Thursday 22nd 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 – NORFOLK STAKES
AMERICAN RASCAL – 5/1
“American raider who’s trained by Wesley Ward who’s sired by one of the greatest American horses of the 2000s in Curlin. American Rascal arrives having just the one run to date and that was a ten-and-a-half-length demolition job at Keeneland back in April. He looks to be a seriously exciting prospect for a trainer who has unleashed real talent at this meeting over recent years. If breaking well he could prove very hard to peg back.”
3.05 – KING GEORGE V STAKES
BERTINELLI – 7/1
“Winner of the London Gold Cup on his most recent outing which came last month at Newbury, that was also an extremely competitive handicap and whilst he’s been raised five pounds for a neck victory he comes here with invaluable experience of winning a race of this nature. I think that there could be more to come from him too and you’d discount any Aidan O’Brien runner at your own peril. Ryan Moore is on board and he comes up with a very live chance if he turns up in the same form.
3.40 – RIBBLESDALE STAKES
AL ASIFAH – 4/5 (NAP)
“Unbeaten filly who sports the Shadwell Silks for John & Thady Gosden and she’s looked a seriously exciting prospect in her opening two starts. She opened her account at Haydock when winning by just shy of five lengths and then followed up 10 days ago at Goodwood when taking a listed event by ten and a half lengths in what was a breathtaking display. This Frankel filly looks to have the world at her feet and if progressing again she could be very tough to beat.”
4.20 – ASCOT GOLD CUP
COLTRANE – 7/2
“Very progressive stayer for Andrew Balding who’s partnered up once more with Oisin Murphy here, he won the Ascot Stakes at the Royal Meeting and has since progressed into one of the best stayers in the business. He won the Doncaster Cup and then signed off for the season when denied a head by Trueshan on Champions Day. He returned to the track on Trials Day here in May and bolted in by seven lengths in the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes, I think he’s the one they all have to beat and should potentially be a bit shorter in the betting.”
5.00 – BRITANNIA STAKES
PANIC ALARM – 25/1
“Jessica Harrington trained runner who’s the mount of Ronan Whelan here and I think he could potentially be overlooked in the betting. On his first run of the season, he was just two and a quarter lengths behind Paddington in a Naas handicap, and that rival was second favourite the St James Palace Stakes, and on his most recent outing he was fourth of eleven in a listed race at Naas, just under two lengths behind the winner. His mark also looks fair and he could well outrun huge odds here.”
5.35 – HAMPTON COURT STAKES
TORITO – 9/2
“This is another selection who represents the team of John & Thady Gosden and another horse who looks a potentially exciting prospect. Sporting the silks of George Strawbridge, Torito was last seen when comfortably taking out a competitive handicap on Derby Day at Epsom earlier in the month. He keeps his partnership with Benoit De La Sayette here and it’s very likely that there is a lot more to come from this Kingman colt.”
6.10 – BUCKINGHAM PALACE STAKES
BIGGLES – 10/1
“Six-year-old Zoffany gelding for Ralph Beckett who’s the mount of Ryan Moore here and he’s a horse that has developed into an ultra-consistent sort within competitive handicaps. He’s placed in both starts so far this term, with his most recent run coming when finishing second over course and distance in the Victoria Cup back in May. He’ll contest this race off the same mark and if getting some luck in the run he looks like a very solid option.”
