Free Bets
This Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes race has had various names over the years and is now named after the late Queen who sadly passed away in September of last year. It is the final Group 1 of the meeting over 6f and whilst there was a shock in the race last year with 33/1 shot Naval Crown winning, the biggest SP of the 6 previous winners was just 9/2. On the age front, a 4 or 5-year-old has won 9 of the previous 10 runnings. Here are my free Royal Ascot tips for this third race of the day on Saturday afternoon.
Al Suhail
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: William Buick
Was sent off favourite for the Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night and finished 3rd one place behind The Astrologist. The concern is he was outpaced over this course and distance last October and I suspect he probably needs another furlong.
Artorius
Trainers: Anthony & Sam Freedman
Jockey: James McDonald
Came into this race last year having not won since February 2021 although he had run some very good races in top-class affairs. His run style means he is always going to come from behind which obviously means he might not always get luck in running which is what certainly happened as he ended up dead-heating for 3rd beating just 0.75L.
He then went to Newmarket for the July Cup and finished another good 3rd behind Alcohol Free before running a bit below par in the Prix Maurice de Gheest when 6th to Highfield Princess, but he did pull really hard that day so I think we can overlook that effort. Returned to Australia and landed the G1 Canterbury Stakes which is good form as the 2nd won a G1 on its next start and then he stepped up in trip to 1500m for the George Ryder where he was beaten a less-than-a-length into 4th by Cox Plate winner Anamoe. For me, he comes into this race in better form than he was in last year and has a huge chance.
Art Power
Trainer: Tom Easterby
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Landed the Palace Of Holyroodhouse in 2020 and 3rd in this race in 2021. Did return until August last year so missed the Royal meeting, but did land a G3 at the Curragh. Was well beaten on his return behind Highfield Princess at York, but bounced back in great style to bolt up in the G2 Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh over 6f. Given he tends to run well over C&D he could well hit the frame at a double-figure price.
Big Invasion
Trainer: Christophe Clement
Jockey: Jim Crowley
Won 7 of his 11 races in America so you always have to respect that although last time was the first time he ran at G1 level and he was just beaten into 2nd. The rating he recorded in that race does make him a contender in this.
Cannonball
Trainers: Peter & Paul Snowden
Jockey: Daniel Tudhope
Drifted like a barge for the King’s Stand which wasn’t a surprise as his form in Australia didn’t look good enough and he duly finished last. Hard to see him doing any better here.
Coeur De Pierre
Trainer: M Delcher Sanchez
Jockey: Tony Piccone
Only run in one G1 which was last year’s Abbaye where he finished 3rd behind The Platinum Queen and went on to win a G3 at Chantilly. Was travelling really well on his return over 5f at Chantilly in June but couldn’t get a clear run until just before the line and he had no chance to close. Clearly should have gone much closer and he does seem to be better than ever at the age of 7.
Emaraaty Ana
Trainer: Kevin Ryan
Jockey: Neil Callan
Well beaten at York on his return and was well beaten in this last year. Did finish 3rd to Highfield Princess in the Nunthorpe last year and was then 2nd in the Sprint Cup at Haydock and the Breeders’ Cup. Has had a wind op since the York run, but I suspect that won’t make the difference to make the improvement needed to win this.
Khaadem
Trainer: Charlie Hills
Jockey: Jamie Spencer
Landed the King George Stakes over 5f at Goodwood last year, but that is a very different test to this one and can’t see him being good enough.
Kinross
Trainer: Ralph Beckett
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Can he give Frankie Dettori a final G1 winner at Royal Ascot? I don’t think so. 7f is his trip and whilst he took the British Champions Sprint here in October that came with dig in the ground which I think he needs over 6f. He was an outpaced 8th in this last year and it wouldn’t surprise me if it was the same this year especially first up.
Rohaan
Trainer: David Evans
Jockey: Adam Kirby
Superb record here winning 4 times from 6 starts including the Wokingham in 2021 and 2022 and a G3 in October. Was 4th to Kinross on Champions Day and 4th to Highfield Princess at Deauville so is capable at this level. Would imagine we will see a different horse from his seasonal return at Salisbury and is a place contender at least.
Run To Freedom
Trainer: Henry Candy
Jockey: Dane O’Neill
Only 10th in this last year although was 2nd to Kinross on Champions Day. Won at Salisbury last time, but I do think he needs to find a bit more to win this.
The Astrologist
Trainers: Leon & Troy Corstens
Jockey: Damian Lane
Doesn’t win very often and his only win in 19 starts came in a G3 at the Australian Ascot in a G3 in December. 2nd at Meydan brings him into this and did step up on a rusty performance at York when 2nd at Haydock. I’m still not sure he will be good enough to win this though and Artorius has the much better form Australian-wise.
Wellington
Trainer: Richard Gibson
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Has only ever run at Sha Tin so does have a different track to deal with, but I have been told that a straight course should suit his run style. Is a 4 time G1 winner over 6f and 7f so he should have no trouble with a stiff 6f. He has been getting beaten by a horse called Lucky Sweynesse who is arguably the best sprinter in the world right now. I’ve also been told that he hasn’t been suited by the dawdle that the races have been run over of late and the fast pace he will get here will suit him. Ryan Moore has won a G1 on him already so knows the horse and he should have a massive chance.
Highfield Princess
Trainer: John Quinn
Jockey: Jason Hart
I think she was slightly unfortunate not to win on Tuesday as I thought she was coming back at Bradsell and was put off by the winner drifting across. Given the margin, the result was never going to be changed. The plan was always to try and back up in this in a very Australian way of doing things. There wasn’t a huge gap between her Deauville and York wins last season so there are signs that she might be able to put in another huge performance and she has to go on any shortlist.
Sacred
Trainer: William Haggas
Jockey: Tom Marquand
Beaten a length into 5th in this last year when running on just too late. She is better over 7f and won again over that trip at Lingfield racecourse last month. I can see her running well but have my doubts about her being good enough to win a G1 over this trip, especially one as hot as this.
Sandrine
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: David Probert
Won the Albany a couple of years ago and landed the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood last year. Been behind Sacred and Run To Freedom this season though and hard to see her being good enough.
Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes Betting Tips
What a race we have in prospect with contenders from Australia, France, the USA, and Hong Kong to add in to the mix. I think there is much more depth to this than the King’s Stand on Tuesday as well. I’m going to just side with Wellington to make it a win for Hong Kong. Lucky Sweynesse would be the favourite for this so given how close he has been getting to him recently if he brings that form to the UK then he has to go very close.
Artorius is just behind him and I will be backing last year’s 3rd as well. He is coming to Ascot in better form than he was in last year and given how close he went to winning last year I would be amazed if he doesn’t better that this time around.
Highfield Princess, Rohaan and Art Power all made some sort of appeal as being 3rd, but I am just going to side with the French raider Coeur De Pierre. In theory, quick ground would be a concern, but they clocked a fast time in the Chantilly race which suggests to me it was quicker than the good ground given and given he got no luck in running he is clearly in great form. I think he will go under the radar so could offer some e/w value.
1st Wellington e/w @ 11/2 with Bet365 bonus code
2nd Artorius @ 4/1 with William Hill promo code
3rd Coeur De Pierre e/w 25/1 with Paddy Power promo code
All odds are accurate at the time of writing.
