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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Tony Paley and Greg Wood at Royal Ascot

Royal Ascot: Frankie Dettori rides two more winners on day four – as it happened

Ascot (Organization) Frankie Dettori Royal Ascot Native Trail Henry Nicholls Tahiyra AFPGetty Images
Frankie Dettori celebrates winning the Sandringham Stakes on Coppice.
Frankie Dettori celebrates winning the Sandringham Stakes on Coppice. Photograph: James Marsh/Shutterstock

Reports, reaction and more

Is Frankie really quitting?

Frankie Dettori is making all the headlines again and the question on everybody’s lips is “why is he retiring?” There have been hints from people reading between the lines that the Italian is leaving the door open for a reversal of his decision to quit at the end of the year. He had another two winners today and no matter what happens on the final day tomorrow it’s going to go down as a special year for him once again given his triumph in the highlight of the meeting, the Gold Cup. His son, Leo, was there and told ITV Racing’s Rishi Persad that his dad will “retire at the top”. A lot of people are going to believe it when they see it. Tomorrow, by the way, he rides the horse Charlie Johnston said was his stable’s horse to follow for the season. Knockbrex will be Dettori’s very last runner at Royal Ascot as it stands. He was a big eyecatcher at York last time and I had him down as a cracking bet at Glorious Goodwood after that. It’s Frankie’s final ride at the royal meeting and I have a feeling Charlie knew when he booked the jockey last week.

Updated

Prince of Holyrood Handicap (6.10pm) result

1 Rhythm N Hooves 12/1
2 Kerdos 11/1
3 Conquistador 8/1
4 Radio Goo Goo 10/1

Updated

Prince of Holyrood Handicap (6.10pm)

And they’re off … without Danger Alert who was withdrawn at the start … Prince of Pillo is prominent … Rhythm N Hooves comes through late to win and catches Kerdos near the finish.

Praying for a winner!
Praying for a winner! Photograph: James Marsh/Shutterstock

Updated

Prince of Holyrood Handicap (6.10pm) preview

One of the most recent additions to the Royal Ascot roster, dating back only to the behind-closed-doors Covid meeting in 2020, with a full field of three-year-old sprinters poised to hurtle down the straight five furlongs and cases to be made for at least a dozen of them. An ideal “getting out” race, in other words, and the kind of event when the best option is probably an each-way dabble at a massive price. My two shillings – or one shilling each-way with a bookie paying five places – will ride with Prince Of Pillo, who was useful as a juvenile, when he won a Listed race at Ayr and finished third in the Group Three Cornwallis at Newmarket and is well drawn in stall 24. Keith Dalgleish, who I think is a much under-rated trainer, has also booked James Doyle to ride, which is another positive and leaves him looking massively over-priced – to these eyes, at least – at around 40-1.

SELECTION: PRINCE OF PILLO

King Charles, Queen Camilla and racing advisor John Warren react during the Sandringham Stakes.
King Charles, Queen Camilla and racing advisor John Warren react during the Sandringham Stakes. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

Updated

King Edward VII Stakes (5.35pm) result

1 King Of Steel 11/10 f
2 Continuous 9/1

Love this shot of Kevin Stott and King Of Steel.
Love this shot of Kevin Stott and King Of Steel. Photograph: James Marsh/Shutterstock

Updated

King Edward VII Stakes (5.35pm)

And they’re off … Dubai Mile gets out quick and leads … hot favourite King Of Steel is last in the early stages … with Arrest under Frankie in third … not a strong pace here … Arrest is pulling hard … Artistic Star challenges the leader … King Of Steel is making ground … he takes the lead from Continuous and grinds it out for victory.

Updated

King Edward VII Stakes (5.35pm) market moves

She just collected a winning bet!
She just collected a winning bet! Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

Updated

King Edward VII Stakes (5.35pm) preview

Something of a repechage for beaten horses in the Derby, with four of the colts that finished behind Auguste Rodin at Epsom earlier this month among the half-dozen runners. That includes King Of Steel, who outran his 66-1 starting price to finish second and with daylight back to third, having briefly looked the likeliest winner before Ryan Moore emerged from the chasing pack to reel him in. Arrest, Frankie Dettori’s mount today and also his last Derby ride, was 10th, having looked unsuited by both the track and the ground, while Artistic Star and Dubai Mile were seventh and ninth respectively. The two runners that did not run at Epsom are Continuous, third in the Dante Stakes at York and then eighth in the French Derby earlier this month, and the outsider Relentless Voyager, who looks outclassed.

SELECTION: KING OF STEEL

They’re all backing King Of Steel.
They’re all backing King Of Steel. Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Reuters

Updated

Sandringham Stakes (5.00pm) result

1 Coppice 6/1 f
2 Breege 33/1
3 Balalaika 66/1
4 Unless 14/1

Updated

Sandringham Stakes (5.00pm)

And they’re off … Polly Pott makes a quick start … Coppice is prominent … Foniska leads on the far side … Novus is making good progress … Coppice gets the lead and Frankie Dettori has another winner!

Updated

Sandringham Stakes (5.00pm) market movers

Warm day at Royal Ascot.
Warm day at Royal Ascot. Photograph: Neil Hall/EPA

Updated

Sandringham Stakes (5.00pm) betting

  • Jackie Oh 6/1

  • Coppice 15/2

  • Marksman Queen 10/1

  • Chelsea Green 10/1

  • Clounmacon 12/1

  • Unless 12/1

  • Embrace 14/1

  • Novus 16/1

  • Ma Belle Artiste 20/1

  • Magical Sunset 22/1

  • Girl Racer 22/1

  • Dream Of Love 25/1

  • Bellaphina 25/1

  • Bridestones 25/1

  • Choisya 28/1

  • Copy Artist 28/1

  • Breege 33/1

  • Foniska 40/1

  • Karsavina 40/1

  • Eximious 40/1

  • Zoinnocent 50/1

  • Polly Pott 50/1

  • Balalaika 50/1

  • Youngest 66/1

  • Candle Of Hope 66/1

  • Cell Sa Beela 80/1

  • Rich 100/1

  • Mottisfont 100/1

  • Lady Alara 125/1

  • Full betting via Oddschecker

The Princess of Wales at Ascot on Friday.
The Princess of Wales at Ascot on Friday. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

Updated

Sandringham Stakes (5.00pm) preview

From an odds-on shot in a Group One to another big-field handicap, and this is another where the Timeform ratings suggest they should all finish within a couple of lengths of each other. The Halifax sages’ figures do also imply, though, that Jackie Oh, the narrow favourite, is priced up much more on potential and connections – the Aidan O’Brien/Ryan Moore combo – than she is on what she has achieved to date, even allowing for the fact that she was fifth behind Tahiyra in the Irish 1,000 Guineas last time out. She has the second-highest weight in the field as a result – Dream Of Love, 12th of 20 in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, has 1lb more on 9st 9lb - and giving lumps to a whole host of lightly-raced, very promising three-year-old fillies. The one that stands out for me is Chelsea Green, principally because she won in a very fast time on her return to action at Newmarket last month. That was her first start for seven months and she has been raised just 3lb in the weights, so could be ahead of the handicapper for some time yet.

SELECTION: CHELSEA GREEN

Updated

Stewards’ inquiry called after interference in the closing stage in the Coronation Stakes. The placings remain unaltered.

Updated

Coronation Stakes (4.20pm) result

1 Tahiyra 8/13 f
2 Remarquee 25/1

Updated

Coronation Stakes (4.20pm)

And they’re off … Meditate has the early lead with Sounds of Heaven very close … it’s a packed field with Tahiyra at the back … Mammas Girl goes for a run … and Tahiyra comes with a long, sweeping run to score.

Chris Hayes poses with the trophy after winning the Coronation Stakes on Tahiyra.
Chris Hayes poses with the trophy after winning the Coronation Stakes on Tahiyra. Photograph: David Davies/PA

Updated

Coronation Stakes (4.20pm) betting

Royal Ascot in the shade.
Royal Ascot in the shade. Photograph: David Davies/PA

Updated

Coronation Stakes (4.20pm) preview

This is not, sadly, the race it promised to be earlier in the week, when Mawj, who narrowly beat Tahiyra in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket in May, was still among the expected runners. She was not declared on Wednesday, however, having returned a poor scope after exercise on Tuesday, and the rematch, for now at least, has been postponed. The Newmarket Guineas was the first defeat of Tahiyra’s career, and she went on to run out an impressive winner of the Irish equivalent, making her a predictably short-priced favourite to add Royal Ascot’s eight-furlong Group One for three-year-old fillies to her record.

The only other filly at a single-figure price is Aidan O’Brien’s Meditate, who took the opener on the Friday card 12 months ago, and finished one-and-a-half lengths behind Tahiyra at the Curragh without offering up any obvious reasons why she might turn the form around today. Queen For You, meanwhile, is taking a big step up in class but should possibly be arriving two-for-two after getting going a little too late in a Listed race at York last time. She’s a daughter of Fallen For You, the winner of this race in 2012.

SELECTION: TAHIYRA

Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (3.40pm) result

1 Okita Soushi 9/1
2 Hms President 15/2
3 Live Your Dream 11/1

Updated

Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (3.40pm)

And they’re off … Global Heat and Maksud makes positive starts … with Live Your Dream out wide and Al Nafir also up with the leaders… Tyson Fury is right out the back … Live Your Dream goes for home … Okita Soushi drives late with HMS president … and Okita Soushi gets there to make it five winners in the week for Ryan Moore.

Racegoers pose for a selfie.
Racegoers pose for a selfie. Photograph: James Marsh/Shutterstock

Updated

Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (3.40pm) market movers

“You didn’t back Frankie?!
“You didn’t back Frankie?!" Photograph: Henry Nicholls/AFP/Getty Images

Updated

Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (3.40pm) betting

  • Teumessias Fox 6/1

  • Al Nafir 6/1

  • Maksud 15/2

  • Nagano 17/2

  • Hms President 17/2

  • Okita Soushi 10/1

  • Aimeric 10/1

  • Live Your Dream 12/1

  • Ajero 20/1

  • Global Heat 25/1

  • White Wolf 25/1

  • Haunted Dream 28/1

  • Lucander 33/1

  • Max Mayhem 33/1

  • Moracana 33/1

  • Stay Well 40/1

  • Aikhal 66/1

  • Tyson Fury 66/1

  • Full betting via Oddschecker

Delphi Primrose attends Royal Ascot … she’s a model, TikToker, and socialite.
Delphi Primrose attends Royal Ascot … she’s a model, TikToker, and socialite. Photograph: David M Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Royal Ascot

Updated

Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (3.40pm) preview

The one-mile handicaps on the straight course are traditionally the toughest races of the meeting, but it feels like my shortlist for this event – a 19-runner, mile-and-a-half handicap – is the longest of the week. On Timeform’s ratings, there is just 4lb between the 13 horses at the top of the list, and any one of four or five of them could eventually set off as favourite. One point that might be worthy of consideration, though, is that 15 of the last 19 winners carried 9st 4lb or below, a stat that, should you be so inclined, allows you to put a line through more than half of today’s field, including big fancies like Teumessias Fox, Maksud, Okita Soushi and Al Nafir. It also draws the eye towards Roger Varian’s Aimeric, with a handy 9st 3lb and hovering around 10-1 in the betting. He was generally progressive in a six-race campaign at three, his first season on the track, and made a more than satisfactory four-year-old debut – having been gelded and given a wind op over the winter – when successful at Doncaster earlier this month.

SELECTION: AIMERIC

Shaquille, ridden by Oisin Murphy, wins the Commonwealth Cup.
Shaquille, ridden by Oisin Murphy, wins the Commonwealth Cup. Photograph: Ian Headington/racingfotos.com/Shutterstock

Updated

Look at this! The way Shaquille reared in the stalls, lost many lengths and still managed to win a Group One sprint!

Commonwealth Cup (3.05pm) result

1 Shaquille 9/1
2 Little Big Bear 10/11 f
3 Swingalong (IRE)66/1

Updated

Commonwealth Cup (3.05pm)

And they’re off … another fast dash … Shaquille started very slowly and rears up … Little Big Bear leads … he has to try and hold on but Shaquille comes with an amazing run and denies Little Big Bear close home!

Updated

Frankie Dettori, who he, has now ridden 80, count them, 80 winners at Royal Ascot.

Commonwealth Cup (3.05pm) preview

There were a few mutterings when this race was added to the Royal meeting’s schedule in 2015, not least as it was awarded immediate Group One status when new races at lesser tracks have to work hard to slowly climb the ladder. But it has already become one of the meeting’s highlights, and the ideal stage to test the sprinting merits of Classically-bred three-year-olds that did not get the trip in the Guineas, or were too speedy on the gallops to be given a chance.

Little Big Bear, Noble Style, Sakheer, Lezoo, Queen Me and Swingalong all fit into the former category and also account for the first few slots in the betting, thanks to their exploits at shorter trips. Little Big Bear stormed to victory in the Group One Phoenix Stakes at two and also bounced back to form after the Guineas in the Sandy Lane at Haydock, while Lezoo landed the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket last autumn and will have Frankie Dettori, effervescent after his Gold Cup success on Thursday, holding the reins.

SELECTION: LEZOO

Racegoers strain to get a photo of Princess Beatrice.
Racegoers strain to get a photo of Princess Beatrice. Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Reuters

Updated

Albany Stakes (2.30pm) result

1 Porta Fortuna 5/1
2 Matrika 9/1
3 Soprano 13/2

Updated

Albany Stakes (2.30pm)

And they’re off … this will be over pretty quick … Matrika and Pretty Crystal are out of the stalls fast and the field is going over to the far side … Navassa Island makes ground … Matrika is leading but Porta Fortuna wins the first race under … guess who … Frankie Dettori!

There are a lot of pics of the Princess of Wales.
There are a lot of pics of the Princess of Wales. Photograph: Alastair Grant/AP

Updated

Queen's Hat (2pm) result

1 White 7-1

King Charles and Queen Camilla in the Royal Procession.
King Charles and Queen Camilla in the Royal Procession. Photograph: John Sibley/Reuters

Updated

Albany Stakes (2.30pm) betting

  • Navassa Island 9/2

  • Carlas Way 9/2

  • Porta Fortuna 11/2

  • Jabaara 15/2

  • Soprano 8/1

  • Matrika 11/1

  • Gushing Gold 20/1

  • Dawn Charger 20/1

  • Persian Dreamer 22/1

  • Flaccianello 25/1

  • Pretty Crystal 33/1

  • Do It With Style 40/1

  • Komat 50/1

  • Mapmaker 50/1

  • Sarakana 66/1

  • Passionately 100/1

  • Rating 110/1

  • Full betting via Oddschecker

Judi Dench got the biggest cheer in the Royal Procession.
Judi Dench got the biggest cheer in the Royal Procession. Photograph: John Sibley/Reuters

Updated

Albany Stakes (2.30pm) preview

Aidan O’Brien took over from Sir Michael Stoute as the most successful trainer in Royal Ascot history earlier this week, and he has won most of the non-handicap races at the meeting multiple times, but he has saddled only two winners of this six-furlong race for juvenile fillies since it was added to the royal meeting’s schedule in 2002. It is probably just one of those things, and who knows, he might win the next five in a row, but it is still perhaps a stat to bear in mind before wading in to back Matrika, his only runner in this year’s renewal. She won a maiden first time up at the Curragh, but is the sixth pick in the early betting, which does not signal huge confidence behind her chance.

The fillies in front of her in the market include Carlas Way, from the Simon and Ed Crisford stable, who cost £350,000 at the breeze-up sales earlier this year and repaid a small fraction of that when successful on debut at Doncaster earlier this month. But the key piece of form could be the Group Three Coolmore Stud Fillies Sprint Stakes at Naas in May, which is the same race that Meditate won 12 months ago before following up here. Porta Fortuna, making her second start, edged out Navassa Island, making her debut, and the latter has been backed down to favourite over the last 24 hours to find the necessary improvement to get home in front.

SELECTION: NAVASSA ISLAND

The Prince and Princess of Wales in Carriage Two.
The Prince and Princess of Wales in Carriage Two. Photograph: John Sibley/Reuters

Updated

Animal Rising have declared themselves non-runners at Royal Ascot but it appears the police at the track were over-zealous in arresting a racegoer who they believed may have been planning to stage a protest at the meeting. The Mail reported that Thames Valley police arrested a woman on Wednesday of suspicion of being equipped with intent to lock on using some glue which she was carrying. Turned out she only had nail glue for her false nails and was not intending to commit any offence.

Police watch as spectators arrive at Royal Ascot.
Police watch as spectators arrive at Royal Ascot. Photograph: David Davies/PA

Today's race schedule with Guardian tips

  • Albany Stakes - 2.30pm (Navassa Island).

  • Commonwealth Cup - 3.05pm (Lezoo [nap]).

  • Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes - 3.40pm (Aimeric).

  • Coronation Stakes - 4.20pm (Tahiyra).

  • Sandringham Stakes - 5pm (Chelsea Green).

  • King Edward VII Stakes - 5.35pm (King Of Steel).

  • Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes - 6.10pm (Prince Of Pillo [nb]).

Racegoers mingle ahead of racing on the fourth day of Royal Ascot.
Racegoers mingle ahead of racing on the fourth day of Royal Ascot. Photograph: Henry Nicholls/AFP/Getty Images

Temperatures are going to reach 30 degrees this weekend and it wasn’t that long ago (2009 to be exact) that racing at Worcester was abandoned in the excessive heat. Here’s how horses are supported to race and recover at the races now.

You read it here first (in our Queen’s Hat Stakes preview earlier) … William and Kate (the Prince and Princess of Wales to me and you) are at the races today. Can you imagine them coming every day as king and queen though? Many feared Charles may not but that has proved wide of the mark.

Your correspondent was very pleased to see racing fan and owner Dame Judi Dench among the Royal Procession runners. She wasn’t as well known for her film as opposed to stage roles in her early days (though she certainly made her mark as M in the Bond franchise in recent years) but she did appear in ‘Dead Cert’, the 1974 adaptation of the Dick Francis novel. This was not, it must be said, one of director Tony Richardson’s finest hours. The late Lord Oaksey appears (wooden doesn’t begin to describe the performance) as a vet and Time Out critic Chris Peachment concluded his review by stating: “… the film manages nothing in the way of suspense, insight or entertainment. There ought to be a steward’s enquiry [sic]”

Judi Dench in the Dick Francis adaptation Dead Cert.

Updated

Royal Procession (2pm)

1st Carriage
The King
The Queen
The Duke of Devonshire
The Duchess of Devonshire

2nd Carriage
The Prince of Wales
The Princess of Wales
Princess Beatrice, Mrs. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi
Mr. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi

3rd Carriage
The Duchess of Edinburgh
The Earl of Caledon
Prince Michael of Kent
Princess Michael of Kent

4th Carriage
Dame Judi Dench
Mr. David Mills
Mr. William Farish
Mrs. William Farish

Dettori to appeal Royal Ascot ban

Frankie Dettorihas lodged an appeal against the nine-day suspension he incurred on the first day of Royal Ascot.

Dettori partnered Saga, who is owned by the King and Queen, for John and Thady Gosdenin the Wolferton Stakes but was found guilty of careless riding after the stewards judged him to have allowed his mount to shift across the track, causing interference to other runners in the process.

The suspension is due to run from 4-12 July, which would rule him out of riding Emily Upjohn in the Eclipse on 8 July, and Dettori and his legal team have decided there are grounds to appeal the decision of the stewards on the day.

“I put my appeal in yesterday, so it’s fingers crossed,” Dettori told talkSPORT. “I spoke to my lawyers and they told me to appeal.”

After a disappointing first day, Dettori subsequently won Wednesday’s Queen’s Vase on Gregory before claiming a ninth Gold Cup aboard Courage Mon Ami to the delight of the crowd on Thursday.

With him still riding at the top of his game, it has led to calls for him to delay his retirement, but so far he insists his last day riding in the UK will be Champions Day at Ascot.

“Every day I get asked. At the moment I’m retiring - 21 October (in England) and then abroad. I’m sticking to it,” he said. “Yesterday was unbelievable, the reception that I got. I just have to say thanks for all the support over the years and let’s carry it on over another two days and have some fun.” PA Media

Frankie Dettori heading out to ride Saga at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.
Frankie Dettori heading out to ride Saga at Royal Ascot on Tuesday. Photograph: James Marsh/Shutterstock

Updated

Frankie Dettori’s odds on being crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2023 have been halved into 2-1 from 4-1 by BoyleSports after his success in the Gold Cup yesterday. If Bazball fails to bring home the Ashes who knows. Latest SPOTY betting:

  • 2/1 Frankie Dettori

  • 4/1 Ben Stokes

  • 6/1 Joe Root

  • 12/1 James Anderson

  • 14/1 Mark Cavendish

  • 14/1 Tyson Fury

  • 20/1 Rory McIlroy

  • 20/1 Keely Hodgkinson

Frankie Dettori holds up the Gold Cup after victory on Courage Mon Ami on Thursday.
Frankie Dettori holds up the Gold Cup after victory on Courage Mon Ami on Thursday. Photograph: Maureen McLean/Shutterstock

A horse in sunglasses? Sky Sports reporter David Craig found one this morning at Royal Ascot!

Updated

Queen's Hat Stakes (2pm) betting

  • 7/2 Pink/Peach

  • 4/1 Yellow

  • 6/1 Blue/Navy

  • 6/1 Red

  • 7/1 Cream/White

  • 7/1 Green

  • 8/1 Purple

  • 9/1 Orange

  • 12/1 Gold

  • 16/1 Black

  • 16/1 Brown

  • 16/1 Silver

  • Betting courtesy of Ladbrokes

Now that’s a rigged market! That was the notorious “rigged” year of 2015.
Now that’s a rigged market! That was the notorious “rigged” year of 2015. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Updated

Queen's Hat Stakes (2pm) preview

There’s been two stewards’ inquiries this week after the Queen’s Hat Stakes, reminding me of whether that dress was blue and black or white and gold. That dress that broke the internet in 2015. So after cream/white and duck egg blue/pastel green what for today? Our friends at BestofBets.com said: “With two days to go of Royal Ascot, not only are punters backing the colour of Queen Camilla’s hat, but there’s a fancy for William and Kate joining today’s Royal procession.

“In what many believe to be the last year of the hat betting market, eager punters have grey as a popular choice. Back in 2008, the hat betting market actually caused a bit of a scandal after bookies were forced to suspend the market following a flurry of activity. There’s no need for that this year, but don’t be surprised to see Queen Camilla turning up in grey or silver.”

King Charles III arrives with Queen Camilla in the Royal Procession on Thursday.
King Charles III arrives with Queen Camilla in the Royal Procession on Thursday. Photograph: Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Native Trail retired

Some breaking news … Native Trail, the unbeaten champion two-year-old of 2021 and Irish 2,000 Guineas winner, has been retired. He ran in the Queen Anne Stakes on Tuesday but only finished eighth.

Native Trail winning the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket in 2021.
Native Trail winning the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket in 2021. Photograph: Ian Headington/racingfotos.com/Shutterstock

Updated

Don’t scribble these on your betting slips today at Ascot. They’re not running.

2.30pm Albany Stakes: 17 Snafiya (not eaten up)
3.05pm Commonwealth Cup: 1 Cold Case (declared in error)
5.00pm Sandringham Handicap: 24 Sparks Fly (going) & 30 Orchid Bloom (going)
6.10pm Palace Of Holyroodhouse Handicap: 27 Tawalla (going)

A horse-drawn carriage passes by on the fourth day at Royal Ascot.
A horse-drawn carriage passes by on the fourth day at Royal Ascot. Photograph: Henry Nicholls/AFP/Getty Images

Good morning. Pretty straightforward on the going front today The official ground description for day four of Royal Ascot is Good to Firm all round.

GoingStick readings at 8am:
Stands side: 7.9
Centre: 7.8
Far side: 7.7
Round: 7.1

Racegoers are making their way in at Ascot.
Racegoers are making their way in at Ascot. Photograph: Henry Nicholls/AFP/Getty Images

Preamble

Good morning from Ascot on day four of the royal meeting, which is also the only day apart from Tuesday with more than one Group One race. The feature event, in theory at least, is the Coronation Stakes at 4.20, but the upstart Commonwealth Cup, which only arrived on the schedule in 2015, has been a more interesting race in several years since and is certainly so today, with Little Big Bear a warm but hardly shockproof favourite while Tahiyra, the Irish 1,000 Guineas winner, is odds-on the Coronation.

That said, the week’s first odds-on shot, Al Asifah in the Ribblesdale Stakes, was beaten out of sight, yet another reminder that nothing can be taken for granted at this meeting. And well-timed too, as in addition to Little Big Bear and Tahiyra, there is another shortish favourite on today’s card in King Of Steel, the runner-up behind Auguste Rodin in the Derby earlier this month after briefly looking as though he had slipped the field. Waipiro, who was around 10 lengths behind King Of Steel at Epsom in sixth, won the Hampton Court Stakes here yesterday, which will further embolden punters looking to put all three hotpots in a treble.

The 10mm of rain that doused Ascot in the early hours of Tuesday morning is a distant memory now and there has been more watering overnight to maintain the going as good-to-firm.

“The going this morning is good-to-firm and watered,” Chris Stickels, the clerk of the course, said in his regular morning update. “We watered last night with 5mm on the straight course and 4mm on the round course. The forecast today is for a bright, dry, sunny, warm day, temperatures up to abut 26 or 27 degrees, and it looks like it’s going to remain dry for Saturday as well.”

That will be just the news that the 60,000+ racegoers heading for Ascot on each of the final two days of the royal meeting wanted to hear. With regard to today’s action, there are picks for the seven races here, and if you’re not here at Ascot – indeed, even if you are – you can follow all the drama as it unfolds here on the blog until the last person out - Chris Stickels, probably - switches off the lights.

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