Saturday 24th 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 – CHESHAM STAKES
PEARLS AND RUBIES – 5/2
“No Nay Never filly for Aidan O’Brien who won what looked to be a decent maiden on her only outing so far at Navan earlier this morning, getting up by a neck from I Am Invictus. It’s likely that there is a whole host of improvement to come from her on the back of that and if that’s the case she’s got to be considered a very big player here for her powerhouse stable who have a fantastic record in this race.”
3.05 – JERSEY STAKES
THE ANTARCTIC – 6/1
“Another Aidan O’Brien runner for me in the second race on the card which is the Jersey Stakes, The Antarctic has already proved that he can cut it at the top-level having been placed twice behind Blackbeard in back-to-back Group 1s in the form of the Prix Morny and the Middle Park Stakes. He got his head in front on his second start of this campaign within Group 3 company last month and I think he’s got some of the strongest form on offer in this.”
3.40 – QUEEN ELIZABETH II JUBILEE STAKES
HIGHFIELD PRINCESS – 6/1
“Very admirable mare who represents the John Quinn who ran a belter in the King’s Stand on Tuesday and was arguably unlucky not to win, finishing a length second having not had a clear run at the winner. She’s clearly come out of that race very well if connections are pitching her in again here and if that’s the case I think she’s got a great chance, horses have had success trying dual races at the Royal Meeting in recent years.”
4.20 – HARDWICKE STAKES
FREE WIND – 11/4
“Five-year-old mare who’s trained by the Gosden’s and sports the silks of George Strawbridge and boasts a fine winning record coming into this race having won six of eight starts with the last three wins all coming within Group 2 company, the most recent coming at York last month when getting the better of Rogue Millenium who won the Duke Of Cambridge here earlier in the week. She’s got a few pounds to find on Hukum but she’s still progressing and has every chance of bridging that gap here under Frankie Dettori.”
5.00 – WOKINGHAM STAKES
ORAZIO – 13/2
“Charlie Hills trained runner who’s the mount of William Buick here and this is a horse who is very much on an upward trajectory for a stable that have become known as one of the best in the business when it comes to sprinters. He’s a course and distance winner who has won both starts this season, with his latest victory coming here in May when taking another competitive handicap in comfortable fashion. If he continues his current rate of progression he should be bang there again.”
5.35 – GOLDEN GATE STAKES
KNOCKBREX – 4/1 (NAP)
“The mount of Frankie Dettori here and I think that this Charlie Johnston trained four-year-old has a fantastic chance in what is another extremely competitive handicap here. He opened his account this season with an impressive success at Pontefract in April before finishing a length and three quarters behind the Queens Vase winner Gregory at Haydock in the same month, his most recent outing came at York in May when finishing fourth in another competitive handicap when just over two lengths behind the smart Chesspiece. He’ll contest this off the same mark and I think he’s highly progressive.”
6.10 – QUEEN ALEXANDRA STAKES
DAWN RISING – 10/3
“It’s the concluding race of the meeting and I think Joseph O’Brien could send punters home happy here with Dawn Rising who’s the mount of Ryan Moore. He’s a Grade 3 winner over hurdles and put in a fine run on the flat last month at Gowran Park when finishing third in Group 3 company. That was likely a prep run for this and I think he looks a lot less exposed as a six-year-old than some of his market rivals, the trip shouldn’t be an issue at all and if getting some luck in the run he’s got a great chance.”
