We have reached the penultimate day of the Royal Ascot 2025 meeting with another seven races taking place on what is going to be another scorching day at the Berkshire track on Friday with plenty more of the best horses in racing on show once again.
The Coronation Stakes is the feature race on the card on Friday but as has been the case throughout the week so far, we don’t see the main offering as having much value potential so our attention is on three of the undercard races.
3.40 Royal Ascot: Duke of Edinburgh Stakes Handicap
Another handicap that looks as competitive as ever, this one over a mile & a half where you’d even struggle to pick the one most likely to go off favourite, never mind finding the winner. Chances can be given to many with the best of the market leaders being Hand Of God if he can put a disappointing reappearance behind him. However, I’d prefer to go double handed on a pair at big prices, the first in the shape of Auld Toon Loon. He was a fair flat performer 2 years ago before having an unsuccessful stint but he’s been a different horse since returning to the flat. He bounded clear to win a low grade Bath handicap off a stone lower before finishing an excellent 4th in the November Handicap having been hiked up 10lbs as well as running over this trip for the first time. Beaten only a length & a half, I’d be marking up that performance as the front 3 all came from much closer to the stands rail. His last year of the year was ok, finishing 3rd on the all weather in a Listed behind a pair rated much higher than him. His one start of this calendar year was full of promise at Chester. Held up for a run, the gap came too late but he finished in eyecatching style to be just a head behind at the line. This step back up in trip will suit & a 3lb rise in the weights is manageable based on recent form. The 2 slight question marks centre around ground & luck in running; I do think he’ll handle the ground whilst a fast pace should ensure the gaps come. At a similarly big price, I cannot leave out the Willie Mullins second string, Blue Lemons. Since moving from the Hannon yard last summer, he’s raced exclusively over hurdles, winning 2 from 4 including a Grade 2 but disappointing in the other in top class Grade 1’s at the Cheltenham & Punchestown Festivals. Previous to that, his flat form showed he’s good enough to be involved here, finishing 4th in the Silver Bowl off 2lbs higher & most notably, a neck 2nd to the aforementioned Hand Of God in the Esher Cup. He’s fully 15lbs better off today so taking that form literally, he is a ridiculous price here. The big step up in trip from his flat form should suit him if his hurdles form is anything to go by & it’s not often Mullins sends horses over to these shores without a chance so I’m hopeful of a big run.
Tips
Back Auld Toon Loon (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 41.00 Bet365 (⅕ odds 1-5)
Back Blue Lemons (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 29.00 William Hill (⅕ odds 1-5)
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5.00 Royal Ascot: Sandringham Stakes Handicap
28 runners for this mile handicap for 3 year old fillies & yesterday, with the ground getting even quicker, it paid to be drawn tight against the rail in maximum field straight track races – the first 3 in both such races on Thursday came from the highest 5 stalls. I see no reason to change that view today & to be honest, I think the highest drawn runner, Miss Nightfall, is going to be incredibly tough to beat. The disappointing thing is that she’s not been missed by the market & 4/1 is not a price I could ever go for in a big field handicap such as this. Whilst she is the most likely winner, if the field do bunch up against the rail, it wouldn’t be a surprise if she had some trouble in running akin to her last run at Goodwood. If that is the case, I’m hoping the beneficiary is the massive priced Cartwheel. She’s drawn 24, which is just 5 off the rail & her relatively prominent run style should keep her out of trouble. As a 2 year old, she won her second start at Kempton on the all weather, kicking clear to hold off all challengers by a comfortable two & a half lengths. Considered good enough for the Nell Gwyn, it was stated that had she finished in the first 3, she’d have gone for the 1000 Guineas. Unfortunately, she didn’t settle & was far too keen early doors so, when push came to shove, she couldn’t go with the pace. However, I was taken with the way she stayed on in the last half furlong which bodes well for this extra distance. The ground should suit & I’m interested in the jockey booking as he’s won on his last 3 rides & comes here for just the one ride before going back to Ireland to ride at Limerick tomorrow. A huge price, and a big outsider, but if the draw holds up as it did yesterday, I can see her running a big race.
Tips
Back Cartwheel (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 67.00 Sky Bet (⅕ odds 1-7)
6.10 Royal Ascot: Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes Handicap
The closing race is a 5 furlong sprint handicap for 3 year olds & I’m not yet ready to desert the high draw bias. Whilst Realign is the most intriguing runner, I’m put off by his draw in 9. Instead, I’ll side with 2 of the high drawn runners, the first in the shape of Mr Lightside. One of the classier in the field, this handicap debutant has stacks of form in the book & a reproduction of some of that would see him go close. As a 2 year old, he won twice, the most notable a Nottingham novice where he had subsequent winners of 2 big sales races in behind. He was then 1 length 3rd to proven Group performer & dual Group race winner, Big Mojo. After finishing 2nd in a conditions race at Chelmsford over an extra furlong, he ran a race full of promise in the Listed Westow at York. Whilst he only finished 5th of 7, he was around a length & a half behind the winner in a race where he never settled & was still pulling hard 2 furlongs out. To his credit, he stuck to his task incredibly well & I cannot say for certainty he wouldn’t have won had he settled from the gate. Drawn in 29, & with a fast pace almost guaranteed, everything looks in place for a massive run. Coming from the highest gate in 31 is Brighton Boy & he’s our second selection. He’s never run over the minimum trip & has raced as far as 7 furlongs but his 6 furlong form of 5-2-1-1-2 looks pretty good & with the stiffness of the track, I don’t think 5 furlongs here will be an inconvenience. He only managed 7th of 14 at Goodwood on his only start of the year but I’m not put off by that. He raced against the rail which was a disadvantage & the way he travelled into the race only heightened my confidence here. He was swinging a quarter of a mile out but never got home & eased once his chance had gone. He has plenty of scope from this mark & it’s interesting that the yard has booked the services of Buick who is a huge plus in my book. The price looks too big, especially with 6 places on offer.
Tips
Back Mr Lightside (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 11.00 Unibet (⅕ odds 1-6)
Back Brighton Boy (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 8.00 Coral (⅕ odds 1-6)
