Royal Ascot Continues: Best Bets for the Final Three Days

It’s been a spectacular meeting so far, with early highlights including Baaed delivering on the hype in the Queen Anne Stakes, and Aussie superstar Nature Strip scorching the turf in the Kings Stand. Still plenty to look forward to though, both from a viewing and a punting perspective, and here we pick out our best bets for the final three days of what is the finest flat festival on the planet.

Day 3: Thursday 16th June

Norfolk Stakes: Brave to Strike for Bell

Sioux Nation landed this prize back in 2017 and has made an excellent start as a sire. The two best of his progeny to date both line up here in the shape of Bakeel and Brave Nation. And of that pair, we just prefer the claims of the Michael Bell trained Brave Nation, who really caught the eye with the manner in which he put six lengths between himself and the field on debut at Doncaster. He looks nicely priced to hit the frame.

• Betting Tip - Brave Nation ew @ 9/1 with Ladbrokes

Ribblesdale Stakes: Dream Scenario for Appleby Runner

Charlie Appleby’s Life Of Dreams appears to have been a little overlooked in the market here. Finding only Emily Upjohn too good over 1m2f last time out, that form has since been franked in no uncertain terms. In addition, being by Dubawi and out of a 1m6f Group winning mare, she should improve for quicker ground and a step up in trip – both of which she gets here.

• Betting Tip - Life Of Dreams @ 5/1 with Coral

Day 4: Friday 17th June

Albany Stakes: Chelsea to Leave Favourite Backers Blue

Mawj and Meditate look the obvious ones here, going for the powerful Godolphin and Ballydoyle operations. However, in a race which hasn’t been averse to a shock result, it may be worth taking an each way chance on Sydneyarms Chelsea from the Charles Hills operation. Looking clueless at times on her debut at Newbury, she still managed to show speed when it mattered to get on top close home. Granted a more professional display, we wouldn’t be surprised to see her go close under William Buick.

• Betting Tip - Sydneyarms Chelsea ew @ 14/1 with Coral

Coronation Queen: Inspiral to Leave Rivals in a Spin

English and French 1000 Guineas winners Cachet and Mangoustine feature amongst a cracking field for this fillies only contest. However, the one for us is the John Gosden trained Inspiral. The best of these as a juvenile, this daughter of Frankel spent the winter as the clear favourite for the 1000 Guineas only to miss that assignment due to a setback. Hugely impressive in the Fillies Mile, if she has trained on as expected she will prove tough to beat.

• Betting Tip - Inspiral @ 15/8 with Ladbrokes

Day 5: Saturday 18th June

Chesham Stakes: Auguste in June?

Aidan O’Brien’s Alfred Munnings is currently trading as the odds-on favourite for this Listed contest for the juveniles, despite 21 unexposed two-year-olds remaining in the field at the time of writing. Beautifully bred, he may well win, but is not for us at that sort of price. Take a chance instead on the O’Brien second string, Auguste Rodin. By Japanese super sire Deep Impact, and out of a Group 1 winning mare in Rhododendron, this one is also spectacularly bred for the task at hand and can improve on a most unlucky debut second at the Curragh.

• Betting Tip - Auguste Rodin ew @ 7/1 with Coral

Platinum Jubilee Stakes: Camp America

Should King’s Stand hero Nature Strip bid for a quick double in this, punters likely need look no further for the winner. That is however far from certain at present and as such we prefer an each way punt on Wesley Ward’s Campanelle. Still only four years old, this US filly already has two Royal Ascot successes in the book courtesy of wins in the 2020 Queen Mary Stakes and 2021 Commonwealth Cup. Course form counts for plenty here and she is taken to go close for Irad Ortiz Jr, who can end the week on a high following the disappointment of Golden Pal on the opening day.

• Betting Tip - Campanelle each way @ 7/1 with Coral