11 minutes Check out Friday's Royal Ascot tips from resident tipster Stephen Welch
Finally a day for the punters at Royal Ascot as five of the seven races on Ladies Day were won by the SP favourites. Trawlerman won the Gold Cup for trainers John & Thady Gosden whilst Ryan Moore landed a hat-trick on board the Aidan O’Brien-trained trio Charles Darwin, Garden Of Eden and Trinity College. Now we look ahead to Day Four and Friday’s feature race is the Coronation Stakes whilst there is additional Group 1 action with the Commonwealth Cup earlier in the afternoon. Check out my tips for Friday’s seven races below.
14:30
Albany Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies)
The Albany regularly showcases future Group 1 performers and 2025 looks no different with a wide-open renewal full of progressive fillies. SIGNORA heads the market for Ballydoyle, bidding to go one better after finishing just behind Green Sense in the Group 3 at Naas. With Royal Ascot-winning pedigree on both sides and Ryan Moore in the saddle, she sets a high standard and is open to major improvement on just her second start.
Fitzella brings valuable course experience and form, having chased home a good one here before scoring stylishly at Haydock. Hugo Palmer’s filly made all last time and looks ready for this test. Green Sense, meanwhile, is proven at Group level, boasting strong Irish form and narrowly denied last time out. She brings some of the best figures in the field and has already beaten Signora on the clock.
Ipanema Queen is a fascinating contender from Ireland. She sauntered clear in a big Curragh field and that form looks rock solid. Connections report there’s still more to come and she could well be a different proposition this time. Venetian Sun, who won tidily at Carlisle, also commands respect for top connections, while Gold Digger and Awaken re-oppose after finishing 1-2 at Yarmouth in a race that’s working out well.
Verdict: Ipanema Queen created a striking impression on debut and looks the type to make a big leap forward. Fitzella has rock-solid credentials and proven Ascot form, while Green Sense rates a major danger on figures. SIGNORA is clearly held in high regard and could take a big step forward second time up.
15:05
Commonwealth Cup (Group 1) (No Geldings)
A standout event for three-year-old sprinters, the Commonwealth Cup rarely disappoints and 2025 boasts a deep field including plenty of Group 1 pedigree. SHADOW OF LIGHT, third in the 2000 Guineas, brings top-tier form to the sprinting ranks. A dual Group 1 winner over 6f and 7f last year, Charlie Appleby’s colt is bred for this and has the class to stamp his authority back over a sharp trip.
The US raider Shisospicy adds a fascinating angle. Unbeaten since switching to stakes company, she burst clear to land a Churchill Downs Grade 3 last time and brings raw speed to the party. If the pace holds up, she’ll take catching. Babouche, meanwhile, is already a Group 1 winner and returned to form in the Lacken Stakes at Naas, readily accounting for a below-par Whistlejacket, who reportedly hit his head at the gates. With Ryan Moore retained, improvement is expected second time up.
Jonquil and Ides Of March boast consistent stakes form and shouldn't be overlooked, while Big Mojo shaped well when unlucky in running at Haydock and could be a player with a clearer passage. French filly Rayevka was supplemented after an explosive Listed win and could be anything. Each-way players should also consider Babouche again, especially if the ground remains on the quick side.
Verdict: SHADOW OF LIGHT brings genuine Group 1 quality to the table and looks ready to announce himself as the season’s leading sprinter. Shisospicy is a big threat if allowed to dictate, while Babouche is respected back on better ground. Keep an eye on Whistlejacket and Big Mojo, both of whom have strong claims to hit the frame if bouncing back to their best.
15:40
Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)
A deep and wide-open renewal of this competitive handicap, the Duke of Edinburgh rarely fails to deliver drama. Ethical Diamond, fourth in this race last year, returns off just a 2lbs higher mark and could go close again with a hood applied for the first time on the Flat. He’s a quirky but talented stayer with form across codes and Ryan Moore taking the reins is a major plus.
HAND OF GOD impressed in last year’s Golden Gates and, though disappointing on reappearance, that run came after a 315-day layoff. If he bounces back, this lightly raced four-year-old has plenty of upside. Another potential improver is Almosh’her, who arrives here with three wins from his last four and just held off Stressfree at York. The latter re-opposes and is now 5lbs better off, suggesting the form may swing.
French Duke is lightly raced and progressive for Roger Varian, while War Rooms, runner-up twice over further this season, looks to have been laid out for this race by last year’s winning connections. Irish challenger Siege Of Troy could go well if rediscovering her Listed form, while Mount Atlas has Ascot-winning form and shaped better than the result last time at Chester.
Verdict: HAND OF GOD could be a class above if returning to his 2024 Ascot-winning form. Stressfree has strong each-way credentials, while Ethical Diamond and Almosh’her are major threats if things fall right in a typically stacked Duke of Edinburgh.
16:20
Coronation Stakes (Group 1) (Fillies)
The day’s feature contest sees some of Europe’s top three-year-old fillies clash in what may lack a standout figure but makes up for it with depth. Zarigana arrives as the French 1000 Guineas winner and sets the standard on known form. Progressive and lightly raced, she was awarded that Longchamp Group 1 after suffering interference and her pedigree, being out of a Zarkava family, suggests more to come.
FALAKEYAH could prove the most exciting filly in the field. Supplemented at a cost of £46,000, Owen Burrows’ charge blew away Listed opposition at Newmarket and was pulled from Classic targets due to minor setbacks. She drops back to a mile after racing too freely over further and looks tailor-made for this stiff Ascot finish.
Kon Tiki is another supplemented runner who’s yet to taste defeat. Her gritty Listed win at York was visually taking and she now gets the services of William Buick. A big step forward is required but she’s improving fast. Exactly gives Ballydoyle a solid hand. She was hampered when behind Zarigana in the French Guineas and her consistency and toughness could see her hit the frame again.
Others to note include Chantilly Lace, who shaped well in the 1000 Guineas on just her second start and Flight, who ran a big race in that same Classic before a below-par Irish run. January and Simmering also bring Group form but need to bounce back.
Verdict: FALAKEYAH oozes promise and is taken to confirm her Group 1 potential against more experienced rivals. Zarigana is the benchmark, while Kon Tiki adds intrigue with her unbeaten record. Don’t rule out Exactly and Chantilly Lace in a deep and tactical renewal of the Coronation.
17:00
Sandringham Stakes (Fillies' Handicap)
One of the most competitive handicaps of the week, the Sandringham brings together a bumper field of progressive three-year-old fillies all tackling the straight mile. Tabiti carries top weight but showed serious promise in Group company last year and makes her handicap debut in first-time blinkers. If fully tuned up, Ralph Beckett’s filly may simply outclass her rivals despite the burden. Plenty of each-way depth beneath her, not least SUPERMODEL, who looked a filly to follow when stylishly winning on handicap debut last time. Dash Of Azure also arrives off a cosy success and is bred to appreciate the stiffer test, while Silver Ghost continues to improve and looked value for more than the winning margin at Goodwood.
Oolong Poobong is one to note at a price. She cut down a competitive Haydock handicap field with authority last time and although this represents a big step up, she shapes as one on a sharp upward curve. The extra furlong looks within reach and her yard knows how to ready one for Royal Ascot.
Zgharta, Miss Nightfall and Alfareqa all bring untapped potential to the table, while Never Let Go could be a danger if the race sets up for a closer.
Verdict: SUPERMODEL looks a filly going places and can defy her rise in the weights. Tabiti has the class to make her mark at this level, while Oolong Poobong is a strong each-way shout in a deep and wide-open renewal.
17:35
King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings)
Often referred to as the ‘Ascot Derby’, the King Edward VII Stakes provides a mid-season proving ground for some of the best middle-distance colts yet to tackle top-level company. Amiloc heads the market as an unbeaten Listed winner who keeps doing just enough without being fully extended. He’ll need to find more now, but his form sets a strong standard.
ZAHRANN was green but impressive when coming from last to first in a Leopardstown Listed event just 15 days ago. That win suggested there’s much more to come and he’s the one with most upside if stepping forward again. Puppet Master, winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial, represents the powerful Ballydoyle-Moore combination and stays this trip well. He’s a grinder with solid credentials.
Wimbledon Hawkeye brings top-level form into the race following placed efforts in the Craven, 2000 Guineas and Dante. A strong-finishing third last time out, he looks ready for this distance and could be seen to even better effect in first-time cheekpieces. Nightwalker is another with potential back on a more conventional track, while Opportunity still has plenty of untapped ability and may bounce back from a luckless run at Goodwood.
Verdict: ZAHRANN has the scope to develop into a serious performer and can prove too strong for the more exposed Amiloc. Puppet Master and Wimbledon Hawkeye offer strong each-way value in an open and intriguing renewal.
18:10
Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes (Handicap)
The final race on Day Four is a typically chaotic 5f sprint for three-year-olds and this year’s Palace of Holyroodhouse has attracted a bumper field packed with speed and potential. At the top of the market, REALIGN brings serious upside. A close second to subsequent Group 1 star Shadow Of Light at two, he returned with a bloodless Salisbury win and bypasses the Commonwealth Cup to line up here off a mark of 93. He’s tackling 5f for the first time, but if he copes with the pace, he could simply be better than this field.
Redorange and Stormy Impact are both on the up. The former impressed at Chester and represents a trainer who went close in this race last year, while the latter stormed home from off the pace in the Epsom Dash and is clearly thriving. Irish raider Jorge Alvares is admirably consistent and could hit the frame again.
Of the each-way contenders, Ruby’s Profit is of particular interest. She's tough, reliable and has already shown her ability to mix it with the likes of Redorange and Stormy Impact. Her front-running style could be tested here, but with a handy draw and a strong attitude, she might just hang on for a place. Elsewhere, Lexington Blitz and Zayer are not without claims, with the latter looking ready to strike given a cleaner start and new cheekpieces.
Verdict: REALIGN could prove a cut above if handling the drop to 5f. Stormy Impact and Redorange have strong recent form and each-way appeal, while Ruby’s Profit remains a consistent force in these sprint handicaps and could reward persistence at a fair price.
Royal Ascot Day Four Predictions
14:30 - Signora (2/1)
15:05 - Shadow Of Light (15/8)
15:40 - Hand Of God (15/2)
16:20 - Falakeyah (5/2)
17:00 - Supermodel (8/1)
17:35 - Zahrann (3/1)
18:10 - Realign (4/1)
