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Royal Ascot 2023 comes to an end today, but we still have play of top-class races to enjoy before the curtain comes down on what is arguably Britain’s biggest festival of racing.
The Hardwicke Stakes is of course the feature race on Saturday, taking place at 16:20, but after that we still have three excellent contests to get stuck into, one of which is the very competitive Wokingham Stakes, run over a speedy six furlongs.
Last-time-out winners galore
With 28 runners set to go to post here, there’s no shortage of in-form horses and last-time-out winners in the field. Five of these came home in front last time out, including Orazio, who is the early favourite having won two on the spin. The Charlie Hills trained colt won cosily on seasonal reappearance over this trip at Newmarket in April, before going on to land the spoils of a Class 3 affair over course and distance three weeks later. This assignment is tougher, but he did it well on that occasion, suggesting that he had a bit in hand over the handicapper. Then again, he’ll have to prove that he was some way ahead of the assessor to take a 9lb hike in the weights in his stride here.
Bielsa is another who comes here off a pleasing victory last time out. Ridden by Oisin Murphy, he’d have a sizable chance if capable of seeing off a 5lb rise in the weights. Ryan Moore looks to have a typically strong ride in the form of Probe, who was the winner of a big-field handicap at Newmarket in early May. That form is among the strongest on offer.
Khanjar Can
As mentioned in the full run down of today’s best bets at Royal Ascot, Khanjar looks a good each-way bet here. Drifting ever so slightly in the market, the William Haggas runner looks to have plenty in favour following a very encouraging effort last time out.
A previous Ascot winner, the four-year-old has started to trickle back down the weights, leaving him potentially well handicapped for this contest. There was also lots to like about the way he came on for his reappearance run to go close over this trip (at this level) at Hamilton last time out. Having dwelt in the rear, he ran on well that day, suggesting that the likely strong pace of this race would suit his running style.
Wearing first-time cheekpieces, he may just be able to find a bit more, which could very easily allow him to lay down a serious challenge at the death. Under Jim Crowley, Khanjar looks set to go close for a trainer that has won this contest before.
Best Bet: Khanjar (each-way) @ 11/1
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