Wednesday 21st June 2023
Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)
Welcome aboard to my Royal Ascot Preview for 2023 where I’ll be sharing my opinions on all of the action across the five-day meeting at the Berkshire track where we set to see some of the finest animals on the flat do battle. As ever, if you are punting throughout the week make sure to do it in a responsible manner. Good luck and enjoy!”
2.30 – QUEEN MARY STAKES
BEAUTIFUL DIAMOND – 5/1
“Karl Burke won this race recently with Dramatised and he could have another smart filly on his hand here with Beautiful Diamond who recently opened her account at the first time of asking in style at Nottingham, winning by three and a half lengths. She’s from a top sprinter in the form of Twilight Son who was a multiple Group 1 winner including at Royal Ascot when he won the Commonwealth Cup, and he could well have a smart offspring on his hands here.”
3.05 – KENSINGTON PALACE HANDICAP
YERWANTHERE – 8/1
“Irish raider for Joseph O’Brien who won her first two starts of her career last season as a two-year-old. She made her return to the track at Naas in May when finishing seventh of eleven within a listed event. The result doesn’t tell the full story on that occasion, she missed the break then didn’t get a clear passage when trying to challenge. If she gets a bit more luck here I think she still has considerable potential.”
3.40 – DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE STAKES
JUMBLY – 9/4 (NAP)
“Another Joseph O’Brien raider who was purchased for a large fee out of the Harry & Roger Charlton yard. He made a very solid start to life for his new connections on his most recent outing when returning from a lay-off to finish second of eight in a Curragh Group 2 to a race-fit rival. It’s almost certain that he’ll improve from that run and he’s a horse that already has form having won a Group 3 here in July of last year.”
4.20 – PRINCE OF WALES’S STAKES
LUXEMBOURG – 9/4
“Three-time Group 1 winning horse trained by the Ballydoyle maestro in Aidan O’Brien, whose last top-flight success came on his most recent outing at the Curragh where he defeated Bay Bridge in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, putting a disappointing reappearance run behind him. I think that this is a horse that has got star quality in abundance and there’s every chance he can keep progressing, if he’s anywhere near his best he’ll be very tough to beat.”
5.00 – ROYAL HUNT CUP
PEROTTO – 8/1
“Winner of the Britannia Stakes at the Royal Meeting a couple of years ago off a three-pound higher mark, now under the care of Roger Varian he looks like he’s been primed for a stab at this and you’d have to say he’s handicapped to go very well, should he get some luck in the run in this fiendishly competitive heritage handicap. He knows how to win these kinds of races though and I think he’s got a great chance.”
5.35 – QUEEN’S VASE
CHESSPIECE – 7/1
“Simon & Ed Crisford trained three-year-old who has recently been purchased by Godolphin following an impressive start to his racing career, which culminated with success in a competitive handicap at York’s Dante Meeting last month. He looks a highly progressive sort and I think he could be a tad overpriced in this at his current price of 7/1 at the time of writing. James Doyle looks set to take the ride and it could well be a profitable one.”
6.10 – WINDSOR CASTLE STAKES
MAXIMUM IMPACT – 7/1
“Havana Grey colt who sports the Amo Racing silks and is trained by Alice Haynes with Kevin Stott taking the ride here. He’s a horse that has impressed me on both of his starts to date when winning on both occasions, he bolted up at Leicester on his racecourse debut and showed a nice attitude when knuckling down to win over course and distance at the Trials Meeting. I think if he was trained by a bigger yard he’d be a shorter price here as he comes into the race with a very live chance.”
