After four days of top class action, we head into our final day of Royal Ascot.
14:30 – Listed Chesham Stakes 7f – 2022 Royal Ascot Day 5
With seven in the field having only the second run of their career and one making its debut, this race is a real guessing game
But, the impression that ALFRED MUNNINGS created at Leopardstown last month was one of a top-class horse in the making. Half-brother to Snowfall, he is bred to be very good and at EVS he just might be too good for the rest. Drawn on the golden highway.
15:05 – Group 3 Jersey Stakes 7f – 2022 Royal Ascot Day 5
This race has a lot of strength in depth and the one I’m glad to see running, on the back of her 4th in the 1000 Irish Guineas, is STAR GIRLS AALMAL. Can be found at around 13/2 for Cheltenham Gold Cup winning trainer Henry de Bromhead.
An easy winner at Gowran Park back in April was followed by a good performance in the Irish 1000 Guineas. But 1m seemed to stretch her as she couldn’t see out the distance.
The drop back to 7f looks to be ideal for this filly. Expect a massive run.
15:40 – Group 2 Hardwick Stakes 1m4f – 2022 Royal Ascot Day 5
Last season’s Irish Derby and St Leger winner Hurricane Lane will be hard to beat here if he is fully revved up for his seasonal return, and does not carry a Group 1 penalty.
One at a massive each way price is the Group 3 Hollywoodbets Alleged Stakes winner, LAYFAYETTE, currently around 14/1.
Backed up that win with a Group 2 win at the Curragh and comes here at the top of his game. Trip and group hold no worries and he could cause a bit of a surprise.
16:20 – Group 1 Platinum Jubilee Stakes 6f – 2022 Royal Ascot Day 5
A 27-runner Group 1 (yes, 27-runner Group 1!) but we have a clear favourite in Australian raider HOME AFFAIRS. It looks likely that the land down under will produce two winners at Royal Ascot this week.
Last seen when beating Nature Strip, who bolted up in the Kings Stand on Tuesday, and that form alone makes him the one they all have to get to. If he can navigate from stall 17, he should be very hard to beat.
One at an each way price is HIGHLAND PRINCESS, around about 16/1. Comes in here on the back of two wins, but her win in a Group 2 at York last time out makes her a big player at a massive price.
17:00 – Wokingham Stakes Handicap 6f – 2022 Royal Ascot Day 5
As always, the Wokingham is a race that is very hard to pick apart, but there is one who I really like and that is last year’s winner in ROHAAN.
Form figures of 878 would not fill you with much confidence, but I saw a bit more form him last time out at York to suggest he could be ready to put up a huge run and retain his crown.
Johnny Murtagh’s URBAN BEAT is one who needs to show more as well but the ground is a huge plus and is drawn on the right side to play a big role.
17:35 – Golden Gates Stakes Handicap 1m2f – 2022 Royal Ascot Day 5
Another tricky race to work out but a chance is taken with the Charlie Appleby-trained FALLING SHADOW.
Very green on debut back in November and was first past the post next time out but subsequently disqualified. Made amends by winning wih ease at Newbury last month. Now steps into a handicap where he looks sure to be better than his current mark.
One to also keep and eye on is Aiden O’Brien’s SUN KING. One of the stables lesser stars, but he has always shown potential for a race like this.
18:10 – Queen Alexandra Stakes 2m5f – 2022 Royal Ascot Day 5
The race that brings down curtain on Royal Ascot 2022 and what a way to go out with a 2m4f slog.
Trueshan is entered but it would be very unlikely that he will run with current ground conditions, so with that said I really like the current second favourite WORDSWORTH.
To me this is a trip Wordsworth has been crying out for, for a long time.
The drop back to 1m4f did him no favours at the Curragh last time out and before that he was seen finishing 4th behind Princess Zoe in the Sagaro Stakes.
He has always looked one paced and we should see what he is really capable of over 2m4f.
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