Royal Ascot is back for another action-packed day and our expert tipster has cast his eye over every race to give you his analysis and views of the highest quality horse racing anywhere in the world.
Royal Ascot Day Two
Wednesday 16th June
Ascot, Berkshire
Live on ITV
This is the meeting where all trainers and jockeys want to get at least one winner. Whether you are Aiden O’Brien or Ryan Moore or one of the less-heralded jockey and trainer combinations, this is a meeting where everyone wants a piece of the action.
We have the best horse racing odds available at NetBet and as ever, the five days at Royal Ascot look as difficult as ever to predict.
So, with a tough second day in prospect, let’s take a closer look at what our expert tipster has picked and get the latest horse racing tips for day two.
2.30pm – Queen Mary Stakes – 5f
This is a quick dash down the famous straight of Ascot. This race is only for two-year-olds, some of which go on to be the best sprinters in Europe.
With 21 runners, this represents a very tough race to predict. We like Artos, ridden by Frankie Dettori. The charismatic Italian got his meeting off to flyer yesterday and this American-trained horse showed plenty of speed to win at Churchill Downs.
His biggest threat could be Illustrating. She won very impressively on her only run at Catterick and will love the ground.
Tip: ARTOS – 6/1
Danger: Illustrating – 17/2
3.05pm – Queen’s Vase – 1m6f
This is one of the long distance races at the meeting and it requires a horse to show plenty of battling qualities as well as touch of class.
That horse could well be Aiden O’Brien’s Wordsworth. A lightly-raced three-year-old, he shaped as if this longer trip will suit him and can improve again under Ryan Moore.
We always like to pick out horses at longer odds and we we think that has an each-way squeak is Benaud. Trained by O’Brien’s son, Joseph, he has won his last two races and looks like he could run into a place.
Tip: WORDSWORTH – 5/2
Each-way: Benaud – 16/1
3.40pm – Duke of Cambridge Stakes – 1m
This is one of the newest races in the Royal Ascot calendar and also just for fillies and mares as the younger females take on the older ones.
Sir Michael Stoute is one of the greatest British trainers of the past 40 years and we think his Queen Power is the bet of the day. She is five-years-old but hasn’t had many races and still looks to be getting better. She won her last race in good style at York and will love the ground.
Lady Bowthorpe is the favourite and she can give a selection the hardest race. She was second to the mighty Palace Pier last time and a repeat of that run will see her challenge.
Tip: QUEEN POWER – 9/2
Danger: Lady Bowthorpe – 11/4
4.20pm – Prince of Wales’s Stakes – 1m2f
This race is one of the most prestigious in the British Flat Racing calendar and the class is definitely shining through when you take a look at the runners and riders.
Although only six runners go to post, there are all high-class horses. Aiden O’Brien dominates this contest and we think Love will win this middle-distance race in style. She swept all before her as a three-year-old, winning the Oaks at Epsom and now has her first race this campaign.
Audarya will pose the biggest danger to Love. She won at the Breeders Cup last season and has a touch of class.
Tip: LOVE – 4/5
Danger – Audarya – 8/1
5pm – Royal Hunt Cup – 1m
This is arguably the toughest race of the week to pick from and we will try and navigate you through this charge down the long, lush straight of Ascot.
Bigger prices can win this race but normally an improving sort with a touch of class does well and on that note, we think Finest Sound is a cracking bet. Andrea Atzeni is one of the top jockeys in the UK and he steered this horse to victory at Haydock last time. At 10/1, we think he has sound claims.
The danger is Astro King. He beat our selection narrowly earlier on in the season but is worse off at the weights. He will be there or thereabouts though.
Tip: FINEST SOUND – 10/1
Danger: Astro King – 6/1
5.35pm – Windsor Castle Stakes – 5f
Another big field as the second day draws to a close and it is set to be another mad dash across the heath. With 27 runners to choose from, there are two that stand out to us.
Dig Two is our pick, but only just! He has won his last two races readily and showed plenty of speed and staying power. He will love the ground and James Doyle is in the saddle.
The big threat comes from the American-trained Ruthin. This two-year-old but our selection for the day’s first race easily on his only run and has Dettori’s expertise to call upon.
Tip: DIG TWO – 13/2
Danger: Ruthin – 2/1
6.10pm – Kensington Palace Stakes – 1m
The final race of what is sure to be a thrilling day two is the Kensington Palace Stakes. Eighteen runners line-up and it is another fiendishly difficult race to call.
Our tentative pick is Lights On. The old combination of Stoute and Moore team up with this horse who has won on both occasions this season. He beat Dreamloper here last time, so acts at the track.
Ffion will provide the biggest rivalry to Lights On. She has only had four races in her life but hasn’t finished outside the first two and the step up in trip will suit.
Tip: LIGHTS ON – 7/1
Danger: Ffion – 15/2
*Odds subject to change.
