Andrew Wilsher
Show Bio
Royal Ascot is one of the biggest weeks in the British horse racing calendar, and every race this week will be broadcast live on NBC, including on Wednesday, June 16.
America will have a number of representatives, with trainer Wesley Ward boasting hot favorite Ruthin in the Windsor Castle Stakes at 12:35pm ET.
Here at Pickswise, we’ll be providing free picks and predictions for every single race. If you’re new to Royal Ascot, then be sure to check out our handy guide, which explains exactly why it is the most prestigious horse racing festival in Britain.
Race 1: Yet to win the Queen Mary Stakes, 9:30am ET
Wesley Ward has won the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes four times since 2009 and in the speedy Belmont Park winner Twilight Gleaming he has another leading contender. Aidan O’Brien, on the other hand, has yet to train a Queen Mary winner, but in the imposing and well-bred YET he has a good opportunity to put that right. Yet made a good impression when edging out Orinoco River at Dundalk on her debut. Quick Suzy could also put in a strong performance, boasting some useful form and may be suited by the five-furlong trip.
Race 2: Taipan to win the Queen’s Vase, 10:05am ET
Mark Johnston and Aidan O’Brien are two trainers who have both won this race on seven occasions but Johnston has not added to his tally since 2014, during which time O’Brien has won it four times. Dancing King is a serious contender for Johnston this year, though. Wordsworth looks the perfect type of horse for the race and should be the pick of the O’Brien runners. However, watch out also for the Jessica Harrington-trained TAIPAN who could be a revelation now that he moves up from 12 furloings to 16 furlongs and he gets the vote in front of Wordsworth.
Race 3: Valeria Messalina to win the Duke of Cambridge Stakes, 10:40am ET
Lady Bowthorpe is the worthy favorite for this race having finished an excellent second to Palace Pier in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. If there is a negative it’s the possible lack of a strong pace for Lady Bowthorpe, who likes to be held up, and that could give VALERIA MESSALINA a chance of winning. She finished a close second to One Master in the Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes at Glorious Goodwood last year, which rates solid form, and she should be much better here, back on fast ground. Agincourt was second in this race last year and is next on the list, with the very lightly raced Double Or Bubble another interesting contender.
Race 4: Love to win the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, 11:20am ET
Lord North was superb when winning this race last year and again in the Dubai Turf in March, although he reportedly bled in the latter. He will be hard to beat if he’s in that form but he faces a top-quality rival in LOVE, assuming she reappears in the form that saw her go unbeaten against all the fillies last season. Armory, also trained by Aidan O’Brien, looks the most plausible threat, although My Oberon has improved this season.
CREDIT – Edward Whitaker
Race 5: Matthew Flinders to win the Royal Hunt Cup, noon ET
It remains to be seen how the draw will pan out but MATTHEW FLINDERS looks the most likely winner with Oisin Murphy riding him. He remains the type of horse to win a race like this. Second choice is Magical Morning, who ties in with Matthew Flinders on Doncaster form last September and is open to further progress. Finest Sound is short in the betting for good reason and he has to be feared, while Astro King and Haqeeqy are other likely players.
Race 6: Ruthin to win the Windsor Castle Stakes, 12:35pm ET
Tipperary Sunset and Dig Two are both looking for their third win in a row and have plenty to support betting on them, but there are also two fascinating American contenders in Golden Bell and RUTHIN, who both represent Wesley Ward. Ruthin looked inexperienced on turf at Keeneland in April but was still able to win by six lengths and she has a great chance of a Royal Ascot success.
Race 7: Mostly to win the Kensington Palace Stakes, 1:10pm ET
MOSTLY secured a great win in a mile handicap on an all-weather surface in March, and given the stamina in her pedigree, this sort of race should be perfect for her and could be the key to unlocking some strong improvement. She is chosen to win ahead of Stunning Beauty, who bounced back to form with a win this month and is still lightly raced. Lights On and Dreamloper are other horses to consider, having fought out a tight finish at Ascot last month.
Pickswise offers free daily Horse Racing Picks from across America. Get expert Horse Racing Picks from expert handicappers today.
