Royal Ascot

Queen Mary Stakes (Fillies' Group 2)

Sky Bet paying 6 places instead of 3

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Leovanni

Mighty Eriu

Maw Lam

Plenty of potential as expected for a 2-y-o event at Royal Ascot but the 2 who have created the deepest impression are MAKE HASTE and Truly Enchanting. The former could be called the winner a long way out at Naas so is narrowly preferred to Truly Enchanting, who looked potentially smart when powering away at Tipperary. Wesley Ward has won this 4 times since 2009 and he's represented this time by Ultima Grace, who was impressive at Keeneland and has the potential to rate much higher.

Queen's Vase (Group 2)

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Illinois

Highbury

Birdman

Plenty of lightly-raced budding stayers tackling this sort of test for the first time line up and it's HIGHBURY who looks the most persuasive option having bolted up in a Leopardstown maiden (strong form) last month. He can provide Aidan O'Brien with an eighth success in this race at the expense of stablemate Illinois, who found only subsequent Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly too strong last time, while Birdman, who beat the selection on debut, rounds off the shortlist. 

Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (Fillies' & Mares' Group 2) (Rnd)

Sky Bet paying 4 places instead of 3

Running Lion

Laurel

Doom

Low-mileage mare LAUREL has been absent since finishing down the field in the Lockinge 13 months ago but she'd looked one to keep firmly on side in landing 3 of her 4 previous starts. All the more significant her leading connections opt to keep her in training as a 5-y-o, she's selected to enhance her good record fresh and strike. Last year's winner Rogue Millennium had little go right on return/yard debut and is feared. Ocean Jewel and Breege are others to consider.

Prince Of Wales's Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Auguste Rodin

Zarakem

Horizon Dore

INSPIRAL is sure to be all the better for her reappearance and the style of her win at Santa Anita back in November strongly suggests she still has unfinished business at this trip, so she's narrowly preferred to Auguste Rodin, who took a big step back in the right direction when runner-up in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh last time. Royal Rhyme could be the one to fill the places on just his second try at the top level. 

Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Str)

Sky Bet paying 8 places instead of 4

Wild Tiger

Sonny Liston

Perotto

Daysofourlives

BESHTANI showed that he's still improving when an excellent second at Epsom on return and, with that form having been boosted by the winner since, he gets the vote to go one better at the possible expense of Wild Tiger, who is progressing fast. Sonny Liston is another big player and Real Gain still has some potential intact. 

Kensington Palace Stakes Fillies' Handicap (Str)

Sky Bet paying 7 places instead of 4

Doha

Hopeful

Victoria Falls

Rowayeh

Having looked a handicapper going places last spring, ELIM had a year off the track but with her reappearance chock-full of promise, she's fancied to build on that for her up-and-coming stable. Summer of Love and Doha are low-mileage 4-y-os for excellent yards so they demand respect, while Azahara Palace's much-improved showing at Leicester marks her down as another interesting contender.

Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed)

Sky Bet paying 5 places instead of 3

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Ain't Nobody

Gabaldon

Aviation Time

TREASURE ISLE recorded a useful performance at Naas last month and is taken to provide the Aidan O'Brien/Ryan Moore combination with a fourth win in this since 2015. Richard Fahey's juveniles have been going well and Shadow Army looked a nice prospect when edging out a subsequent French listed winner on his York debut in May. The selection's stablemate Celtic Chieftain and sole filly Aviation Time, who looked unlucky at Beverley recently, complete the shortlist. 

Royal Ascot Racecards Wednesday 19th June 2024