SATURDAY WEATHER UPDATE -- Mixed weather throughout this period with the risk of rain or possibly heavy showers for Saturday afternoon. Also some dry weather with some sunshine.
Temperatures close to average, perhaps locally warm. with a Very High pollen count forecast too. High temp of 22C
GOING -- GOOD TO FIRM
DAY FIVE
Welcome to this our final day of this season's Royal Ascot festival meeting.
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 instead. Let's focus on the big races for Saturday;
2:30 -- CHESHAM STAKES (7f)
A listed race for 2yo and just the eleven take the stage for Saturdays' opener. Doesn't appear to have the same depth of quality as recent renewals and Aiden O'Brien runs one here CARDINI who doesn't appear to be anything out of the ordinary which is rare for such a powerful yard. Godolphin rely on BEYOND REASON while NATALIE'S JOY appears to be the pick of the Mark Johnston trio.
2:30 Royal Ascot -- Chesham Stakes (7f)
RESULT
1st -- Arthur Kitt 13/2
2nd -- Nate the Great 11/1
3rd -- Duke of Hazzard 25/1
3:05 HARDWICKE STAKES (1m 4f)
This is a Group 2 contest usually farmed by Sir Micheal Stoute and his CRYSTAL OCEAN looks unopposed with just the six runners declared and Rare Rhythm already a non runner reducing us to five.
I'll just watch this one unfold, it's not a better proposition although as we've seen with Cracksman earlier in the week the odds on shots can be beaten. IDAHO is a selection for those looking for the forecast or a placepot selection without the fav.
3:05 Royal Ascot -- Hardwicke Stakes (1m 4f)
RESULT
1st -- Crystal Ocean 4/7F
2nd -- Red Verdon 33/1
3.40 WINDSOR CASTLE LISTED STAKES 5f
A huge field now for this listed stakes over the min trip, 28 two year olds take their chance with challenges from Uk, Ireland, France and USA.
Wesley Ward runs the likely fav with MOONLIGHT ROMANCE, and has been having a successful Royal Ascot again so should take this one seriously, might not be much value in such a big field so we will try one or two that have a more attractive odds profile. JAMES WATT (drawn 20) and TIN HAT (6) both about 20/1+.
3:40 Royal Ascot -- Windsor Caste Stakes (5f)
RESULT
1st -- Soldiers Call 12/1
2nd -- Sabre 12/1
3rd -- Dom Carlos 16/1
4:20 DIAMOND JUBILEE STAKES 6f
Today's Group 1 and 19 declared for the sprint, the race worth about £340,000 to the winner only twelve line up though although looks a quality field with an international flavour.
But preference is for the home team with HARRY ANGEL a strong selection on this years form so far. And a long time admirer of SIR DANCEALOT who can belie his price of 33/1.
4:20 Royal Ascot -- Diamond Jubilee Stakes (6f)
RESULT
1st -- Merchant Navy 4/1
2nd -- City Light 12/1
3rd -- Bound for Nowhere 16/1
5:00 -- WOKINGHAM STAKES HANDICAP 6f
It's just not Royal Ascot without a massive field handicap and today we've the Wokingham and 28 runners worth over £100,000 to the winner.
With the market about 7/1 the field this will be impossible to predict and the size of the field means plenty of hard luck stories for sure. The lucky pin picked out VICTORY ANGEL (drawn 9) and TOMMY TAYLOR (15) and with such a wide open field I think that will suffice here ... good luck if you still in the placepot too.
5:00 Royal Ascot -- Wokingham Stakes (6f)
RESULT
1st -- Bacchus 33/1
2nd -- Dreamfield 2/1F
3rd -- Major Jumbo 20/1
4th -- Tis Marvellous 20/1
5:35 -- QUEEN ALEXANDRA STAKES 2m 6f
We conclude with the longest distance race on the Flat calendar, an event that is often targeted by the National Hunt trainers and although we are well represented with the likes of Gordon Elliott and of course Willie Mullins from Ireland it's probably going to go to the flat trainers with one of the pair FUN MAC who ran well in this last year and COUNT OCTAVE who contested the Queens Vase last year (finished runner up) and steps up in trip once again these are our final picks against the field this year.
5:35 Royal Ascot -- Queen Alexandra Stakes (2m 6f)
RESULT
1st -- Pallasator 11/2
2nd -- Renneti 40/1
3rd -- Count Octave 4/1
That's all for Royal Ascot this year, been difficult as always, but we'll be back next year. For now it's goodbye and a quick return to the normal meetings starting with Pontefract tomorrow and the England vs Panama World Cup match!
BYE BYE FOLKS, SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR.
LUV QUEENIE AND PHIL
I'm 92 you know !!
