One thing is for sure, this has not been a Royal Ascot of sure things. Three days into the meeting and just four favourites had justified their odds in the first 21 races. Indeed, the average odds of a winning horse were a dizzying 20-1.
Nothing is guaranteed in racing, or perhaps not. You won't find a single bookmaker prepared to bet against Frankie Dettori shedding tears after his final day in the saddle at Royal Ascot. His week has already been made by Courage Mon Ami's surprise win in the Gold Cup but he could still end in style with COVEY in the Jersey Stakes (3.05pm).
This son of Frankel, racing in the colours of Dettori's all-time favourite Enable, made all to win a competitive handicap at Haydock last month and boasts strong claims as he seeks a fourth straight win. HIGHFIELD PRINCESS returns to the track after a second place in Tuesday's King's Stand Stakes - she got a little unlucky in running - and can add a third Group One to their resume in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (3.40pm).
Aidan O'Brien's pursuit of a 12th career top trainer could hinge on the performance of CHANGINGOFTHEGUARD, a Royal Ascot winner last year, who goes in the Hardwicke Stakes (4.20pm). Last year's King George winner Pyledriver is back on the track for their first run since that success but surely this is about sharpening himself for future Group One challenges.
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O'Brien has two live chances in the opening Chesham Stakes (2.30pm) too, with the decision of Ryan Moore to saddle PEARLS AND RUBIES, ahead of stablemate Contest, edging a preference. She's a big filly whose anticipated high-class juvenile campaign could start here.
KHANJAR boasts both course and distance form in the Wokingham Stakes (5.00pm) while the brilliantly bred Dubawi colt FIRST SIGHT looks set to graduate from a solid all-weather career on a turf debut for trainer Charlie Appleby in the Golden Gates Stakes (5.35pm).
After 34 races over five days, battered punters can breathe a sigh of relief ahead of the final race, the Queen Alexandra Stakes (6.10pm). 'Willie's in the bumper' is a traditional refrain in jumps racing, as Ireland's top trainer Willie Mullins boasts an eye-catching strike race in the lucky last.
He's already won this week with Vauban and Stratum is favourite to land this race for the third consecutive year. However, the preference is for another Irish raider, Joseph O'Brien's DAWN RISING, who'd be just a second Royal Ascot winner for billionaire businessman JP McManus, who boasts more Cheltenham Festival wins than any other owner.
Selections:
2.30: Pearls and Rubies
3.05: Covey
3.40: Highfield Princess
4.20: Changingoftheguard
5.00: Khanjar
5.35: First Sight
6.10: Dawn Rising
