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/2800244/palace-pier&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:12}"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/2800244/palace-pier" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Palace Pier </a><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/2800244/palace-pier" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> [6]</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:3}">3</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;9-0&quot;}">9-0</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:44200}" data-sheets-numberformat="[null,5,&quot;d/m&quot;,1]">4/1</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;John Gosden&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/trainer/4336/john-gosden"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/trainer/4336/john-gosden" target="_blank" rel="noopener">John Gosden</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Frankie Dettori&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/jockey/2277/frankie-dettori"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/jockey/2277/frankie-dettori" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Frankie Dettori</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:2019}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/results/2/ascot/2019-06-18/727806"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/results/2/ascot/2019-06-18/727806" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2019</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Circus Maximus [1]&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/1748791/circus-maximus" data-sheets-hyperlinkruns="[null,0,&quot;https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/1748791/circus-maximus&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:15}"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/1748791/circus-maximus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Circus Maximus </a><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/1748791/circus-maximus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> [1]</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:3}">3</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;9-0&quot;}">9-0</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:44206}" data-sheets-numberformat="[null,5,&quot;d/m&quot;,1]">10/1</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;A P O'Brien&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/trainer/7978/a-p-obrien"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/trainer/7978/a-p-obrien" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A P O&#8217;Brien</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Ryan Moore&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/jockey/79202/ryan-moore"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/jockey/79202/ryan-moore" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ryan Moore</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:2018}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/results/2/ascot/2018-06-19/698672"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/results/2/ascot/2018-06-19/698672" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2018</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Without Parole [2]&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/1745410/without-parole" data-sheets-hyperlinkruns="[null,0,&quot;https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/1745410/without-parole&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:15}"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/1745410/without-parole" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Without Parole </a><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/1745410/without-parole" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> [2]</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:3}">3</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;9-0&quot;}">9-0</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;9/4F&quot;}">9/4F</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;John Gosden&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/trainer/4336/john-gosden"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/trainer/4336/john-gosden" target="_blank" rel="noopener">John Gosden</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Frankie Dettori&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/jockey/2277/frankie-dettori"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/jockey/2277/frankie-dettori" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Frankie Dettori</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:2017}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/results/2/ascot/2017-06-20/672876"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/results/2/ascot/2017-06-20/672876" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2017</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Barney Roy [4]&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/964562/barney-roy" data-sheets-hyperlinkruns="[null,0,&quot;https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/964562/barney-roy&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:11}"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/964562/barney-roy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Barney Roy </a><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/964562/barney-roy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> [4]</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:3}">3</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;9-0&quot;}">9-0</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:44232}" data-sheets-numberformat="[null,5,&quot;d/m&quot;,1]">5/2</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Richard Hannon&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/trainer/28787/richard-hannon"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/trainer/28787/richard-hannon" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Richard Hannon</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;James Doyle&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/jockey/6901/james-doyle"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/jockey/6901/james-doyle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">James Doyle</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:2016}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/results/2/ascot/2016-06-14/645650"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/results/2/ascot/2016-06-14/645650" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2016</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Galileo Gold [7]&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/890421/galileo-gold" data-sheets-hyperlinkruns="[null,0,&quot;https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/890421/galileo-gold&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:13}"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/890421/galileo-gold" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Galileo Gold </a><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/890421/galileo-gold" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> [7]</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:3}">3</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;9-0&quot;}">9-0</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:44202}" data-sheets-numberformat="[null,5,&quot;d/m&quot;,1]">6/1</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Hugo Palmer&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/trainer/25009/hugo-palmer"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/trainer/25009/hugo-palmer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hugo Palmer</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Frankie Dettori&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/jockey/2277/frankie-dettori"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/jockey/2277/frankie-dettori" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Frankie Dettori</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:2015}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/results/2/ascot/2015-06-16/622970"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/results/2/ascot/2015-06-16/622970" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2015</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Gleneagles [5]&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/859275/gleneagles" data-sheets-hyperlinkruns="[null,0,&quot;https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/859275/gleneagles&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:11}"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/859275/gleneagles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gleneagles </a><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/859275/gleneagles" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> [5]</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:3}">3</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;9-0&quot;}">9-0</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;8/15F&quot;}">8/15F</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;A P O'Brien&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/trainer/7978/a-p-obrien"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/trainer/7978/a-p-obrien" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A P O&#8217;Brien</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Ryan Moore&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/jockey/79202/ryan-moore"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/jockey/79202/ryan-moore" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ryan Moore</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:2014}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/results/2/ascot/2014-06-17/599412"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/results/2/ascot/2014-06-17/599412" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2014</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Kingman [7]&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/840020/kingman" data-sheets-hyperlinkruns="[null,0,&quot;https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/840020/kingman&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:8}"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/840020/kingman" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kingman </a><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/840020/kingman" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> [7]</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:3}">3</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;9-0&quot;}">9-0</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;8/11F&quot;}">8/11F</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;John Gosden&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/trainer/4336/john-gosden"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/trainer/4336/john-gosden" target="_blank" rel="noopener">John Gosden</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;James Doyle&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/jockey/6901/james-doyle"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/jockey/6901/james-doyle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">James Doyle</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:2013}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/results/2/ascot/2013-06-18/576509"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/results/2/ascot/2013-06-18/576509" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2013</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Dawn Approach [5]&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/806738/dawn-approach" data-sheets-hyperlinkruns="[null,0,&quot;https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/806738/dawn-approach&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:14}"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/806738/dawn-approach" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dawn Approach </a><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/806738/dawn-approach" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> [5]</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:3}">3</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;9-0&quot;}">9-0</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;5/4F&quot;}">5/4F</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;J S Bolger&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/trainer/995/j-s-bolger"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/trainer/995/j-s-bolger" target="_blank" rel="noopener">J S Bolger</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Kevin Manning&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/jockey/2102/kevin-manning"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/jockey/2102/kevin-manning" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kevin Manning</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:2012}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/results/2/ascot/2012-06-19/552342"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/results/2/ascot/2012-06-19/552342" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2012</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Most Improved [15]&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/789745/most-improved" data-sheets-hyperlinkruns="[null,0,&quot;https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/789745/most-improved&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:14}"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/789745/most-improved" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Most Improved </a><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/789745/most-improved" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> [15]</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:3}">3</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;9-0&quot;}">9-0</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:44205}" data-sheets-numberformat="[null,5,&quot;d/m&quot;,1]">9/1</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Brian Meehan&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/trainer/7221/brian-meehan"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/trainer/7221/brian-meehan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brian Meehan</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Kieren Fallon&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/jockey/2517/kieren-fallon"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/jockey/2517/kieren-fallon" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kieren Fallon</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:2011}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/results/2/ascot/2011-06-14/528248"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/results/2/ascot/2011-06-14/528248" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2011</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Frankel [5]&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/763453/frankel" data-sheets-hyperlinkruns="[null,0,&quot;https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/763453/frankel&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:8}"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/763453/frankel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Frankel </a><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/763453/frankel" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> [5]</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:3,&quot;3&quot;:3}">3</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;9-0&quot;}">9-0</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;30/100F&quot;}">30/100F</td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Sir Henry Cecil&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/trainer/610/sir-henry-cecil"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/trainer/610/sir-henry-cecil" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sir Henry Cecil</a></td>
<td data-sheets-value="{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Tom Queally&quot;}" data-sheets-hyperlink="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/jockey/78935/tom-queally"><a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.racingpost.com/profile/jockey/78935/tom-queally" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tom Queally</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Latest odds for the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot 2021.

St James’s Palace Stakes Odds

<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Rated within 7lb of RPR top rated, 8/10 (five were top-rated)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">From the first three in the market, 8/10  </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Had won or placed in a Group 1, 7/10</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Adjusted RPR of at least 130, 7/10</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Had finished in the first three in a 2,000 Guineas, 6/10</li>
</ul>
Other factors
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Winners who had run in a Guineas finished 112112 at Newmarket and 112 at the Curragh. The last winner to run in the French Guineas was Excellent Art, who finished fourth at Longchamp in 2007.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Three winners had run in the British and Irish Guineas, with all making the frame in both.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Without Parole in 2018 and Palace Pier last year (both trained by John Gosden) are the only two winners not to have run in a Group 1 that season since Shavian in 1990.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Aidan O’Brien has won eight of the last 21 runnings. </li>
</ul>

St James’s Palace Stakes tips from our racing experts for the 16:20 race on the opening day of Royal Ascot 2021.

St James’s Palace Stakes Tips

St James’s Palace Stakes Tips and Predictions

Racing Post experts predict the likely big players and identify the each way value in the St James’s Palace Stakes, as well as analysing the trends and predicting the winner.

St James's Palace Stakes

Named after the first dual winner of this race, the Wokingham is a hugely competitive heritage handicap which regularly sets off with a maximum field of 28 horses, which has helped cause several upsets over the years. In the last decade there have been two 33-1 winners and a 25-1 winner, with Cape Byron (2019) the only favourite to emerge victorious in this 6f sprint. Four or five-year-olds drawn in stall ten or above tend to fare best, but the David O’Meara-trained Out Do bucked several trends in 2017 when he won as an eight-year-old from stall one. No trainer or jockey has won this more than three times with Johnny Murtagh the most successful active rider, but no trainer has won this more than once since the turn of the century.

The most fascinating runner of all is King's Lynn if he can approach the dynamic 5f form he has been showing, notably when hampered in the King's Stand on Tuesday. He has a big weights chance but this is such a different type of race that it could be his stablemate Chil Chil who is better equipped, having absolutely slaughtered her rivals in a Newmarket handicap this spring. She may need that fast ground, however, and with the uncertain weather preference is for FRESH, a powerful finisher who is going the right way and looks sure to be suited by a very strongly run race. Pendleton just lost out to him here in April and, with a subsequent 5f win under his belt, he can also go well though it remains to be seen which is his best sprint trip. Chiefofchiefs is also respected along with Tis Marvellous and Gulliver whose form here cannot be disputed. The much-improved Rohaan also has to be considered.

The permanent expansion of Royal Ascot to seven races per day means four of the additional races from 2020 have been retained, and has allowed for the creation of this brand new race for 2021. This 0-105 handicap will be run over a mile on the round course and is only for fillies and mares aged four and above.

She didn't give her running last time but MOSTLY appeared to have a bit left in the tank when quickening to win a 1m AW handicap on her seasonal debut in March and, given the stamina in her pedigree, there is hope that today's stiffer test at this trip can unlock significant further improvement. She gets the verdict ahead of Stunning Beauty, who bounced back to form with a win this month and is still lightly raced. Lights On and Dreamloper are others to consider, having fought out a tight finish on the straight 1m here last month.

It is fair to say that trainers typically associated with the jumps have dominated this race in its recent history, and it can be argued that all of the last ten runnings have gone to trainers widely associated in that sphere. Willie Mullins has extended his jumps prowess to the Flat specifically in this stamina test and shares the winningmost record alongside Martin Pipe with four victories (Simenon 2012, Clondaw Warrior 2015, Thomas Hobson 2017, Lagostovegas 2018). He has also contributed to six Irish victories in that time period with Charles Byrnes (2014) and Jarlath Fahey (2016) also replicating him. Do not be surprised if the winning trainer also follows up in the similar staying contest, the Queen Alexandra Stakes, later in the week too. Mullins in 2012 and last year's winning trainer Alan King - successful with Coeur De Lion - both scooped this and the meeting finale. It has not been the luckiest race for punters however, with only two favourites obliging in that ten-year period with the last three winners coming at double-figure odds.

Willie Mullins has been the first person to turn to in this race in recent years, usually with his first string ridden by Ryan Moore, so M C Muldoon may edge Rayapour among the trainer's three runners this time round. A batch of strong candidates ran in the Chester Cup and Chester Plate, including Coeur De Lion who bids for a repeat Ascot Stakes win. Elysian Flame boosted his reputation in the Plate, while Postileo would probably have got the vote today but for his run on heavy ground since. However, another chance is given to the Chester Cup fifth TRUMPET MAN who got rather messed around in the closing stages and still has more to offer with this sort of test. He gets the vote ahead of Coeur De Lion and Postileo, although the Mullins squad is not at all comfortably dismissed and Golden Rules is a most intriguing dark horse for John Gosden and Frankie Dettori.

Since being renamed in 1999, this 0-105 Class 2 handicap had been exclusively won by four or five-year-olds until Scarlet Dragon shocked the field at odds of 33-1 last year at the age of seven to give Holly Doyle her first Royal Ascot winner, and this 1m4f contest takes on extra poignancy this year after the death of Prince Philip. The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Arab Spring carried top weight to victory in 2014, but that is the only time that feat has been achieved in the last decade. Punters are advised to keep note of any Stoute or Mark Johnston-trained runners as they have scooped this prize ten times between them in the last 22 runnings. It also pays to stick with horses in form with Baghdad (2019), Dash Of Spice (2018), Kinema (2016), Arab Dawn (2014), Camborne (2012 and Fox Hunt (2011) all having won last time out.

No horse drawn in single figures has won this race in the last ten years. Stylish last-time-out winners Aaddeey and QUICKTHORN headed the early betting this week and the vote goes to Quickthorn who registered his deeply impressive win on good to soft and probably has a bit less to prove if the rain has come in large quantities. Irish challenger Mirann, unlucky last time, is second on the list ahead of the redoubtable Zabeel Champion who is on a four-timer. Last year's winner Scarlet Dragon will need the breaks again but he could put up another bold show, as could the lightly raced hat-trick seeker Valyrian Steel and mud-loving Win O'Clock.

The speediest colts of the two-year-old generation will be on show here so once again expect trainers Wesley Ward and Aidan O’Brien to be among the leading contenders. There have been no winning favourites of this Group 2 for two-year-olds in the last decade, although eight of the ten have still returned at single-figure prices. Furthermore, seven of the last ten winners were making just their second start, although only two did not already have a 1 in their form line. The Lir Jet emulated his sire Prince Of Lir when winning this last year to earn himself a spot in the Juvenile Turf Sprint at the Breeders’ Cup in the United States later in the year, which winners of the Norfolk have been automatically granted since 2018.

In what looks an open renewal of this Group 2, the suggestion is CADAMOSTO, who came away nicely on his Dundalk debut in April and can provide Aidan O'Brien with a third win in this since 2015. Wesley Ward is another who has twice tasted success in this in recent years so his pair Lucci (second on the list) and Nakatomi, who both won on debut in the USA, merit plenty of respect. This a big jump in class for Perfect Power but he was impressive at Hamilton last week and is one who could go well at likely bigger odds.

This Group 3 for two-year-old fillies has a habit of throwing up high-class sorts throughout the field with 1,000 Guineas winner Mother Earth placing third last year and the Jessica Harrington-trained Alpha Centauri going on to win four straight Group 1s as a three-year-old after finishing second in 2017. It ensures day four of Royal Ascot begins with a tantalising glance into the future, and although choosing from a large field of unexposed fillies can be tricky, some clues can be gleaned from the form book with the last nine winners having all won at least their previous start before taking up their engagement here with three having arrived unbeaten from two starts. Former footballer-turned racehorse trainer Mick Channon holds the record for most wins in the race with three, while big-hitters Aidan O’Brien and John Gosden have only produced one winner apiece since the race was established in 2002.

This has the makings of a hot Albany with an array of unexposed winners locking horns, but the debut win of HELLO YOU takes some beating. It may have been only Wolverhampton but that venue has produced many a budding star down the years and she fairly whistled home in a good time. Prettiest wasn't half as impressive at Navan but winning debutantes from her yard usually turn out to be smart and she's bred to be something special. Flotus looked a prospect in turning some heads at Goodwood and Frankie rode a Norfolk winner for the yard two seasons ago, while Cachet and Sandrine can give their supporters some excitement.

Newmarket trainer Charlie Fellowes completed an unlikely double in the race in the last two years with Thanks Be and Onassis both returning at odds of 33-1, but that has seemed to coincide with a drop in quality since its Listed status was taken away as the pair’s winning RPRs of 92 and 89 were markedly down on the 100-plus performances of the previous eight winners. Prior to that, four out of seven runnings had seen the favourite return to the winner’s enclosure in this mile handicap for three-year-old fillies. Jockeys Hayley Turner, Jamie Spencer and Frankie Dettori have all won the race back-to-back in the last six runnings.

Having won by eight and a half lengths at Sandown two starts ago, URBAN VIOLET may not be stopped by today's 10lb higher mark and her subsequent disappointing run there probably came too soon, just seven days later. Mamba Wamba is exposed compared to the rest of these but her associated toughness is a positive, as could be the step up to 1m, and she is second choice. The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Samoot is another who could be suited by this new distance and she has accumulated a couple of wins this year despite still looking a work in progress. Glesga Gal has thrived in the blinkers and is also respected, along with C&D winner Teodolina, but there are loads of other dangers to consider as well, such as the unexposed fillies Camdeboo, Belief, Beheld, Riknnah and Companionship.

The Britannia is one of the key heritage handicaps in the racing calendar and is only open to three-year-old colts and geldings. First run in 1928, the Britannia is run over the same course and distance as Wednesday’s Royal Hunt Cup. War Envoy (2015) is the only top weight to have won in the last decade with six of the last ten winners carrying a weight between 8st 8lb and 8st 13lb. Upsets have become common since the last time a favourite obliged (Fast Or Free, 2012) with Beauty Flame winning at 20-1 (2013), Bless Him at 25-1 (2017) and Biometric biggest of all at 28-1 (2019) for trainer Ralph Beckett. Jamie Spencer triumphed in successive years in 2016 and 2017, but no trainer has won this back-to-back since John Gosden in 2001.


This presents the typical Britannia conundrum with potential Group horses lurking within the shadows. The suggestion is MITHRAS, who appeared to be going places before failing to do himself justice at Listed level last time and should thrive in this very different environment. John and Thady Gosden also saddle Emperor Spirit, for whom Ripon last time did not go to plan and whose current mark may underestimate his ability. Jamie Spencer will no doubt play it late aboard Air To Air and he's definite shortlist material, while the Sir Mark Prescott factor heightens interest in Royal Pleasure. At greater odds, Summa Peto could also have some say.

The Chesham has become a breeding ground for the year’s best juveniles with Pinatubo successful here on his way to being named Europe’s top-rated two-year-old in 2019. 
The race can be an early pointer towards the following season’s Classics with 2016 winner Churchill following up in the 2,000 Guineas, while 2011 winner Maybe and last year’s victor Battleground were both sent off as favourite for the 1,000 Guineas and 2,000 Guineas respectively. Maybe and September (2017) are the only fillies to have won the race in the last decade and both were trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, who have combined on three of the last five winners of the 7f Listed contest. Since Sunny Way I’s 14-1 success in 2014, favourites have obliged in three of the subsequent runnings.

A typical Chesham with several very promising types on show. POINT LONSDALE has the strongest credentials and looks the one to beat. New Science, Great Max, Sweeping and Reach For The Moon are also worthy of respect, in that order of preference. Masekela is interesting but he would be more appealing if the ground softens.

This first Group race of the day is run over 7f and is often the next port of call for early-season Classic contenders with recent winners Expert Eye (2018), Le Brivido (2017) and Ribchester (2016) all appearing after attempts at various Guineas. This Group 3 can act as a stepping stone to bigger targets as well with Mustajeeb (2014) and Expert Eye both recording RPRs in excess of 120 on their way to deeper waters. Winners at longer odds are not unheard of with the Aidan O’Brien-trained Ishvana (20-1) and the Richard Fahey-trained Space Traveller (25-1) both striking in the last decade. The aforementioned Ishvana is the only filly to appear on the list of winners in the last ten years after she triumphed in 2012, the last of O’Brien’s three wins in the race.

Seven of the last nine Jersey Stakes winners had contested a Guineas of some description and Mutasaabeq, who raced freely at Newmarket when well fancied, and Naval Crown, who finished three places ahead of him at 50-1, are likely contenders in an open renewal. But the vote goes to the highly progressive CREATIVE FORCE, who seems versatile in terms of the ground and could still have some untapped potential over this longer distance. Khartoum, Tactical and Vadream are others to consider, while the exciting, once-raced Storm Damage could be anything and needs taking very seriously too.

This 0-105 handicap for three-year-olds is run over 1m2f and has been moved to the penultimate slot of the meeting after debuting on day three last year. The 20-1 shot Highland Chief was successful that day for Paul and Oliver Cole despite carrying at least 4lb more than any of his other 13 rivals, and his win was a landmark one for Cole snr who became the first trainer to have a Royal Ascot winner in six different decades. His first success came in 1977, while in contrast Highland Chief was ridden by Rossa Ryan, who was having his first winner at the royal meeting. The duo just pipped the Alan King-trained Tritonic, who went on to become one of Britain’s top-rated juvenile hurdlers.

Mark Johnston's KING FRANKEL can be described as setting the standard, as he has already finished second in two major 1m2f handicaps, and the manner in which he so nearly grabbed victory at Epsom last time suggested he can raise his game again. Visualisation has shown his mettle in Irish 1m handicaps in the mud, with a good chance that he can run just as well over this longer trip. However, the field also includes plenty of lightly raced types who bring plenty of promise. Alfaadhel and Fantastic Fox are high up that list, while Glentaneous could be a very big improver now that he moves up from 1m and he may be the selection's chief threat. Foxes Tales is better than he showed at Chester and Seasett could be a major player if he gets in.

The draw is again crucial for this second 5f sprint of the day with six of the last ten winners coming from between stalls 20 and 28. Gauging the form of these unexposed two-year-olds can be a tricky puzzle to solve, although a starting point is to look for those who have won before with only two of the last ten winners arriving at Ascot as maidens. Tactical’s victory last year for the Queen brought to an end a run of five straight losing favourites and gave trainer Anrdew Balding and jockey James Doyle first wins in the race. Aidan O’Brien and Wesley Ward have the best records with two wins apiece since 2009.

The hat-trick-seekers Tipperary Sunset and Dig Two are key form contenders, along with Woodcote runner-up Flaming Rib who looks interesting on his drop back in trip. Aidan O'Brien's Amalfi Coast is respected, while Richard Hannon's Armor recorded a good first RPR when scoring at Doncaster and has plenty of scope for progress on his second start. However, there are also two fascinating US contenders in the line-up in Wesley Ward's pair Golden Bell and RUTHIN, and the vote goes to the latter. She looked inexperienced on turf at Keeneland in April but still managed to win by 6l under a positive ride and that was a striking debut.

Another race just for three-year-olds, this 1m4f handicap provided Lambourn-based trainer Owen Burrows with a first Royal Ascot victory last year with Hukum, who progressed to win in a Group 3 at Goodwood next time out. The Michael Owen-owned Brown Panther’s triumph in 2011 also opened the doors to bigger and better options, but he is one of just two favourites to have won the race in the last decade. Fennell Bay won with a light weight off a mark of 85 in 2012, but it generally pays off to follow 90-rated horses with seven of the last ten winners rated between 90 and 95. Mark Johnston’s six victories in this race is a record and he last won with Baghdad in 2018.

 It will be fascinating to see how strong Sir Lamorak is in the market, after he temporarily had a high profile for the Derby when due to run in the Chester Vase. Nagano could be a big improver but there's a question of whether he is street-wise enough to overcome possible trouble in running from an inside stall. Tashkhan, drawn 1, has stacks of potential at the other end of the weights. SURREY GOLD, contrastingly, is drawn very wide and that has often proved an advantage in this race. With rain forecast for Wednesday night, he is selected to follow up his stylish win at Newbury, with Sir Lamorak the most likely danger. Surefire and Soapy Stevens are others to note.

Since being promoted to Group 3 status in 2011, Aidan O’Brien is the only trainer to have won multiple runnings of this 1m2f contest, and they have both occurred in the last three years. Russian Emperor (2020) and Hunting Horn (2018) both were ridden to victory by Ryan Moore, who can boast of further victories on Cannock Chase (2014) and Glass Harmonium (2009) on his CV. This race is generally fought between three-year-old colts not quite at the level to compete in the Classics, although Benabtl did win here in 2017 after finishing fifth in that year’s Derby. Major upsets are rare with Pisco Sour’s 20-1 win in 2011 the last time the race was won at double-figure prices with three winning favourites since then.

Having cruised to victory in a four-runner Listed race at Newmarket last month, MOHAAFETH can make it four out of four for the season before going on to bigger things. Secret Protector was well beaten in second that day but didn't appear to be at his best, having previously posted a far more promising Listed second at the same venue. He is second choice, with stablemate One Ruler, Ballydoyle's Roman Empire and the Roger Varian-trained Movin Time others who could go well.

After a six-year hiatus, this handicap returned to the Royal Ascot schedule last year and closes out the day three action in 2021. Run over 7f, the race’s comeback was won by Motakhayyel last year for Richard Hannon, which continued the trend of a different trainer winning every running since its initial inception in 2002. Eight of the contest’s 14 winners have been aged either four or five, but three-year-old Treadwell (2010) and eight-year-old Uhoomagoo (2006) show that age is no barrier to success. The Buckingham Palace has traditionally been fiendishly difficult for punters and, since 2010, no winner has been priced lower than 12-1 with an average SP of 18.7-1 during that time. No favourite has managed better than fourth in that time.

Aldaary has to be respected after a highly impressive win against his own age group here in May and Lord Campari is also right up the list at this more realistic level. The more seasoned DANYAH looks interesting back at 7f though as a strongly run race at this trip could be ideal after two solid form efforts in good 1m handicaps. There are some slight queries about the tried and trusted course specialists Blue Mist, Raising Sand and Documenting but in-form Boardman, Persuasion and Karibana have big runs in them.

The great Sir Henry Cecil is the leading trainer in this Group 2 run over 1m6f, but Aidan O’Brien could match that tally this year after landing five of the last eight runnings. The market has been a telling indicator with Sword Fighter’s 33-1 victory in 2016 the only time in the last ten years a winner has struck struck at odds of larger than 6-1. The race is exclusively for three-year-olds and can give some pointers toward the St Leger, the year’s final Classic in September. Kew Gardens won in 2018 before following up at Doncaster, while Harbour Law finished second to Sword Fighter in 2016 before reversing the form three months later. Santiago (2020) and Aloft (2015) are the only horses to triumph when making their seasonal reappearance, while Stradivarius recorded the first of his four Royal Ascot victories when landing this in 2017.

Mark Johnston and Aidan O'Brien have both won this race on seven occasions but with Johnston not having added to his tally since 2014, during which time O'Brien has won it four times. Dancing King is a serious player for the former, with Wordsworth looking tailormade for the race and probably just ahead of Arturo Toscanini among the Ballydoyle runners. However, watch out also for Jessica Harrington's TAIPAN, who could be a revelation now that he moves up from 1m2f, and he gets the vote in front of Wordsworth. Ruling, Kemari and Stowell also demand a mention.

Trends can be hard to compare on a race which changed from a handicap to Listed status in 2018, but that has not impacted winningmost trainer John Gosden's fine record in the race with four victories, including with Monarchs Glen in 2018. Remarkably, since switching to a conventional Pattern race, no favourite has obliged. However, those winners have still been well supported and returned at odds of 8-1, 5-1 and 8-1 respectively. This race has also been a lynchpin in seeing horses return to their best. The last five winners had all tasted heavy defeats on their previous start with Mahsoob (2015) the last to have followed up in the race following a win previously. Do not be surprised if this race throws up a potential high-class performer either. Adeyybb was an impressive winner of the race in 2018 and has since won four Group 1s - three in Australia as well as landing the course-and-distance Champion Stakes last October.

The Joseph O'Brien-trained PATRICK SARSFIELD is selected to take full advantage of escaping a penalty for last summer's Leopardstown Group 3 success. His close, strong-travelling second in a Curragh Listed event 13 days ago suggests he's returned in good form and he's preferred to Felix, who transferred all of this year's AW improvement to turf when third to Lord North in a Meydan Group 1 in March. Blue Cup, so impressive in an Epsom handicap last time, and Windsor Listed scorer Solid Stone complete the shortlist.

Only one running of this 1m6f handicap has taken place, but if that contest will be anything to go by, this year's running has the potential to offer up a Group-race performer in time. Fujaira Prince defied a near year absence from the 2019 royal meeting to win in stylish fashion, recording a Racing Post Rating of 112 in the process. He subsequently went on to win the prestigious Ebor at York, suggesting some of the top staying handicappers could be on course to take on this race. It may be the type for rapidly progressive Pattern performer too. Fujaira Prince improved 14lb through the season, winning the Ebor before being placed in both the Irish St Leger and Long Distance Cup on Champions Day later in the campaign. He got favourite backers off to a flying start in the inaugural running, too, obliging at odds of 3-1 and recording a winning time of 4:46.50.


The inaugural running of this event last year went to an unexposed 6yo and Sleeping Lion has a similar profile, in his case having scored on his debut for Roger Charlton at Kempton in April. With a solid course record he should give a good account of himself. Brilliant Light, Throne Hall and Arthurian Fable are others with strong each-way claims but the vote goes to GLOBAL STORM (nap), who ran so well at this meeting last year and seemed very well suited by stepping up to 1m6f when winning at Newmarket. The fly in the ointment is smart hurdler Saldier, who is hard to weigh up after an easy Listowel success but very dangerous on just his second Flat outing for his powerful connections.

The second day of the royal meeting gets off to a flyer courtesy of this 5f sprint for two-year-old fillies. Look out for any runners taken over by leading US trainer Wesley Ward, who has won this Group 2 three times in the last six years with Acapulco (2015), Lady Aurelia (2016) and Campanelle (2020) and had the runner-up on three more occasions (2013, 2017 and 2019), while Frankie Dettori, clear as the most successful active jockey at Royal Ascot, has partnered three of the last five winners. Lady Aurelia recorded a Racing Post Rating of 123 for her triumph in 2016 before following up in the King’s Stand Stakes the following year, but that performance may have been an outlier with an average RPR of 106 required in the other nine runnings. The race regularly attracts fields in excess of 20 runners and a high draw can prove favourable, with only three of the last ten winners coming from single-figure stalls. The contest has also proved a mixed one for favourite backers, with only three obliging in the last ten years with 18-1, 20-1 and 25-1 winners in that time.

Wesley Ward has won four runnings of this Group 2 event since 2009 and in the speedy Belmont Park winner Twilight Gleaming he has another very lively contender. Aidan O'Brien, on the other hand, has yet to train a Queen Mary winner, but in the imposing and blue-blooded YET he surely has a good opportunity to put that right. The selection made a deep impression when edging out Orinoco River at Dundalk. In a strongly contested renewal, Artos, Desert Dreamer, Get Ahead and Nymphadora are all respected but the best each-way claims may be held by Quick Suzy who boasts a useful level of form and may be suited by dropping back to 5f.

The second race of the royal meeting tends to go the way of one of the hyped early season juveniles with seven winners since 2011 all obliging at single-figure odds - five of those were well-supported favourites too. The stat which significantly bucks that trend is from last year's running where Nando Parrado became the highest-priced winner at Royal Ascot when obliging at 150-1 last year. Aidan O'Brien typically fires his best juveniles at this and is the race's leading trainer with nine wins, six of those - Fasliyev, Landseer, Henrythenavigator, Power, War Command and Caravaggio - went on to win one or more Group 1s. Two of those went on to Classic glory the following campaign, while other notable winners such as Dawn Approach and Canford Cliffs did likewise too. It typically takes a horse with a Racing Post Rating between 110 and 116 to win the Coventry Stakes in the last ten years with three of those coming outside of that rating bracket, including in the last two years where RPRs of 108 and 106 were registered.

There was a 150-1 shock in this 12 months ago but it usually pays to trust the market principals and 12 of the last 13 winners had won the time before. Although Kaufymaker commands the utmost respect when held in such high regard by Wesley Ward, it does go against the grain to side with a filly when the last successful one was in 1916. There should be a big effort in EBRO RIVER, who must be some talent to win in the manner he did at Sandown, and it will be intriguing to see what he might deliver if smothered up for longer in this bigger field. The Acropolis looked the part at Listowel and is Aidan O'Brien's chosen one of four entries in his bid for a tenth Coventry, while Gisburn and Masseto also need taking seriously.

A magnificent week’s racing concludes with the longest contest of the meeting, which given its extreme trip of 2m6f can often attract a varied field and has been plundered by many of jump racing’s leading trainers over the years. In 2009, Nicky Henderson trained Caracciola to become the oldest horse to win at Royal Ascot in modern times aged 12, while leading Irish trainers Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott have both won here twice since 2012, with Mullins also responsible for four beaten favourites. Unlike almost every other race during the week, older horses are more favoured here, and no four-year-old has triumphed since 2008 with Simenon (2012) the only winning five-year-old in that time. No winner has returned at odds bigger  than 12-1 in the last decade, although only two of those have been favourites.

Royal Ascot closes with the Flat season's longest race. Who Dares Wins and The Grand Visir were first and second favourites when dominating 12 months ago and this is a way deeper renewal. Stratum is a battle-hardened old pro with crystal-clear claims at the weights, Morando should go close if seeing out the trip and not many Chester Cups are won with the authority that Falcon Eight took his last month. However, the prospect of softening ground brings STAG HORN strongly into the equation. Archie Watson's contender made giant strides as a raw 3yo stayer last season and, considering the fast surface, he ran as well as he was entitled to behind Stradivarius in his comeback race here.

Closing out day four is the second running of this three-year-olds-only handicap which will be over and done with in a flash over a quick 5f. North Yorkshire trainer Tim Easterby took the inaugural race with the top-class Art Power last year, who easily stretched away from the field and recorded an impressive RPR of 116 in the process. Art Power ranked among the most inexperienced horses in the race with only three runs to his name prior to Ascot, but that perhaps masked his true ability and it could be that there is another unexposed potential Group horse lurking among the field this year.

The prospect of thunderstorms ahead of racing, and the subsequent effect on the ground, adds further uncertainty to a tricky puzzle. It is slightly surprising that Warrior Brave isn't a clear favourite after last weekend's improved showing at Sandown and he is greatly respected, for all that slow ground would ask a new question of him. Noorban would have been very high on the list on fast ground but, with conditions set to change, it may pay to look elsewhere. Unexposed pair Equality and Boomshalaa will rightly have their supporters but the three who appeal most are Mo Celita, Significantly and DREAM COMPOSER. Significantly's Newmarket second offers plenty of hope but Dream Composer is thriving, won't mind the ground changing and leaves the impression that a well-run race at this trip could produce another surge of improvement. There is plenty of speed drawn middle to high and his talented apprentice may be able to produce him with a strong late burst.

A host of dual winners have won the 5f Group 1 with 12 winning multiple runnings, with the most recent coming courtesy of star sprinter Blue Point (2018, 2019). However, it is unlikely to be the case this year with Battaash a significant doubt to defend his title at this stage. Favourite backers have also endured a torrid time with Battaash last year being the first favourite to win the race since 2009. While international trainers outside of Britain and Ireland have a strong record on paper since the turn of the century with nine successes, only two of those have come since 2010 with Lady Aurelia the last one to oblige for US trainer Wesley Ward in 2017. Fillies and mares have also struggled since 2000 with only four winners from that sex, which would work against Breeders' Cup heroine Glass Slippers' chances. She finished fifth last year, but Sole Power and Battaash had tasted defeats in the race previously before winning the King's Stand.

This should be run at a tremendous pace with several fast front-runners in the field. The horse with the best form is again Battaash who wasn't seriously troubled to win this last year but is returning from an injury and has been in a race against time to get here. It will be fascinating to see what Winter Power comes up with on this much stiffer track than when so impressive at York but the free-racing OXTED, who beat some big names over 6f last summer, is an interesting contender back on a track that suits as he has shaped as though he will be fully effective at 5f and the return to fast ground is in his favour. Liberty Beach, third in this race last year, has fair claims again, along with the US-trained Extravagant Kid.

The last of three Group 2s which kicks off Wednesday’s card, the Duke Of Cambridge has witnessed some high-class fillies and mares since its inception in 2004. Although open to four-year-olds and upwards, the Marco Botti-trained Aljazzi is the only five-year-old to have been successful in the last ten years with the younger generation taking the vast majority of the honours. Three of the last ten winners had been successful at Group level as a three-year-old, although none of those have been in the last five years with a clear pathway to success for progressive types. There have been as many double-figure priced winners (three) as there have been victorious favourites in the last decade, while John Gosden is the only trainer to have saddled multiple winners in that period.

Lady Bowthorpe holds leading claims on the back of her excellent second to Palace Pier in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. If there is a negative today it's the possible lack of a strong pace for this hold-up mare, and at the forecast prices it's worth siding with VALERIA MESSALINA instead. Her short-head second to One Master in the Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes at Glorious Goodwood last year is form that reads well in today's context and the soft to heavy ground excuses her reappearance defeat at the Curragh. Agincourt was second in this race last year and is next on the list, with the very lightly raced Double Or Bubble another interesting contender. Group 1 winner Champers Elysees needs to bounce back from two substandard efforts, while Queen Power impressed at York but the drop back to 1m may not be ideal for her.

Anyone eager to back an outsider is pointed in the direction of this heritage handicap run over a mile which has a habit of throwing up big-priced winners, perhaps unsurprising given the field regularly comprises upwards of 30 runners. There has been an average winning SP of 16.75-1 in the last ten years and 2020 winner Dark Angel became the lowest-priced of those when he struck at 15-2 for trainer Mark Johnston. The 19th century trainer James Jewitt remains the most successful in the race’s history, which indicates the wide breadth of competition on offer. Since Field Of Dream struck as a seven-year-old in 2014, five of the subsequent six runnings have all gone to four-year-olds.

It remains to be seen how the draw will pan out but MATTHEW FLINDERS (nap) gets the verdict and Oisin Murphy has options from stall 15. The selection should settle better than last time and remains the type to win a race of this nature. Second choice is Magical Morning, who ties in with Matthew Flinders on Doncaster form last September and is open to further progress. Finest Sound is short in the betting for good reason and he has to be feared, while Astro King and Haqeeqy are other obvious players. Inevitably, several others also have possibilities in a very hot handicap.

This Group 1 is the highlight of day two and often features the best middle-distance horses to have progressed from the Classic generation. The race has tended to favour those with proven form in Group 1s although the last three winners - Lord North, Crystal Ocean and Poet’s Ward - have bucked that trend by earning their first stripes at the highest level here. The top middle-distance fillies and mares can appear here to take on their male counterparts, but The Fugue (2014) is the only female to triumph in the last ten years with Magical and Treve both beaten favourites. There hasn’t been a dual winner of this race since 1995, which may count against last year’s winner and ante-post favourite Lord North, while So You Think’s 2012 victory as a six-year-old is the only time in the last 25 years that the winner has not been aged either four or five.

Lord North was imperious in this race last year and in the Dubai Turf in March, although he reportedly bled in the latter. He will be hard to beat if in that form but last season wasn't all plain sailing for him and he faces a top-quality rival today in LOVE, assuming she reappears in the form that saw her sweep all before her against her own sex last term. Armory, also trained by Aidan O'Brien, looks their most plausible threat, although My Oberon has improved this season and Audarya did so last year. There is a question over who will make the running, with Love arguably the most likely candidate after it did not work out for Sangarius on his latest outing.

The Ribblesdale provides an option for three-year-old fillies beaten in the Oaks and has been exclusively won by horses trained by either John Gosden or Aidan O’Brien in the last five years. Magic Wand (2018) and Coronet (2017) both won here after finishing fourth and fifth respectively in that year’s Oaks, while Frankly Darling made the trip in reverse last year when finishing third in the rearranged Oaks after winning this. Frankie Dettori holds the record for most wins in the Group 2 as a jockey with eight victories, while Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor would have the chance to become leading trainer if he sends any fillies here this year.

The Musidora form received a major boost when the winner Snowfall romped to victory in the Oaks, and NOON STAR is the selection having been a near-4l second at York. This blue-blooded filly is open to further improvement for Sir Michael Stoute, especially now upped to 1m4f. Divinely may have been second (albeit a distant one) in the Oaks granted a more favourable passage and Aidan O'Brien's sole representative is feared most. Like O'Brien, the Gosden stable has a fine recent record in this race and the very lightly raced Gloria Mundi is next on the list. Eshaada narrowly beat Frankie Dettori's mount at Newbury last time and is also respected.

This year’s running of the marathon 2m4f test of stamina could be one of the most monumental in the race’s history as Stradivarius aims to continue his stunning Royal Ascot record and land a fourth successive Ascot Gold Cup. The seven-year-old returned looking as good as ever in the Sagaro Stakes and another victory here would see the John and Thady Gosden-trained star emulate the achievement of top stayer Yeats, who is also the only horse older than six to have won the Ascot Gold Cup in the last 28 years having claimed his fourth and final crown aged eight. Frankie Dettori has been on board for each of Stradivarius’s Gold Cup successes and has eight total wins in the race, second only to Lester Piggott. A string of young pretenders are sure to be biting at the heels of the defending champion this year, but this Group 1 has been kind to favourites with only three outsiders winning in the last ten years and none at bigger than 12-1.

It's some buzz to watch Stradivarius and he is the thoroughly proven class act in this field but his superiority on current evidence is nothing like as big as his winning margin in this race last term and this promises to be a competitive renewal, with several rivals who are not so far off him on form and could take a step forward faced with this test for the first time. There is always the chance with him of trouble in running as well. Consequently, it may well prove better to cheer than to back him at the likely very short odds and an appealing each-way alternative is TWILIGHT PAYMENT. The Irish 8yo has been around the block even more times than Stradivarius but winning last year's Melbourne Cup reiterated what he can do over 2m and he's long looked a strong candidate for even further. Subjectivist, Trueshan and Spanish Mission are all major players, while the German-trained Rip Van Lips might just be a surprise package.

This Group 2 run over 1m4f is traditionally the next port of call for horses beaten at Epsom and used to be known as the Ascot Derby. Three of the last four favourites also participated in that Classic but only one, Japan (2019), justified the faith placed in them by punters. Despite saddling six favourites since 2012, Japan’s victory is also Aidan O’Brien’s only win here since 2004, and he has seen shorties Mogul, Adelaide and Astrology turned over in that period. Godolphin’s number-one jockey William Buick has an excellent record in the last decade with four wins, the most recent of which came with Old Persian in 2018, who went on to win the Great Voltigeur and the Dubai Sheema Classic before being retired.

The forecast rain is a major positive for BELLOCCIO, who beat a subsequent Group 1 runner-up when winning a Listed race on soft ground in France last November and hasn't had his ideal conditions in the Sandown Classic Trial or the Dante on his two runs this season. He is held in extremely high regard by David Menuisier, who saddled Wonderful Tonight to win a Group 1 here last October. If the ground isn't on the slow side of good then Tasman Bay could be the one to be on, as he's bumped into some classy types over 1m2f this year and promises to be suited by the step up to 1m4f. Alenquer beat the subsequent Derby winner Adayar at Sandown and is a strong contender, despite the runner-up finding a leap of improvement at Epsom, and the supplemented Ballydoyle runner The Mediterranean is also respected.

The newest of the royal meeting’s seven Group 1s, the Commonwealth Cup is exclusive to three-year-old colts and fillies and is home to some of the world’s top sprinters. The race has already built a rich history with champion sprinter Muhaarar ensuring the first running got off to a strong start in 2015 before the magnificent Caravaggio extended his unbeaten sequence to six and claimed his second Group 1 in 2017. Three of the six winners had graduated from the Coventry Stakes the previous year, although only Caravaggio was doing so as a winner with Golden Horde (2020) and Advertise (2019) both placing. Strong form as a juvenile is essential with five of the six winners having secured Group honours as a two-year-old. The Commonwealth Cup can also serve as an avenue for Guineas horses whose stamina was exposed at Newmarket, with Advertise dropping back in trip to secure the honours in 2019. No jockey or trainer has yet won multiple runnings.

Supremacy has a leading chance on ratings but he needs to bounce back from a very disappointing effort in the Commonwealth Cup Trial. CAMPANELLE is preferred, as she remains unbeaten over sprint distances and one of her wins came at this meeting last year. She still has very low mileage and should have plenty more to offer. Exciting French challenger Suesa oozed class on her latest outing and is feared most. Dragon Symbol, Jumby, Measure Of Magic and Diligent Harry (in that order) may prove best of the remainder.

Run over a mile, the second of day four’s Group 1s is typically host to some epic clashes between the year’s best three-year-old fillies. Winter (2017), Sky Lantern (2013), Ghanaati (2009), Attraction (2004) and Russian Rhythm (2003) have all completed the English 1,000 Guineas/Coronation Stakes double this century, while Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Alpha Centauri saw off Newmarket heroine Billesdon Brook in 2018. French trainers have a strong record in the race with Jean-Claude Rouget going back-to-back in 2015 and 2016, while Immortal Verse (2011) and Watch Me (2019) both won here after competing in the French 1,000 Guineas. Alpine Star’s victory last year saw him join Fallen For You as the only Coronation winners not to have raced in any of the English, Irish or French 1,000 Guineas and also completed a clean sweep of Royal Ascot’s Group 1s for jockey Frankie Dettori. Jessica Harrington has trained two of the last three winners and the current leading trainer is Sir Michael Stoute with four wins, although the last of those occurred in 2003.

Fillies' Mile winner PRETTY GORGEOUS may be the answer with her reappearance under her belt. She was a very solid performer last term and remains of strong interest. Second choice is 1,000 Guineas heroine Mother Earth, another big player on form. Her stablemate Empress Josephine also warrants respect having won the Irish 1,000 Guineas, while Primo Bacio has possibilities on the back of her impressive performance at York. Potapova and Snow Lantern are well down the pack on ratings but they have major potential and apt pedigrees. 

Favourites have a strong record in this Group 2 over 1m4f with five of the last ten runnings won by those at the top of the market including two at odds-on - Crystal Ocean (2018) and Await The Dawn (2011). If you’re after a trainer to follow then look no further than Sir Michael Stoute, who has won this race eight times since 2006 and 11 times in total. Although Harbinger was the last to complete the Hardwicke/King George double in 2010, many have gone close since with Crystal Ocean, Idaho (2017), Dartmouth (2016) and Telescope (2014) all finishing in the places on their return to Ascot a month later. Defoe’s 2019 victory as a five-year-old is the only time in the last 13 runnings a horse aged four has not won.

There should be more to come from HUKUM, who is taken to record a second Royal Ascot success. Ilaraab just keeps on winning and he is feared most, ahead of Highest Ground whose trainer has won this race 11 times. Broome has major claims if proving as effective back over 1m4f, while his stablemates Japan and Tiger Moth are also difficult to dismiss. A few others also have possibilities in a competitive Hardwicke.

The final Group 1 of the five-day extravaganza is this prestigious sprint over 6f which has been the setting for several iconic Royal Ascot moments over the last decade. The Charlie Appleby-trained Blue Point completed a unique double in 2019 when he won the Diamond Jubilee having also triumphed in the King’s Stand earlier in the week. The race is open to four-year-olds and above, and international challengers are common with Australian superstar Black Caviar famously travelling over in 2012 and maintaining her unbeaten record in dramatic fashion at odds of 1-6. Despite only two favourites coming home in front since then, the market has proven to be a reliable guide with five of the last seven winners priced no bigger than 9-2. Also expect a tight finish with no more than a neck separating the first two in each of the last five runnings.

The 7yo DREAM OF DREAMS has gone very close in the last two runnings and can land this illustrious prize at the third attempt, having broken his Group 1 duck in the Sprint Cup at Haydock last September. Starman and Nahaarr fought out a tight finish to the Duke Of York Stakes last month and are the likely dangers, with the winner Starman narrowly feared most provided conditions aren't too testing. Ventura Rebel was fifth on his reappearance in that York race but could be the best each-way play today, as he likes it here and remains unexposed in the cheekpieces. The return to Ascot could also be a plus for Duke Of York fourth Summerghand, who is another each-way contender. Soft-ground C&D Champions Sprint winner Glen Shiel can go well if the ground is testing.

The market has proved a strong guide to this race in the last ten runnings with half of the favourites justifying their position at the head of the betting. However, out of the winning non-favourites in the last decade, only two - Accidental Agent and Lord Glitters - have come at double-figure prices with the former landing a shock 33-1 success in 2018. Four-year-old colts also have an incredibly strong record in the race, taking seven of the last ten runnings, while six of those in that same time period also struck at Group 1 level the previous season. Both of those trends play strongly into the hands of early favourite Palace Pier. However, one stat that is significantly against him is that John Gosden has yet to win the Queen Anne with the closest he’s come being Terrebellum 12 months ago when the filly finished a narrow second behind Circus Maximus last year. Other notable winners such as Canford Cliffs, Frankel and Ribchester were all victorious in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury before following up at Royal Ascot, while Circus Maximus and Toronado defied the usual trends by winning the Queen Anne on their seasonal debuts.

The Queen Anne has been very open in the last few years but it looks a lot more one-sided this time round, with PALACE PIER well clear on the figures. He has quickly ascended to the top of the 1m tree and should follow up his Lockinge success. Ballydoyle colts Order Of Australia and Lope Y Fernandez are still unexposed over 1m and worthy of some respect, but at bigger odds Top Rank and Regal Reality are the suggested bets for each-way seekers, in that order of preference.

Finally, Falcon Eight looks a worthy favourite in the closing Queen Alexandra Stakes (6.10), but Stag Horn surely has to be considered with the ground as it is.
A rapid improver last year, he won by wide margins both times he encountered soft ground or worse, on the second occasion slamming last year&#8217;s neck runner-up The Grand Visir (also won 2019 Ascot Stakes) by nine lengths over 2m2f at Pontefract.
He shaped okay on ground much too fast behind Stradivarius in the Sagaro Stakes last month and he&#8217;ll be in his element this time.

Bet of the day could well prove to be Pythagoras in the Golden Gates Stakes (5.35) as you could argue a case for making him nearer favourite.
He has run in two Derby trials this season and nothing went right for him in the Dante, when he was keen at the back and well out of his ground when the pace quickened, but he surged through half the field before his efforts took their toll and he dropped back to sixth.
He shaped with considerably more promise than the result and connections clearly still believe in him as if the rain had come earlier he&#8217;d have taken on Mohaafeth in the Hampton Court on Wednesday.
It didn&#8217;t so instead Pythagoras runs in this handicap off a mark of 101 and, with the ground now very much in his favour, he has to be backed.

It wouldn&#8217;t surprise me if Laura Pearson got a good tune out of him, and his record at shorter than 7f on soft ground is superb, but it&#8217;s Air Raid and Ropey Guest for me.
Air Raid travelled well for a long way in a fair race at Haydock on his return last month, eventually finishing eighth of 16 on good to soft.
When the ground has been soft or worse his form figures read 11181100, and he&#8217;s only 2lb higher than when winning the Scottish Stewards&#8217; Cup at Hamilton in 2019 and a heavy-ground contest at Haydock last year.
With the extra places available (six with most firms, seven with Sky Bet and Paddy Power), he&#8217;s worth a small each-way play, as is Ropey Guest.

Wokingham Stakes

Air Raid travelled well for a long way in a fair race at Haydock on his return last month, eventually finishing eighth of 16 on good to soft.
When the ground has been soft or worse his form figures read 11181100, and he&#8217;s only 2lb higher than when winning the Scottish Stewards&#8217; Cup at Hamilton in 2019 and a heavy-ground contest at Haydock last year.
With the extra places available (six with most firms, seven with Sky Bet and Paddy Power), he&#8217;s worth a small each-way play, as is Ropey Guest.
He drops down from 7f having finished only 12th in the Buckingham Palace on Thursday, although he was beaten only a couple of lengths on his side.
He&#8217;s not a prolific winner, having taken just a weak all-weather novice from 17 starts, but he&#8217;s been fourth in a Jersey here and sixth in a Victoria Cup, both on soft ground, and a helter-skelter gallop back at 6f might just suit.

With some of the other principals far from proven in the conditions, he&#8217;s the obvious jolly, but I&#8217;m in no mood to bet at short odds after all that rain and will be giving Happy Power another chance to prove he can hack it down in trip.
It didn&#8217;t work for him when he ran in the Champions Sprint last season, but he was sent off at a single-figure price after hacking up in the 7f Challenge Stakes at Newmarket and the race, which took place just eight days later, might well have come too soon.
Attempts at a mile certainly need to be shelved as Happy Power has proved far too keen on both his runs this season behind Palace Pier, although he performed best of the prominent racers when fifth in the Lockinge at Newbury.

Diamond Jubilee Stakes

She certainly has some of, if not the best soft-ground form around, but she&#8217;s far from the only one and Albaflora might have been a little overlooked following a sub-par fourth in the Coronation Cup at Epsom last time.
The ground may not have been soft enough for her there and she might not have handled the track, and neither of those concerns will apply at Ascot as she stormed home by seven lengths over course and distance in soft ground on her return last month, which was her second excellent effort at Ascot on a deep surface.
That was only a Listed race, but the runner-up won a soft-ground Group 3 next time and the fifth also won in Listed company.

Hardwicke Stakes

The Jersey Stakes (3.05) is much more like it as there seems to be a forgotten horse in the race in the shape of New Mandate, who is making his seasonal reappearance.
He was a really progressive juvenile for Ralph Beckett last season, graduating from winning a nursery off a mark of 81 to taking the Group 2 Royal Lodge, which he did in impressive fashion over a mile despite racing keenly early.
His failure to fire at the Breeders&#8217; Cup can be safely ignored, and while this is his first run of the season, there was no need to rush him into a Guineas campaign as he&#8217;s a gelding.
New Mandate has no form on soft ground, but his two opening defeats last term came on the quickest surface he raced on, and he is by French Derby winner New Bay, who won Group races on soft and heavy ground, so there&#8217;s a chance he&#8217;ll like it.

Jersey Stakes

The Queen Alexandra (6.10) will be more like the Eider than a Flat race and although he&#8217;s a strong stayer, I doubt whether the Chester Cup winner Falcon Eight will be at home under the conditions.
The former Ascot Stakes winner The Grand Visir should be at home and he was a close second in the race last year, while the classy Morando will be dangerous if he were to stay the trip, which is possible judged on his staying-on fourth in a Group 2 on Champions Day.
Throw in Archie Watson&#8217;s strong stayer Stag Horn, Stratum for Willie Mullins and last years&#8217; hero Who Dares Wins, and this becomes a far more competitive race than usual.

After being declared on fast ground there is every chance of many non-runners in the two big handicaps on the final day of the royal meeting, but one horse who won&#8217;t be troubled by conditions is Seasett in the Golden Gates Stakes (5.35).
This horse has really taken off since finding soft ground, winning at Nottingham with a strong finish, then being unlucky not to win the Silver Bowl at Haydock last time.
On that occasion, Seasett had to wait for a run just as the winner went clear and he was cutting back the deficit all the way to the line.
Everything points to Seasett improving a great deal at 1m2f, as he is from a family of strong stayers, and with the ground ideal for him, he looks by far the best bet of the day.

If there is a high draw advantage, then it could be worth chancing Ropey Guest at a huge price from stall 21 as he always goes well at Ascot, and he ran as well as could be expected in the Buckingham Palace earlier in the week.
Hey Jonesy took in both races last year and Ropey Guest was bang in contention on the far side on Thursday in a race that was dominated by the high draws and on ground that was much too fast for him.
Ropey Guest has never had the chance to run in a 6f handicap on soft ground and Tom Queally will no doubt follow the front-runner Punchbowl Flyer, who is drawn close by.

One that could is Fresh, who handles soft ground well and has a good record at the track having won over course and distance last time.
The narrow runner-up that day, Pendleton, has won a big race at York easily since and is definitely one to consider again here. However, there are few trainers with a better record in the best sprints than James Fanshawe, and Fresh looks well capable of improving again.
Furthermore, the one thing that stands out in Fresh&#8217;s form is his ability to hit the line hard and as most of the speed is drawn middle to low, he will have the race set up perfectly for him.

Broome is really tough and he will appreciate a step up to 1m4f but having been so impressive here earlier in the season, it might be worth giving another chance to the filly Albaflora, despite her disappointing effort in the Coronation Cup last time.
There are no horses of the calibre of Pyledriver and Al Aasy in this race but, more importantly, the two courses are like chalk and cheese and I don&#8217;t believe Albaflora gave her running at Epsom.
She looked a top-class mare in the making when winning over course and distance before that and the form was good as the second went on to win a Listed race easily.

Given that Richard Fahey has won two of last five runnings of the race, it makes sense to have a close look at Rhythm Master, who will love soft ground.
He was a staying-on third behind yesterday&#8217;s Commonwealth Cup winner Campanelle in the Morny last season and seemed to find the ground too quick on his comeback run.

The other one at a huge price is New Mandate, who was one of the best juveniles of last season and will be staying on strongly at the finish.
The question is whether he will be quite quick enough on his seasonal reappearance under a penalty. The bar, however, isn&#8217;t set that high and Ralph Beckett has booked Colin Keane.

However, the one to be on could well be Michael Bell&#8217;s runner Great Max, who won at Newbury in a good time on his debut and he was strong at the finish in the process.
Being by Wootton Bassett out of a Youmzain mare there has to be every chance he will act on the soft ground and I reckon Great Max is capable of springing a minor surprise.
Last year Bell produced The Lir Jet to win the Norfolk and he wouldn&#8217;t be running Great Max if he didn&#8217;t rate him highly.

Chesham Stakes

Flotus could get Frankie fans off to a flying start as she won&#8217;t need to make much improvement on her debut success at Goodwood to be up to the level of a normal winner.
She did plenty wrong there (slow to break, pulled hard early), but powered away to earn a Racing Post Rating of 95, which is very high for a juvenile filly first time. She&#8217;s expected to be better on better ground too.

Albany Stakes

Michael Seely Stakes form looks pretty strong and although the improving Primo Bacio may well confirm the form with Snow Lantern, the latter has been forgotten about in the market and has to be the bet. This brilliantly-bred filly was extremely impressive on her seasonal reappearance when she fended off subsequent winner Derab and just pulled her chance away at York. The daughter of Frankel is still on a sharp upward curve after just three runs, should relish the ground conditions and will be better suited to a faster-run race.

Coronation Stakes

This Alan King-trained six-year-old hasn&#8217;t won since December 2019 but spent much of his early career competing at Group 1 and 2 level and found life tough. He never got his ground last year (two runs on soft and heavy, three all-weather starts) and returned to form in three starts this year on good turf. His recent runner-up effort to Ebor fancy Ilaraab reads well in the context of this race and providing he isn&#8217;t too far back in the early stages, Raymond Tusk can play a big part at a double-figure price.

Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes

The best bet anywhere on Friday is Mirann in the Duke of Edinburgh.
It looks a really shrewd piece of placing by Johnny Murtagh as Mirann has been crying out for a return to this sort of trip having ran over a mile and twice over 1m2f this season.
His latest effort on Guineas weekend at the Curragh left the impression there was a lot more to come this season and the rain has arrived in the nick of time for the gelded son of Motivator as it might not be riding as quick as it was earlier in the week.
He has long struck me as a stakes stayer in the making and I expect him to prove that here under the very capable Ben Coen.

There were plenty of bookmakers quoting Lipizzaner at 66-1 on Thursday for the Commonwealth Cup and those sort of odds are just too tempting to turn down now that Aidan O&#8217;Brien has reached for blinkers. He shouldn&#8217;t be the outsider of the pack.
Lipizzaner must work well as he&#8217;s started favourite or joint-favourite for half of his ten starts. He&#8217;s only won twice, but some of his form stacks up quite well and he seems versatile with regard to conditions. Two starts ago he was 6-5 to beat Measure Of Magic and he was fourth in the Norfolk last year.
He was only beaten half-a-length by both Poetic Flare and Lucky Vega in maidens last year and, if you forget his tame effort at Naas last month, he would be half the price he is now. He&#8217;s been crying out for cover in a big field and blinkers could just be the making of him.
I don&#8217;t think his form is as inferior to some of the leading contenders as his price suggests.

Commonwealth Cup

In the closing Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes (6.10) I&#8217;m just going to play it simple and back Warrior Brave, who has improved dramatically since joining Mick Appleby and continues to do so.
It&#8217;s baffling that he&#8217;s not favourite despite being 7lb well in for finishing second to Atalis Bay in the Scurry at Sandown on Saturday.
Last year&#8217;s runner-up Keep Busy had been second in that Sandown heat but she had the misfortune to run in Art Power at Ascot. There is nothing in here so obviously ahead of the handicapper even if Equality and Boomshalaa have shown serious promise.

Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes Handicap

Raymond Tusk is being gradually returned to his best by new trainer Alan King and is certainly worth a small bet from stall one.
He has run really well on his last two starts, most notably when second to the Hardwicke-bound Ilaraab at York last time.
He has gone back up to a mark of 102, but he was beaten only two lengths off 111 when fourth in the 2019 Ebor and he has a second to his name in the Group 3 Sagaro here.
King does really well with older middle-distance stayers on the Flat and if he&#8217;s found the key to Raymond Tusk he&#8217;ll get a decent pot out of him soon.

The last ten winners of the Duke of Edinburgh (5.35) were drawn ten or higher, with two from 19 and two from 21, and as Quickthorn looks to have been layed out for this I&#8217;m prepared to back him from 19 here.
Given the form of his all-weather third to Omnivega last July, Quickthorn looked obviously well treated on his return after being gelded at Haydock last month, but you don&#8217;t get deliberately pushed out to win by a wide margin without good reason.
The reason is surely that off a mark of 84 he&#8217;d have had no chance of getting into any race at Royal Ascot, and while Oisin Murphy may have overdone it, picking up a 13lb rise for that eight-and-a-half-length success, Quickthorn is obviously pretty useful.

Anyone with a really strong opinion must be mad, but I&#8217;m going to have a small play on Joseph O&#8217;Brien&#8217;s Camdeboo.
She powered clear to win by three lengths on her reappearance at Cork over 7f (third and fourth won next time), but was then dropped to just 5½f in a Listed race on the same track, probably because she&#8217;s by champion sprinter Muhaarar.
However, Muhaarar seems to get more horses who stay well than sprinters, and it all happened a bit quick for Camdeboo, who nonetheless ran a fair race in fourth.
There&#8217;s every chance she will relish this step up to a mile and prove fairly handicapped off a mark of 92.

Sandringham Stakes Handicap

I thought for much of the week that Primo Bacio was going to be my banker of the meeting, but the more I looked at the prices the more ridiculous I thought it was that Novemba could be quoted in double figures.
Her price is based not on form but the fact she is trained in Germany, as according to official ratings she&#8217;s the best filly in the race by 3lb. Of course, comparing form from another racing jurisdiction is never simple and Novemba could easily have won a bad running of the German Guineas last month.
Novemba&#8217;s trainer Peter Schiergen doesn&#8217;t have many runners in Britain, but he&#8217;s won a King George (with his Arc winner Danedream) and a Coronation Cup and he once had a Prince of Wales&#8217;s Stakes second at 66-1. He has also, of course, been mopping up all the top races in Germany for more than two decades.

Dragon Symbol is well worth a bet, however, in the Commonwealth Cup (3.40) as I thought he enhanced his reputation despite losing his unbeaten record when going down by a nose to Rohaan in the Sandy Lane.
That was on heavy ground, which seemed unlikely to suit given how he&#8217;d floated over a much quicker surface when laughing at the useful Significantly at Hamilton the time before. With extremes of going now looking unlikely he could prove the one to beat.
Dragon Symbol is certainly going to see out this stiff 6f well and he is much preferred to Campanelle, who has yet to run this season, and Suesa, for whom the absence of significant rain is likely a negative.

The concluding Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes (6.10) is another tough race to crack and there are obvious cases to be made for Warrior Brave, Mo Celita and Significantly but Laura Pearson, who rode a winner earlier in the week, is worth backing on the rapid improver Dream Composer.
He came from last to first to win at Kempton recently and he will have to race set up perfectly for him from stall 23.

Sam Cooke and Jeremiah fought out the finish of a good race at this track last year, but Dark Pine has been a revelation since joining David Loughnane and he did remarkably well to win at Chester last time.
That form has worked out fine and Dark Pine gave the two in front of him a good lead turning into the home straight. There could be more to come from him at this trip and the trainer has already had a one-two and a head second this week.

The problem is that he runs three and bookmakers think Tritonic under Ryan Moore is the best of them. He could easily be after running a blinder to be second at the meeting last year, but it&#8217;s one of the other two King runners which catches my eye, last year&#8217;s winner Scarlet Dragon.
He&#8217;s only 4lb higher than when coming from last into the home straight a year ago and the form of that win worked out well, the second going on to win the Old Newton Cup off a 5lb higher mark, while the fourth won a Listed race.
After that run Scarlet Dragon scythed through the Ebor field, going as well as anything a furlong out, before failing to last home over 1m6f. Obviously, he is going to need luck in running as always, but this race suits him perfectly and he is surely going to go well.

The Sandringham (5.00) looks impossible with doubts about what the ground will be and where the best place to be drawn is. It could be that you need a strong stayer and with the Gosden horses going so well this week I think Kestenna will run well.
She has never run on soft ground, so that would be a concern if the rain arrives, but there are positive signs on that score on her pedigree.
Kestenna ran well in a good Listed race behind the Coronation Stakes hope Primo Bacio at York last time, but she was too keen on her turf debut and should settle a lot better in this big field.

After an abject display against France the other night, I don&#8217;t think there is much to fear from Germany in the Euros but their runners are always underestimated when they are sent over to Britain and Novemba looks a big player in the Coronation Stakes (4.20). Let&#8217;s be honest, the fillies running over a mile this season have been below average. The winners of the English, Irish and French 1,000 Guineas had won three of their 18 races before their Classic wins.
Consequently, there is a chance Novemba&#8217;s win in the German equivalent might be as good as the performances Mother Earth and Empress Josephine produced at Newmarket and the Curragh. The clock suggests that was the case and Novemba has form on soft ground so shouldn&#8217;t be inconvenienced if there is lots of rain. She is drawn in stall one, which is perfect for a front-runner and this week it&#8217;s been hard to make up ground in the middle of the track. Of the others I think there is more to come from Empress Josephine, who made up lots of ground late on to snatch the Irish Guineas.

Ideally, Jumby could have done with being drawn on either of the wings but the jockeys know all about the track now and Charlie Bishop will have options. His handicap win at Newmarket last time came on rain-softened ground and the form couldn&#8217;t have worked out any better with the fifth First Folio winning at York last week.
Eve Johnson Houghton landed the Windsor Castle Stakes with Chipotle on Wednesday and we all know the top handicappers seem to be able to run as fast as their Group race counterparts these days.

I think Dragon Symbol has lots going for him from his high draw after an excellent effort at Haydock in the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes. That was his first real race after some easy wins on the all-weather and on fast ground at Hamilton. He probably found the heavy ground too much at Haydock on his most recent start.
Despite that, Dragon Symbol stayed on really well and would have got up up to win in another stride and no matter how much rain there is, Ascot will never be as soft as Haydock was that day.

There&#8217;s another massive field for the Buckingham Palace (6.10) and it&#8217;s very hard to ignore the claims of Boardman, who keeps winning with tons in hand. He cruised through the field to beat subsequent Epsom Derby day winner Ejtilaab last time at Chester and is clearly a horse on a huge upward curve.
The draw in stall nine may prove lower than ideal, but things can change after the first two days and he&#8217;s going to be dropped in anyway.

Buckingham Palace Stakes

Surefire and Kondo Isami are shorter prices than those for the King George V Handicap (5.35), but I found it hard to pick between the two and will definitely be backing both.
Surefire shaped really well when beaten just over a length by Siskany at Windsor on his return and both he and the winner have scored with plenty in hand since.
However, Surefire won more recently and is 3lb well-in under his penalty and 8lb better off. The way he ran at Leicester suggests he going to improve again for the extra distance and he must have a big chance.

King George V Stakes

Big-field handicaps are the races I enjoy most at Royal Ascot and I&#8217;ll be going two-handed in each of the last three, starting with Perotto and Grid in the Britannia Stakes (5.00). Perotto has yet to try a mile, but he&#8217;s by a French Derby winner and his handicap form this season is so strong he has to be worth chancing.
His opening two runs this season came over 6f, with the first a length second to Creative Force, who has gone up 13lb since then, while he was then fourth to Commonwealth Cup-bound Jumby at Newmarket in another race that worked out really well. He was finishing nicely that day and got the job done when stepped up to 7f at Goodwood last time, coming from last to first to get up on the line despite not getting a clear run.
This is obviously a much stiffer test, but he&#8217;s clearly progressive and is well worth chancing.

Britannia Stakes

If the forecast rain doesn&#8217;t hit Ascot the ground for the concluding Buckingham Palace Stakes (6.10) will be extremely quick. Many of the fancied ones would certainly be helped if conditions were to ease and if that was the case then Boardman would have to be at the top of most people&#8217;s shortlist after his string of easy victories.
The handicapper probably hasn&#8217;t caught up with him yet and he could easily win again but this is a very different race to the ones he&#8217;s been winning and at the prices I would prefer to back Danyah, who has run well in the Lincoln and Spring Cup off similar marks over a mile this season.
On both occasions he was perhaps a bit keen and he does wear the dreaded hood but the drop back to 7f off a strong pace could be the making of him.

In the past a wide draw has been a big help but that hasn&#8217;t been the case at this meeting so far and so I&#8217;m not too concerned about stall one for the huge improver Tashkhan.
At the weights he&#8217;s going to find it hard to turn the tables on Kondo Isami on York form but Tashkhan would have won in another stride and he took another big step forward at Haydock next time.
Any rain would suit him but he won like a horse miles ahead of his mark last time and I don&#8217;t think we have seen anything like the best of him yet.

There are quite a few of them in the line-up, but the one I like the look of best is Ralph Beckett&#8217;s Twisted Reality, who was fourth behind Eshaada and Gloria Mundi on her comeback run over 1m2f at Newbury but might well be able to turn the tables stepped up to this trip and with that run under her belt.
Twisted Reality would probably want some rain, but she was staying on best of all at Newbury and might well having been racing on the worst of the ground, too.

Ribblesdale Stakes

Long gone are the days when the US juveniles were big prices and it could be worth chancing Bryan Smart&#8217;s Project Dante against him. The second, third, fourth and fifth from his sole success in a York maiden have all come out and won since, and the time was also good.
Furthermore he looked before and during the race as if he was going to improve a lot for the experience as he came to win easily but only scraped home late on. Smart went close to winning this race a few years ago and, if Lucci is not all he&#8217;s cracked up to be, Project Dante could be the one to pick up the pieces, especially as he might have the best draw in stall 16.

Norfolk Stakes

Wordsworth is bred to win this race being a full-brother to 2018 scorer Kew Gardens, but he hasn&#8217;t been missed in the market and it&#8217;s best to find value elsewhere. That may come in the form of Kemari, a son of Dubawi who represents the in-form Charlie Appleby team. He ran with good promise when second to a useful type on debut over an inadequate 1m2f, before sluicing up at Yarmouth by a wide margin. Kemari passed the visual test that day and although this is a much harder assignment, he hinted that he has the ability to compete.

Queen’s Vase

After watching the Coventry I would imagine all the jockeys are going to go towards the stands&#8217; rail in the Windsor Castle (5.35), especially with one of Wesley Ward&#8217;s drawn in stall 21. That might mean there are traffic problems up the rail but hopefully that won&#8217;t be too big an issue and Dig Two can enjoy a clear run. He has looked really good the last twice and Hugo Palmer rates him just behind Ebro River, who won the National Stakes and was a good fifth in the Coventry on Tuesday from stall one.
Golden Bell might be the best of the US raiders and Albion Square could go well for Jessica Harrington after an easy win at Naas last time.

Windsor Castle Stakes

The other one to back is Haqeeqy for John and Thady Gosden after his incredibly easy success in the Lincoln at the start of the season.
He looked a Group 1-class horse on that occasion and while he was a disappointing fourth at this track in a Listed race next time, that form could hardly have worked out better.

Royal Hunt Cup

Quick Suzy is very fast and, drawn in 22, she could be the one to back against the favourite after her striking win against a bias at the Curragh two starts ago.
She clearly found the six furlongs too far in a Group race at Naas last time having been well clear entering the final furlong and this stiff 5f looks ideal. Gavin Cromwell is better known for Cheltenham Festival winners, not speedy two-year-olds, but he&#8217;s a superb trainer and Quick Suzy has everything going for her.

Queen Mary Stakes

Apricot Moon was highly tried in Ireland, finishing seventh in the Irish 1,000 Guineas on only her second start, but she&#8217;s now 8lb lower than her initial mark for her first handicap. She may have needed her first run for her new yard and quite possibly didn&#8217;t stay 1m2f anyway, but if she can get near that Guineas effort in a first-time tongue tie she is fully entitled to be on the premises off a mark of 90.
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Kensington Palace Stakes Handicap

He has won the last two of his three starts easily, and the form of both has worked out. Dig Two powered home by nearly four lengths last time at Chelmsford from a horse who won by almost as far in a 13-runner novice at Nottingham on Monday, and he might do a bit better than his sire who finished sixth to Ward&#8217;s Hootenanny in 2014 before going on to win the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood.

The other one to back is Astro King, who looks really progressive for Sir Michael Stoute. He beat this race&#8217;s favourite Finest Sound on his return and then got shuffled back early from a wide draw in the Thirsk Hunt Cup before rattling home late for third. Given how strongly he finishes, this much stiffer track should suit him.

Lady Bowthorpe won by a head and a neck over the reopposing Queen Power and Lavender&#8217;s Blue on her penultimate start at Newmarket and the one to take her on with is the totally unexposed Double Or Bubble for in-form trainer Chris Wall.
A four-year-old who has managed just four outings, Double Or Bubble is clearly difficult to train, but she looked exciting when sauntering nearly four lengths clear of a good field of handicappers on her return at Newmarket, and there&#8217;s no telling where she will end up.

Duke Of Cambridge Stakes

He is one of those typically teak-tough Johnston stayers who improves with every run and he made it 4-4 in handicaps this season when getting up to score by a neck over roughly this trip at Doncaster just 11 days ago. It&#8217;s true he took a fair while to get on top then but that&#8217;s because they crawled and he came from the back against horses quickening in front of him, so he deserves extra credit for doing so.
Johnston has won this with horses who graduated from handicaps, and 2006 scorer Soapy Danger came into this with handicap form figures of 2121, his latest run coming 13 days before Royal Ascot. Dancing King has speed, stamina and a very willing attitude, so looks well worth a bet with the extra places available.

St James’s Palace Stakes Tips

Tom Collins

Best Bet

Battleground

Paul Kealy

Single

Chindit

St James’s Palace Stakes Tips and Predictions Racing Post experts predict the likely big players and identify the each way value in the St James’s Palace Stakes, as well as analysing the trends and predicting the winner.

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