Royal Ascot: Saturday Best Bets
All good things must come to an end, and Saturday afternoon sees the curtain come down on another spectacular Royal Ascot Festival. One of the hottest sprints on the planet takes centre stage on the closing day in what looks to be an enthralling Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, but this is a quality card from top to bottom. Here we pick out our best bets on this sizzling Saturday of racing action.
Best Win Bets
Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes: Artorius
The Aussie raiders have plundered this prize twice in the current century, and we fancy the pot may be heading down under once more in 2023. With the home challenge led by Highfield Princess - who could manage only sixth in the race last year - this could be there for the taking for one of the overseas contingent.
Wellington looks dangerous for Hong Kong-based Richard Gibson, but the Anthony & Sam Freedmnan-trained Artorius boasts the most compelling claims. Third in the race twelve months ago, he looked like an unlucky loser to our eyes. Having been crowded out and forced to switch around horses, he then finished to great effect to go down by under a length. Granted a clearer passage this time around, he may prove tough to stop.
- Recommended Bet - Artorius to win @ 4/1 with BetUK
Queen Alexandra Stakes: Run For Oscar
It would be some performance if the Willie Mullins-trained ten year old Stratum were to win this for the third year in a row. Given the unique 2m5½f trip, he can’t be ruled out - despite his advancing years - but we suspect he may come up just short, having shown little in four starts since last year's success.
The one to be on is the Charles Byrne-trained Run For Oscar. Landing a famous success in the Cesarewitch last season, the manner in which he powered clear at the end of that 2m2f event suggested that this step up in trip could be well within range – with that fact he was won over 2m6f over obstacles lending further weight to that theory. Fit and well following a recent outing over an inadequate 1m4f, he looks worth backing to stay on best of all.
- Recommended Bet - Run For Oscar to win @ 4/1 with Coral
Each Way Picks
Chesham Stakes: Carolina Reaper
Sired by Too Darn Hot, and named after one of the fieriest peppers on the planet, Carolina Reaper didn’t exactly scorch the turf on her recent debut, but she did more than enough to go straight into our notebook. Giving the field a good head start when rearing up in the stalls, she then seemed clueless when faced with Beverley’s turning track. All of which is perfectly forgivable on her first career start, and we loved the way she sprouted wings in the straight to hit the line strongly in fourth. The horse to finish fifth that day has since come out and won, lending a little substance to the form.
This is a big step up in class, but the Johnston team have recorded three wins and a stream of places in this race, so know the type required to succeed. Nicely bred for the task at hand, we can't resist an each-way punt at a huge 50/1 with bet365, with the firm paying out on the first four.
- Recommended Bet - Carolina Reaper each way to win @ 50/1 with bet365
Wokingham Stakes: Albasheer
The big handicap of the day looks like the ideal race for another each-way punt at a big price. William Haggas’s Khanjar is the obvious one but is into 10/1 now, and a better value option is Albasheer from the yard of the shrewd Archie Watson.
This horse has clearly had his issues but was a hugely promising juvenile – finishing ahead of the likes of Chindit and subsequent Guineas hero Poetic Flare in the 2020 Dewhurst. Hitting a peak rating of 110 in 2021, injury then saw him off the track for 582 days. Understandably in need of the run on his comeback at Thirsk, he then ran well when not beaten far in a Listed event at Salisbury. Now down to a mark of 98 and with his fitness returning, it would be no surprise if a shot at this had been plotted for a while.
The final tick in the box comes in the shape of jockey Jamie Spencer, who is just about the best in the business in these big field handicaps. Betway are paying out on a generous eight places, and whilst bigger odds are available elsewhere, that looks the way to go.
- Recommended Bet - Albasheer each way @ 33/1 with Betway
Top 20 Betting Offers
*New UK customers only. Min Stake: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football, Horse Racing, Tennis, Cricket or Basketball multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. Earn a £30 Uber Eats Voucher on successful Acca qualification. Debit Card deposit only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. 18+ GambleAware.org. Bet the Responsible Way. Full Terms apply |
|||||
New customers online only. Valid with code B10G50 on registration. Bet min £/€10 at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £/€10 Win + £/€10 Place) within 7 days of registration. Receive £/€20 Tote Credit, £/€10 Sports Bet, 2 x £/€5 Sports Acca and 50 Free Spins. 7-day expiry. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool or sports bet added to the bet-slip. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. |
|||||
18+ New customers only. Opt in and bet up to £40 (min. £20) via mobile or app on any football (odds 1/1+) within 7 days of registration. Get up to £40 in free bets on selected markets, which expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly |
|||||
18+ New Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. 1st Deposit & Bet £/€10+ at min odds 1/2 on Sports within 14 days of account reg & Get 4x £10 Free Bets (selected sportsbook markets only, valid 7 days) Max 1 Free Bet per player. Restrictions + T&Cs apply. |
|||||
New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 football, 1 x £10 horse racing & 2 x £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply. |
|||||
New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply. |
|||||
18+. BeGambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Min £10 debit card deposit. Place a £10+ bet at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days. Opt in for £20 sports free bet and £20 Casino Bonus. Valid for 7 days. Geographical restrictions and T&C’s apply. #AD |
|||||
18+. New customers only. Deposit and place first bet of £20 or more at min odds Evens (2.0). Get £20 in Free Bets credited as x1 £10 Free Bet and x2 £5 Bet Builder Free BetsT&Cs Apply. Please gamble responsibly. |
|||||
18+ New customers only. Min deposit £20. Min Wager £20 at min odds 1/1 (2.0). Max free bet £20. T&Cs apply begambleaware. |
|||||
18+ New customers only. Place a £5+ bet at minimum odds of 1/1 (2.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get £25 in Free Sports Bets + 50 Free Spins (valued at £0.10 each), valid for 7 days on selected bets and games. Free stake not returned with winnings. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org |
|||||
#AD | Welcome bonus for new players only | Maximum bonus is 100% up to £100 | Min. deposit is £10 | No max cash out | Wagering is 40x bonus | Maximum bet with an active bonus is £5 | Eligibility is restricted for suspected abuse | Skrill & Neteller deposits excluded for welcome bonus | Cashback when offered, applies to deposits where no bonus is included | Cashback is cash with no restrictions | T&C's apply |Free bet: Min odds: 2.0 - Free bet value will be deducted from free bet winnings | 18+ | BeGambleAware.org | Gambling is addictive, please gamble responsibly! |
|||||
*New members only. £10+ bet on sportsbook (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days on sportsbook only. 2x£5 Free Bets for Bet Builder only. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org. 18+ |
|||||
18+. New UK & ROI customers only . Certain deposit methods & bet types excl . Min first £10 win or E/W bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 & get 4 x £10 free bets . Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + T&C apply |
|||||
New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, payment method exclusions apply; New customers only. T&C apply; 18+ Please gamble responsibly. |
|||||
18+. Play Safe. Online only. For new UK register customers using promo code G40. Deposit & place £10 cash single bet (min odds 1/2) on sportsbook (excl. Virtuals). Get £40 in Free Bets (4x£10), valid for sportsbook (excl. Virtuals), 7 days expiry, must use in full (£10 each). Not valid with deposits via PayPal, Neosurf, Paysafe, Apple Pay, NETELLER, Skrill, ecoPayz, Kalibra/Postpay or WH PLUS Card. One per customer. Full T&Cs apply. www.gambleaware.org #ad |
|||||
18+. BeGambleAware.org. New customers only. Min. £10 deposit, debit card only. Up to 50x wagering, game contributions vary, max. stake applies, 7 day expiry. See full terms. #AD |
|||||
New customers place a £10 fixed odds bet at minimum odds of 1/2. Get 2 x £10 free bets. 18+ begambleaware |
|||||
18+ | New Customers Only | Promo Code: WELCOME10 | Place a single £10 bet within 3 calendar days of registration. Bet must settle on the same day of placement | Min odds Evens (2.00) | Get 2 x £5 UK/Irish Horse Racing Free Bets + 2 x £5 Football Free Bets | Free Bets valid for 7 days | Max win £250 | T&Cs apply | GB residents only | Gamble responsibly |
|||||
New Customers use code EPL10. Deposit £10 and place a bet of £10 on any Premier League Outrights 2025/26 market at minimum odds of 2.0. Free Bet credited within 24 hours and must be wagered on English Premier League markets only. Full Terms apply. Bangers N'Cash rewards are a separate promotional scheme and must be opted into during the weekly promotional period via the BetWright Rewards Section. 18+ begambleaware. |
|||||
T&Cs apply. 18+ New customers only. You must place a single win-only bet of £10 or more with odds of evens (2.00) or greater to qualify. Money back as £10 in free bets. Free bet is credited the day after the qualifying bet has settled. Must use code B10G10 when creating an account. |