Royal Ascot day five tips: Aussies to complete sprint double

Elite-level horse racing and high fashion combine to make this five-day spectacular a can’t miss event on Britain’s sporting and social calendars.

However, we’re focusing on the action on the turf, as we try to pick out the best bets for Royal Ascot.

2.30 Chesham Stakes

Aidan O’Brien is chasing a hat-trick of wins in this 7f juvenile contest and a record-extending seventh success overall, so evens favourite Alfred Munnings is expected to be all the rage with punters.

This half-brother to Oaks heroine Snowfall galloped on strongly to claim an emphatic triumph at Leopardstown on his racecourse bow last month and looks ideally suited to this track and trip.

3.05 Jersey Stakes (Group Three)

Emerald Isle handler Henry de Bromhead is better known for sending over Cheltenham Festival scorers but has unearthed a smart Flat performer in Star Girls Aalmal, a 7/1 shot.

She followed up convincing victories at Dundalk and Gowran Park by finishing a fine fourth in the Irish 1,000 Guineas when held up to get a mile, so dropping back down in distance should prove a wise move.

3.40 Hardwicke Stakes (Group Two)

Dual Classic winner Hurricane Lane makes a belated seasonal reappearance but will hopefully be fit enough to prove a cut above his rivals as the 4/5 favourite.

Charlie Appleby’s charge finished third in last year’s Epsom Derby before prevailing in the Irish equivalent and later went on to claim top honours in the St Leger at Doncaster.

The son of Frankel also picked up a Group One prize in France in the Grand Prix de Paris and signed off by finishing third in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Fast ground would be the only concern, but Ascot has been well watered all week and there have been no complaints about the running surface so far.

4.20 Platinum Jubilee Stakes (Group One)

Australian duo Chris Waller and James McDonald enjoyed a sensational success with Nature Strip in the King’s Stand Stakes and can make it a sprint double with 15/8 favourite Home Affairs.

This flying three-year-old has already posted two Group One wins at Flemington Down Under and connections are clearly confident enough to rely on him, rather than asking Tuesday’s star to back up as well.

Home Affairs actually held on gamely to edge out his stablemate by a short-head in February’s Black Caviar Lightning event and a repeat of that form will make him a tough nut to crack.

5.00 Wokingham Stakes

Blackrod (7/1) landed a couple of valuable pots at Newmarket and York last summer before finishing third of 24 in the Ayr Silver Cup and has continued on an upward curve this term.

The Michael Dods-trained four-year-old showed a neat turn of foot to score in an ultra-competitive 19-runner event at Newmarket at the end of April and could still be one step ahead of the handicapper despite a 5lb rise up the ratings.

5.35 Golden Gates Stakes

Godolphin have a strong hand here with four fancied runners and we reckon Honiton could be the pick with Frankie Dettori on board at 15/2.

The value of his placed efforts behind My Prospero, Secret State and Eldar Eldarov have all have all been franked by those winners this week and a recent facile success at Sandown will have done his confidence the world of good.

6.10 Queen Alexandra Stakes

Trueshan sidestepped the Gold Cup due to the ground conditions and may not get enough of a change to warrant support here, so Wordsworth looks a solid selection at 11/4.

Last year’s Irish Derby third has run well here twice before, when second in the Queen’s Vase 12 months ago and then a close fourth in April’s Sagaro Stakes.

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All odds and markets correct as of date of publication