Royal Ascot gets underway at 2.30 p.m. today with the Queen Anne Stakes, a fascinating Group 1 race over the straight mile. DOCKLANDS did this column a good turn this time last year when winning this contest after being put up at 25-1. Although he is not going to be anything like those odds this time, I am going to stay loyal to this likeable six-year-old.
Admittedly this year’s contest is a hotter event than a year ago and the likes of Notable Speech, Opera Ballo and More Thunder are officially rated superior to trainer Harry Eustace’s course specialist. However, Docklands overcame both a slow start and his rider dropping his whip in last year’s race, and he comes into the meeting in good form.
With strong course form counting for a lot at Ascot, back Docklands 1 point each way at 9-1 with William Hill, paying three places and already Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG).
Another horse to do this column a good turn on the opening day of Royal Ascot a year ago was AMERICAN AFFAIR when he won the King Charles III Stakes, having been put up at 16-1.
With the likely front runners drawn high in the shape of Overpass (stall 19) and Jakajaro (stall 23), this year’s race (3.40 p.m.) could be set up perfectly once again for Jim Goldie’s runner coming out of stall 18. Back American Affair 1 point each way at 8-1 with William Hill, paying five places and BOG.
Even though he has a seemingly impossible chance on official ratings, I am going to go into the King Charles III Stakes double handed with JAKAJARO too. I think that, with Jamie Spencer back in the saddle, he could prove hard to peg back if he breaks quickly and grabs the rail. Back him 1 point each way at 25-1 with William Hill, paying five places and BOG.
I am a great fan of both trainer Jonny Portman and his crack sprinter Rumstar and, if horses drawn low end up being favoured, I can see Rumstar running a huge race. However, a duo of horses in a single race is more than enough and so he will have to go unbacked.
Moving on to day two tomorrow, I would have been very sweet on the chances of OOLONG POOBONG in the Kensington Palace Stakes (5.35 p.m.) if the word ‘soft’ had appeared in the going description but that is not going to happen.
However, trainer Ed Bethell’s runner ran a big race at the royal meeting a year ago when fourth to Never Let Go in the Sandringham Stakes on ‘good to firm’ so she is far from being totally ground dependent. Back Ooolong Poobong 1 point each way at 12-1 with bet365, paying six places.
One horse I am keen to back at Royal Ascot this year is OUTBACK HEAT for the Jeff Smith/Harry Eustace owner/trainer combination. There was plenty to like about his win in a decent handicap at Ascot over a mile in early May and this lightly-raced, three-year-old gelding has bags of potential to be better than his official mark of 91.
Outback Heat is likely to go over the same course and distance in the Britannia Stakes on Thursday (4.50 p.m.). But, to complicate things, he also has an entry in Saturday’s Golden Gates Stakes (5.35 p.m.) over ten furlongs. His breeding suggests that he will get that trip in time.
On balance, in case he takes up his Saturday option, I am going to put up Outback Heat 1 point each way at Starting Price for the Britannia Stakes, going with the bookmaker which offers the most places on the day – probably Sky Bet or Paddy Power.
I have already put up three ante-post bets for the royal meeting which you can see in my column that was posted last Friday. I will be back as usual this coming Friday for my thoughts on the last two days of Royal Ascot but, in the meantime, happy punting.
Pending:
1 point each way Docklands at 9-1 BOG for the Queen Anne Stakes, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places.
1 point each way American Affair at 8-1 BOG for the King Charles III Stakes, paying 1/5th odds, 5 places.
1 point each way Jakajaro at 25-1 BOG for the King Charles III Stakes, paying 1/5th odds, 5 places.
1 point each way Rogue Diplomat at 25-1 for the Royal Hunt Cup, paying ¼ odds, 4 places.
1 point each way Oolong Poobong at 12-1 for the Kensington Palace Stakes, paying 1/5th odds, 6 places.
1 point each way Rahiebb at 14-1 for the Ascot Gold Cup, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places.
1 point each way Outback Heat at SP for the Kensington Palace Stakes, paying 1/5th odds, most places.
1 point each way Sayidah Dariyan at 50-1 for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, paying 1/5th odds, 3 places.
Last weekend: – 4 points.
1 point each way Aalto at 11-2 for the Supporting Macmillan Handicap, paying 1/5th odds, 5 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
1 point each way Golden Brown at 18-1 for the Supporting Macmillan Sprint Handicap, paying 1/5th odds, 6 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.
2026 flat season running total: – 15.825 points.
2025-26 jumps season: – 57.785 points
2025 flat season: + 84.12 points on all tips.
2024-5 jumps season: – 47.61 points on all tips.
2024 flat season: + 41.4 points on all tips.
2023-4 jumps season: + 42.01 points on all tips.
2023 flat season: – 48.22 points on all tips.
2022-3 jumps season: + 54.3 points on all tips.
Total for seven full seasons of tipping: + 68.215 points
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