Saturday's Weather Update
Mixed weather throughout this period with a minimal risk of rain but will be very cloudy throughout the day and a high of 21C.
Going forecast -- Good [Round course Good to Soft]
Day Five - Saturday, June 20
Welcome to this our final day of this season's Royal Ascot festival meeting. An eight race card to end the week with starting at 12:40 who will win leading jockey this week, Jim Crowley still leading the way, Ryan Moore now the big danger hot on his heels.
We go once again for Saturday, been a hectic week, I still remember this as the "family day" known as Ascot Heath meeting where everyone could come along and not have to dress up. That's all long gone now and it's just day five for everyone and features the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes off at 3:35. Let's focus on that and all the big races for Saturday;
12.40pm The Silver Wokingham Stakes (Handicap)
6f [£35,000 24 runners]
A consolation race for the Wokingham Stakes which is run later on, a huge field of 24 and recent stats confirm that higher number draws are favoured. So COUNT D'ORSAY (T Easterby) having also won on Soft going enters the equation, and we'll also side with one towards the bottom of the weights in NAHAARR (W Haggas). Very open sort of race of course, if you want to try a big outsider then can I suggest GABRIAL THE WIRE (R Fahey) who has just got into the race and could run a huge race if he can overcome his relatively low draw today - 5th 50/1 Skybet paid out.
RESULT
1st Chiefofchiefs 20/1 [W Buick]
2nd Burmese Waltz 22/1
3rd Nahaarr (IRE) 4/1
4th Louie de Palma 25/1
1.15pm The Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2)
5f [£50,000 20 runners]
Twenty 2yo fillies line up for the Group 2 event, American trainer Wesley Ward has two here CAMPANELLE [Won 9/2] is probably his No1 contender with Frankie Dettori in the saddle but don't discard ROYAL APPROVAL either. Aiden O'Brien relies on MORE BEAUTIFUL who won her maiden by 3L at Naas and could be special. Large field often throws up an outsider to place and we think that RISQUE can run a big race for Richard Hannon who knows plenty about getting a young 2yo ready to run, won her second start and big at 33/1.
RESULT
1st Campanelle 9/2 [L Dettori]
2nd Sacred 5/1
3rd Caroline Dale 100/1
1.50pm The Coventry Stakes (Group 2) 2yos
6f [£60,000 16 runners]
Yet more 2yo's for the Coventry stakes, another Group 2 event and with 16 this should be fast and furious even on the rain softened ground. ADMIRAL NELSON leads the way after his victory at the Curragh and QAADER looks the pick of the Mark Johnston trio with Jim Crowley looking to secure the top jockey title too. EXISTANT should prove to be better than his debut 3rd at Newmarket and could place for John Gosden / Frankie Dettori.
RESULT
1st Nando Parrado 150/1 [A Kirby]
2nd Qaader 3/1
3rd Saeiqa 25/1
2.25pm The Coronation Stakes (Group 1)
1m [£250,000 7 runners]
A Group 1 for 3yo fillies just the seven declared but all have a chance, QUADRILATERAL finished 3rd in the 1000 Guineas and the daughter of a Royal Ascot winner Frankel has a huge chance on that form. RUN WILD won the Pretty Polly stakes over 1m 2f so not sure if coming back in trip is going to see her in the same light, so we'll have a look at SHARING winner over in America including the Breeders Cup meeting and must be in with a shout if the travel hasn't taken much out of her.
RESULT
1st Alpine Star 9/2 [L Dettori]
2nd Sharing 16/5
 |
| Frankie Dettori wins Coronation Stakes on Alpine Star |
1m [£250,000 7 runners]
The 3yo generation of colts have their turn now and it's hopeful that PINATUBO can show that his 2yo form was worth the high rating and although on a recovery mission from his 3rd placing in the 2000 Guineas this is a nice prize to get back on course with. Will have to battle with WICHITA for favouritism and PALACE PIER [Won 4/1] will have plenty to say too in a race that should throw out loads of future Group winners.
RESULT
1st Palace Pier 4/1 [L Dettori]
2nd Pinatubo 11/8f
3.35pm The Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Group 1)
6f [£250,000 10 runners]
A smaller than usual field for the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee contest, no horses trying to double up this year, so it's time for HELLO YOUMZAIN [Won 4/1] to win a quality contest to go with his Betfair Sprint Cup win at Haydock. SCEPTICAL looks a short price even though he's won plenty they were at Dundalk on the all weather and this is a big step up in quality, so I'd rather take that on with ONE MASTER who has form on soft going and she's won Group races in France and Ireland so must be respected in this company.
RESULT
1st Hello Youmzain 4/1 [K Stott]
2nd Dream of Dreams 8/1
3rd Sceptical 2/1f
4.10pm The Wokingham Stakes (Handicap)
6f [£75,000 24 runners]
The big handicap of the day is the Wokingham and the draw may well play a part again with the 24 runners spread across the track the high numbers have been favourable this week. So HIGHLAND DRESS does appeal while in winning form and although requiring another step up could be in the mood, has a decent draw and still 12/1 so a workable price. Spainish City probably needs the rain to stay away to have a good chance, and Air Raid has been doing his winning at Hamilton so instead we look at SUMMERGHAND who has been out in Dubai racing but has since returned with a second place in a Newmarket handicap and 14/1 here might be open to another win/place bet.
RESULT
1st Hey Jonesy 18/1 [K Stott]
2nd Summerghand 15/2
3rd Spanish City 16/1
4th Gulliver 12/1
4.40pm The Queen Alexandra Stakes (Conditions)
2m 6f [£35,000 9 runners]
We conclude with the longest distance race on the Flat calendar, an event that is often targeted by the National Hunt trainers and although there are not as many as usual we are represented with the likes of WHO DARES WINS for trainer Alan King.
Nothing this year from Willie Mullins or NH trainers like Paul Nicholls so should go to one of the traditional flat trainers with NATE THE GREAT although all of these will have question marks over this extreme trip but IMPHAL has a chance if the early pace is steady of getting this trip and should make a stayer for dual trainer Gary Moore. Not certain we will see Mekong after that one was 5th in the Gold Cup on Thursday and indeed is a non runner.
RESULT
1st Who Dares Wins Evens [Tom Marquand]
2nd The Grand Visir 11/4
3rd Mukha Magic 40/1
That's all for Royal Ascot this year, one that will go down in history for it's unique nature and we plan to be back stronger next year. For now it's goodbye and I wish you all a safe remainder of the season. Couple of weeks we will have the Derby and Oaks at Epsom, and in the meantime we have further racing at Kempton and Pontefract.
BYE BYE FOLKS, WE HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR. LUV ALWAYS QUEENIE AND PHIL I'm 94 you know -- release the hounds and get off my land !!
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