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First run in 1839, the Ascot Stakes is a handicap run over 2M 4F which in recent years has come to be dominated by predominately National Hunt trainers with Closutton maestro Willie Mullins winning four times since 2012 as well as saddling the runner-up on three occasions.
The market is normally a good guide with 5 of the last 10 winners coming from the top five in the betting. Take a look at my Ascot tips for the Ascot Stakes scheduled to be run at 5 pm BST on day one of Royal Ascot.
Tritonic
Trainer: Alan King
Jockey: Rossa Ryan
A winner of three of his 14 flat starts and three of his 13 National Hunt runs. Soundly beaten last time in a soft ground Chester Cup and has it to do here under top weight.
Calling the Wind
Trainer: Richard Hughes
Jockey: Billy Loughnane (3)
Stays well (was 3rd in last year’s Queen Alexandra Stakes over 2M 5F). Wasn’t disgraced last time when 6th in Chester Cup but 5lb higher than their last winning mark which came at Goodwood in July 2021.
Fleurman
Trainer: Olly Murphy
Jockey: Kevin Stott
All recent form has come on the all-weather over two miles. Yet to race beyond two miles though this trip should be within his compass and has place claims.
Urban Artist
Trainer: Hughie Morrison
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Wasn’t disgraced when 6th in the 2M 5F Queen Alexandra Stakes beaten 4 1/2L last season. That was the furthest he’s raced over so far so should stay. Fourth in a listed race at Longchamp last time. Best form on soft ground so were the ground to ride on the easy side that would suit.
Bring on the Night
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Lightly-raced six-year-old who ran an excellent runner-up in this race a year ago, only being denied by Coltrane who is now rated 19lb higher. The chestnut is now only 3lb higher himself and has been laid out for this with an eye-catching jockey booking. The one to beat.
Ahorsewithnoname
Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: William Buick
Smart hurdler who won a listed novice hurdle at Cheltenham. Has won four of his six starts on the level and ran 5th when a well-backed favourite in last season’s Cesarewitch. Predominately National Hunt trainers do well in this race and holds each-way claims though has the stamina to prove.
Weston
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Colin Keane
Formerly trained in Germany and had just the one run when 8th of 19 in a 10F Leopardstown handicap. Yet to race beyond 1M 4F and has the stamina to prove.
The Grand Visir
Trainer: Ian Williams
Jockey: Richard Kingscote
Stays very well and was placed in the last two renewals of the Queen Alexandra Stakes at this meeting over 2M 5F. Has fallen down the weights a bit for three efforts this season and is one of the better outsiders.
Solent Getaway
Trainer: Hugo Palmer
Jockey: James Doyle
Yet to prove he stays 2M 4F (two efforts at beyond two miles have ended in him being soundly beaten). Did win at Haydock over two miles under Hollie Doyle in May and has been raised 2lb for that victory.
Pleasant Man
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Tim Marquand
Placed over hurdles in four outings prior to going back on the flat to finish third of 14 (beaten 5L) in the valuable Queen’s Cup over 14F in April. This will be the furthest he’s ever raced over on the flat so has the stamina to prove.
Zoffee
Trainer: Hugo Palmer
Jockey: Ben Curtis
Has only won two of his 16 flat runs though ran a blinder last time when only caught close home by Metier in the Chester Cup over 2M 2 1/2F. 2lb higher now and races off of his highest-ever flat mark. Could run well however as he should stay well.
Irish Lullaby
Trainer: Mrs J Harrington
Jockey: Rona Whelan
A big step up in distance for this lightly raced four-year-old grey filly trained in Ireland. Has found listed company too hot on her last two starts and may have more improvement to come at this new trip if staying.
Prince Imperial
Trainer: Milton Harris
Jockey: Rob Hornby
Having his first run for Milton Harris having joined from Richard Hughes’ stable for 35,000 guineas. A dual winner at two miles and was runner up over 2M 2F in the Cesarewitch Trial last September. Only a pound higher than his latest win and, if the new yard has revitalised, he looks overpriced at around 50/1.
Throne Hall
Trainer: Archie Watson
Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Since last seen on the flat has won two of his five starts over hurdles. Has yet to race beyond two miles on the level and has the stamina to prove.
Novel Legend
Trainer: James Fanshawe
Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
Looked good when winning by 6L at Newbury in April and was well-backed when taking a keen hold in the Chester Cup consolation race and finding Zinc White 2 1/4L too good for him. Raised 6lb now and appears best on soft ground.
East Asia
Trainer: Ian Williams
Jockey: Pat Dobbs
Yet to race beyond two miles and was behind Pleasant Man at Musselburgh over 1M 6F last time out. 7lb higher than last win and an unlikely winner here.
Law of the Sea
Trainer: Ian Williams
Jockey: David Egan
Possibly unlucky in the 2M 2 1/2F Chester Cup when constantly denied a run finishing fourth to Metier and ran well when 3/4L runner up to Solent Gateway at Haydock over two miles since. This longer trip should suit and can run well each way on a pound better terms with Solent Gateway.
Themaxwecan
Trainer: Charlie Johnston
Jockey: Jamie Spencer
Has a good record here of two wins from six starts and was 10th of 19 in last year’s race off of a 5lb higher handicap mark. Wasn’t disgraced when third to the re-opposing pair of Solent Gateway and Law Of The Sea last time and has small place claims.
Achnamara
Trainer: Harry Fry
Jockey: Saffie Osborne
Last seen on flat when winning at Wolverhampton on the all-weather last October 1M 6F. Has left Charlie Johnston’s since and has been beaten three times over hurdles for their new stable. Has had a wind operation since last seen.
Zinc White
Trainer: Ian Williams
Jockey: Jim Crowley
Bounced back from a 561-day absence when winning the Chester Cup consolation race in May by 2 1/4L from the re-opposing Novel Legend. Has been raised 8lb for that victory but is very ground dependent. Were the ground to ride soft he would be a definite player.
Ascot Stakes Betting Tips
This race revolves around Willie Mullin’s runner-up from last year Bring On The Night who is only 3lb higher than when running Coltrane to 3/4L then. That horse is now 19lb higher and pushing for favouritism in the Gold Cup later in the week. He’s not been seen since but with Ryan Moore booked and with Mullins having such a good record in this race of four winners from the last ten years as well as three runners up looks the the one to beat despite his skinny enough odds.
Law Of The Sea will appreciate a return to further here and can make the frame along with Ahorsewithnoname and were the ground to soften Zinc White becomes a major player.
1. Bring On The Night @ 9/4 with William Hill promo code
2. Law Of The Sea @ 12/1 with William Hill
3. Ahorsewithnoname @ 15-2 with BetVictor promo code
All odds are available at the time of writing.
