Tuesday 18th June 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (@jordan_yates_)
2.30: Queen Anne Stakes: We kick things off for the 2024 Royal Ascot meeting at 2.30 on Tuesday with the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes over a mile. I’m chancing one at a big price in this and that’s Maljoom for William Haggas and Tom Marquand. He’s very lightly raced for a five-year-old but has some smart form in his younger days, notably when winning the German 2000 Guineas and finishing a desperately unlucky fourth in the 2022 St James’s Palace Stakes. He was third in the trial for this race last month and if building on that run in this he has every chance of outrunning his odds, in a race that looks wide open. Maljoom – 14/1 (Each-Way)
3.05: Coventry Stakes: Next up is the 3.05 which is the Group 2 Coventry Stakes that’s contested over six furlongs. I’m with Camille Pissarro here for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. He’s a Wootton Bassett colt who was narrowly beaten by a head on his latest outing which came in Group 3 company at the Curragh back in May. That was just his second start to date and he will have learned a great deal from that run, there should be a lot more to come. Camille Pissarro – 6/1 (Each-Way)
3.45: King Charles III Stakes: The afternoon’s third race comes up at 3.45 and that’s the Group 1 King Charles II Stakes over five furlongs. I’m with the rock-solid Big Evs here for the team of Michael Appleby and Tom Marquand. He receives a weight allowance from a lot of his rivals here and looked to retain all of his ability from last season on his seasonal reappearance at York last month when winning a Listed event in comfortable enough fashion. He should also be a lot more tuned up for that run here and I think he has every chance of adding another Group 1 success to his CV. Big Evs – 9/2 (Win)
4.25: St James’s Palace Stakes: It’s more Group 1 action at 4.25 with the St James’s Palace Stakes taking centre-stage over a mile. I find it hard to see past Notable Speech at the top of the market here for Charlie Appleby and William Buick. He’s unbeaten in all four of his starts to date with his most recent victory coming when winning the Guineas in very impressive style at Newmarket last month. He looks to have the world at his feet and if progressing again from that Guineas success he could prove very tough to beat. Notable Speech – 11/10 (Win) (NAP)
5.05: Ascot Stakes: We move into handicap action at 5.05 with the Ascot Stakes which is a Heritage Handicap over two miles and four furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Tritonic here for Alan King and Rossa Ryan. He was third in this race last year off a five-pound higher mark and has shown signs that he’s returning to form on his two outings so far this season. If he returns to the level of form that he showed in last year’s renewal of the contest he’s got every chance of playing a part again at the business end of things. Tritonic – 14/1 (Each-Way)
5.40: Wolferton Stakes: My final selection of the day comes in the 5.40 which is the Listed Wolferton Stakes over a mile and two furlongs. I’m with Israr here for John & Thady Gosden who’s the mount of Jim Crowley. He’s a tricky customer but has significant ability and posted another solid effort on his most recent start when second to the highly progressive Passenger in the Group 2 Huxley Stakes at Chester last month. This represents an ease in grade for him and if he puts his best foot forward he should be tough to beat. Israr – 7/2 (Win) (NB)
