2024 Royal Ascot Key Horses & Verdicts - Tuesday
By Steven Bonnick - Day 1 of 5
Steven Bonnick is back for another year of Royal Ascot coverage, this time round sharing his key horses and verdicts for every race, every day.
By Steven Bonnick
Queen Anne Stakes Verdict: Big Rock should go very well here provided the ground is good or softer, and any rain that falls tips the balance further in his favour. Assuming the ground is good or better, Facteur Cheval should go close. Dolayli looks the most interesting outsider.
Coventry Stakes Verdict: Camille Pissarro sets a solid standard here, but he’s been well found at the head of the market. At the odds, Midnight Strike looks a value play to reverse that form. He should improve tons for that run and has basically nothing to find on both form and ratings. Al Qudra continues to improve and Cowardofthecounty looks a big threat to all.
King Charles III Stakes Verdict: A wide-open affair. Big Evs and, in particular, Regional are respected, but there’s every chance that Asfoora can notch another Royal Ascot win for Australia. She is top-rated according to Timeform and it might be that the strong pace plays into her hands the most; there was plenty to like about her recent effort in the Temple Stakes. Valiant Force still has untapped potential under these conditions and looks a fun outsider.
St James’s Palace Stakes Verdict: Notable Speech is the one to beat but in terms of value 6/4 looks short and there are better prices elsewhere. Henry Longfellow should improve but needs to and the current price of 4/1 looks about right. Rosallion looks the best balance of form and price, but all in all the top of the market looks about right. Alyanaabi could go well at big odds if he puts everything together here, while Unquestionable also likely has more to give.
Ascot Stakes Verdict: My Lyka is respected here but he is very much priced on connections. I’ll be taking a chance on three outsiders, all of which are double figure prices at the time of writing. The Very Man, and in particular Nusret and Divine Comedy, all have some nice angles in and can hopefully go well at the odds.
Wolferton Stakes Verdict: An unappealing race for betting purposes. Botanical has the potential to prove up to this level but Israr sets the standard and might be able to land a deserved win.
Copper Horse Handicap Verdict: An open contest but it might be worth taking a chance on My Mate Mozzie who is a good horse over jumps and has untapped potential on the level. His trainer is having a superb season and he might be able to add to that here.