2:30 Royal Ascot Tips

A cracking race to start the meeting and Rosallion looks to have a great chance in this competitive Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes. He is unbeaten in 2 runs at Ascot and usually travels very well in his races. With a clear run he can make use of his potent turn of foot to win this.

7/12 winning favorites, 9/12 top 3 in the betting. 7/12 ran in the Lockinge. 9/12 rated 112+ and 7/12 had won a G1 already. It's likely that the Lockinge form won by Lead Artist ends up being the key here. From that, the 3rd and 4th, Rosallion and Notable Speech, did incredibly well on their first runs of the season. Notable Speech traveled much the best until the final furlong or so when lack of fitness told. Considering Rosallion made 11/4 favorite on the back of that, 11/2 here has to be overpriced and is worth a go each way 4 places where he shouldn't be out of those.

High profile rematch of the Lockinge here and it’s no surprise to see them top 4 in the market. You can make clear cases for any of them, but whilst all or some of them will surely hit the frame, other form lines are brought into this that intrigue enough. Lake Forest looked a fairly punchy entry but this would be some step up in company, so I’m minded to chance Sardinian Warrior who was excellent over this track and trip when winning the trial here in April. Sent up in trip since to finish a good second to Sosie in France, he’s got the form to mix it with these types now. His time was sparkling off a strong pace, and with a lack of outright pace here it should pay to be with one on the speed. His time in that trip would have won pretty much all the renewals of this on similar ground in the last 2 years, and hopefully he can just catch them napping a bit and sneak some lengths and prove hard to peg back.

Diego Velazquez is overpriced at 16/1. Not shown any top form previously, but has won his last 2 races for Aiden O'Brien, who will know the competition. EW 4 places.

American Raider. The 5-year-old has 8 wins from 12, looking progressive and loves the fast ground. He has won three Grade 1 races from his last four starts. His last win was in April, after coming off a 6-month break, a cozy 4-length success, and it’s possible he’s still improving. His RPR ratings put him in the mix. Not here to make up the numbers and worth an each-way shout.

DOCKLANDS is the five year old more mature type with potential to peak ahead of this meeting third-up this year. He has excellent course form including winning at this time through a season and he is ground-versatile at this level marking him up. Sound each-way claims.