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And so we come to the final day, or the final curtain as Frank Sinatra would say. Royal Ascot 2023’s final curtain hasn’t drawn just yet. We still have seven top-class races to feast our eyes on over the course of Saturday afternoon, so let’s try to pinpoint a few winners.
14:30 – Chesham Stakes
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Not for the first time this week, Ryan Moore looks all set to be on a well-fancied one, as he rides Pearls And Rubies in Saturday’s Chesham Stakes. It also won’t be first time that he’s ridden a strongly fancied type for Aiden O’Brien. This is normal service for the pair, let’s be honest.
The once-raced filly is very highly rated, though it’s not as if she created a tremendous impression first time out. She got the job done, of course, but won only by a neck at Navan. The two-year-old did travel well, shaping as though further would be ideal, so this step up to seven furlongs bodes well. Will she live up to the hype? Perhaps, but plenty don’t, and plenty haven’t this week, so I’m keen to look elsewhere.
Joseph O’Brien really has been a tad unfortunate this week and with a bit more luck would probably have had at least one winner. It wouldn’t be the hugest surprise if he found a Royal Ascot winner here with Nemonte, travelled well before staying powerfully late in the day at the Curragh on debut a month ago. Her turn of foot impressed on that occasion, while she looked as if further would suit, making this step up to seven furlongs look a real plus. At 11/1, that’s where my each-way money will be going in this race.
Best Bet: Nemonte (each-way) @ 11/1
15:05 – Jersey Stakes
In this year’s Jersey Stakes, we’re likely to see a short-priced favourite got to post in the form of Covey, who the day before the race, trades around 15/8 in the early market.
That horse is yet to put a foot wrong since winning for the first time at Newmarket in April. He landed the hat-trick at Haydock last time out, cruising to victory in a Class 2 handicap, suggesting that he had lots in hand of the handicapper, who has since responded with a 10lb rise, but this colt may have enough in the tank to take such a hit in his stride.
Covey is the trendy horse here and may prove to be good enough to win this, but there are some very good runners in here, so 15/8 looks on the skinny side.
At 10/1, Olivia Maralda stands out for Roger Varian, who has had a winner at Ascot this week. She won her Listed contest at Epsom in good style last time out and is thus certainly worthy of her place in Group 3 company. It really wouldn’t take much more for her to be knocking on the door here.
Best Bet: Olivia Maralda (each-way) @ 10/1
15:40 – Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes
There’s no strong favourite at the head of the early market for this Queen Elizabet II Jubilee Stakes. Right now, Wellington for Aiden O’Brien and John Quinn’s Highfield Princess both rate as 11/2 shots, while Artorious currently tops the market at 4/1.
The winner is more likely to come from that trio than elsewhere, yet I like the Charlie Appleby runner Al Suhail, who was last seen finishing a very good close-up third over this trip in Dubai. That form probably doesn’t get the respect it deserves, while the six-year-old has placed at Ascot at Group level before. Don’t be surprised if he makes his presence felt under William Buick. With five places on offer, 14/1 is worth a stab each way.
Best Bet: Al Suhail (each-way) @ 14/1
16:20 – Hardwicke Stakes
Only eight runners go to post for the Hardwicke Stakes, which will probably be music to the ears of the race commentator who has had several tough tasks this week.
Pyledriver is a class act on his day, and he’s no stranger to running well off the back of a break, though it’s a huge ask for him to win this sort of race after 336 days off, and it’s likely that he’ll need this to get ready for his King George defence.
I’m going to be boring here and suggest Hukum, who looks to have a huge chance. The six-year-old beat Pyledriver to land the Coronation Cup at Epsom last July, while he from a year off to win a Group 3 at Sandown recently. That should leave the Owen Burrows trained runner nicely prepared for this and he’s very much the one to beat.
Best Bet: Hukum @ 2/1
17:00 – Wokingham Stakes
The Wokingham Stakes is a typically tough Royal Ascot handicap and the betting for the 2023 renewal of this race is ultra competitive. Orazio, following back-to-back handicap wins at Newmarket and over course and distance, is the early favourite at 6/1, though there are more than just a few who hold rock-solid claims here.
For my money, Khanjar is the one to be on at early odds of 10/1. The William Haggas runner has won over this trip at Ascot before, which bodes well, while he’s starting to look well handicapped again. From his current mark, he ran a very good race to finish second at Hamilton last time out. In first-time cheekpieces, he may be capable of just a bit more, which would likely see him go very close here.
Best Bet: Khanjar (each-way) @ 10/1
17:35 – Golden Gate Stakes
It’s back-to-back handicaps towards the end of Royal Ascot, and the penultimate race of the meeting will be the Golden Gate Stakes, which set to be contested by 17 runners.
It’s another one of those races where, for one reason or another, a case can be made for several, but I like the looks Have Secret for Richard Fahey. This three-year-old won at the first time of asking over a mile and two furlongs back in October of last year, while he was far from disgraced when finishing fourth (of 14) at Newbury on his seasonal reappearance in May. In fact, he turned in a solid performance, finishing just one length behind the 99-rated winner, who has since gone on to finish third in a handicap at Royal Ascot this week. In fact, the first, second and third from that race have all gone on to either finish second or third at Royal Ascot this week, so the form looks strong.
Best Bet: Have Secret (each-way) @ 14/1
18:10 – Queen Alexandria Stakes
Royal Ascot will close with the Queen Alexandria Stakes. Only 10 runners are set to go to field, so for this week, it’s a small field to bring down the curtain.
It looks like Dawn Rising and Stratum will fight it out for market supremacy, and both have serious claims, though at bigger odds, I prefer the chances of Typewriter, who has performed well in some strong races of late, suggesting as if this much longer strip may just be up her street.
The Andrew Balding filly, set to be ridden by Oisin Murphy, ran a decent race over a shorter trip at York last time out in Group 3 company, and she really did look as if this extra emphasis on stamina would suit her. Much the same can be said of her effort when finishing fourth (of 15) in a Class 2 handicap at York prior to that. She’ll likely be ridden quietly out the back and if she gets this trip, don’t be surprised to see her come with a late run.
Best Bet: Typewriter (each-way) @ 10/1
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