5:00 Royal Ascot Tips

I have been with this horse for some time and like to stick with him as I see him developing into a Group-level performer in the future. He has been given plenty of time to mature, making his racecourse debut only at three years old, but already showing plenty of class. He broke his maiden when stepped up to a mile on the all-weather, romping home by 13 lengths before scoring again at seasonal reappearance in a canter over this course and distance. Upped 10 pounds since then, and despite a slow start, he needed every inch to beat subsequent Nottingham winner Boyfriend last time out at Newbury. Another 5-pound penalty won’t make things easier, but the stiff finish and a wide draw will play to his strengths over this straight course. Worth following at around 9/2.

The Liffey is the most unexposed horse in the field. He had three runs for A P O'Brien, winning two of them, but was then gelded last summer and switched to Joseph O'Brien. Returning after 350 days off, unfancied in a 7f Listed race at Naas, finishing a never nearer 4th. Ryan Moore takes the ride, which is a hint in itself.

The Balding & Murphy combination are in fine form of late and are hard to overlook with the King Power Racing owned Fox Legacy. Only had 8 starts winning twice and runner up once. Twice ridden on the all weather when unplaced and twice finding 12f a distance too far. Moved from the all conquering Sir Michael Stoute yard on his retirement and on seasonal/yard debut he won very nicely on the drop back to 9f. They will go flat out for this mile, so the ability to stay slightly further can help and with 6 places on offer he looks an outstanding each way touch.

Sent off 5/1 fav for the Victoria cup here at Ascot in May but got chinned on the line. Has good ascot form and has a good turn of pace and must be a solid place option at 10/1.

Bullet Point can go well in this ultra-competitive Hunt Cup. He has won his last 3 races comfortably and gone up the weights accordingly, but he looks like a large imposing horse who should be able to take on the extra pounds without too much impact. His sire is Advertise who won the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and also finished second in a big field in the Coventry, so he has a nice profile for this.

EPICTETUS is by Kingman a sire who produces many who perform well at this meeting. This Ex-Gosden trained racer is beginning to look well treated and there was something to like about his seasonal reappearnce. With that run likely to have set him straight and Saffie Osborne riding the straight course better than many this five year old possibly now at his peak could have a say.

Arabian Light has only had six runs but has won three of those and placed in the others and with a good return last month to a third I think he could improve on that now second up EW 6P

The Kevin Ryan trained Sisyphean is a 4yo Dubawi colt who has 2 wins and 2 places from 9 starts.This 30 runner race is a bit of a nightmare with plenty of chances. I have backed Sisyphean because he is a front runner and from stall 13 I think he will be up with the pace likely set by Silawi coming out of 14 and should be staying on at the end for 1 of the 6 places paid.

TOKENOMICS runs for an Irish trainer who won this race seven years ago. The profile of that runner was similar as an improver and this racer is said to have a big frame needing time having missed his juvenile campaign. No doubt trainer and owners delighted to get in this race from a British mark of 94 and he rates a player.

In the each way market, this is perhaps a risky proposition given his recent form, but I can’t resist having a small interest in Ancient Rome. Previously trained by Andre Fabre in France and clearly well regarded, he showed decent form for his new yard last season, including a runner-up effort in a Group 2 over this course and distance. He also ran a strong third in a Group 1 at Colonial Downs before finishing a respectable fourth in the Darley Stakes. This year, he has yet to fire, finishing well beaten in three starts, including at Group 1 level. However, his handicap mark has dropped quickly as a result, and if he has built some fitness since his run at Newbury in May, he could bounce back now dropped into handicap company. Jamie Spencer, who excels on the Ascot straight course, is back in the saddle, and that could make a real difference. At around 22/1 with bookies offering six places, I’m happy to take a small each way chance.

Possible question mark for URBAN LION is if he can turn it around quickly after the win at the weekend but I think if connections are happy and let him run then I'm happy to have some chips down as he's clearly improving and could have more to find.

The 5yo has not been over-raced but he can be a little hit or miss. Useful on his day, placed in both a Group 3 and Group 1 race previously. Back from an 8 month break with a nice run last month and hopefully he can build on that effort, a close 2nd or 13 in the decent Thirsk Hunt Cup handicap, posting a big RPR rating and he runs off the same mark in handicap. He was rated 10lb higher at the start of last year.

Good yard/seasonal debut over 10f last time out, making all. Carries penalty here and is in much deeper waters but could take a step forward dropped to a stiff 8f based on his older form. Especially if able to lead off a steady pace.

Popmaster would be more of an each-way chance at his current odds. He's up against some younger rivals who may be more progressive but this horse has been running well still. Signs of better form on his last 4 runs, good effort on his most recent run and he could be slightly better suited by todays slightly longer distance. He has run well at this course previously, handles all types of ground conditions.

Runner-up twice over further last month before disappointing at Epsom over their extended mile when last seen where the undulating track may not have suited. He is 8 times a winner in a 62 race career, with 5 of those wins over this trip and could be each way value at a decent price.

Finished 4th in the guineas in 2023 went to Australia at the end of that campaign before returning this year and Finished an encouraging 5th in the Lincoln on his reappearance. Didn't run quite as well at Newmarket last time out possibly not staying, drops back to the mile here and the angle I like is he has been kept away from Firm ground since he won on it as a 2 year old , this being the first time he has run on ground with firm on it since then

It is easy enough to look elsewhere but SEAN could bounce back to form in this larger field, after finishing 5th (of 5) to Socialite at Windsor 3 weeks ago. He has placed three times in eight runs (38%) over 1 mile & has placed once in two runs (50%) here at Ascot. One to watch.

Whip Cracker is drawn out wide which I'm not sure is ideal so that is a concern but, it would be possible to run well from this wide draw over this course and distance. Arrives after a much better effort when finishing 2nd over 1mile last time out, he wasn't the best away from the stalls so the run can be upgraded slightly. He's into a better race today so will need to find a bit of improvement but, he usually follows up 1 good run with another so I'm not ruling out a good run. I'll take a chance and make him today's NAP but it's not a strong NAP selection. Many, many runners in this race, luck will be needed and quite a few will be unlucky as they probably won't get a clear run.

Toimy Son was noted making headway and keeping on at Royal Ascot two seasons ago when he raced in the 7 furlongs Buckingham Palace Stakes, finishing third of six in his group. That trip was not far enough as he showed when an excellent third of 31 in the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket in September. A big field and straight track suits. Toimy Son has won on fast ground. The horse has been ridden by an apprentice in both outings this season but today he is partnered by the in-form Callum Shepherd.

A huge price to get amongst the 6 places on offer. Decent trainer and decent jockey, the right age, matches profiles of previous winners in pedigree and RPR ratings, drawn in 24 is not a bad thing and will have the stamina when plenty have cried enough. Always a big bonus at this stiff track. Loads of plusses for a 100/1 shot