Royal Ascot day four tips: Inspiral to come back with a bang

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

2.30 Albany Stakes (Group Three)

Aidan O’Brien’s juveniles always warrant respect at Royal Ascot and have been running well once again this term, so it is hard to look beyond Meditate at 5/2.

Sired by No Nay Never, just like Tuesday’s well-backed Windsor Castle winner Little Big Bear, this filly has posted professional victories at the Curragh and Naas and sets a strong standard.

3.05 Commonwealth Cup (Group One)

Ehraz (6/1) hasn’t quite lived up to some lofty expectations since landing a course and distance maiden last July but we’re hoping everything comes together for him on the big occasion.

Richard Hannon’s charge just failed to overcome trouble in running when a short-head second to Tiber Flow at Newbury last time out but ran as though coming home strong off a fast pace will suit him in this contest.

3.40 Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes

Johnny Murtagh rode 48 Royal Ascot winners as a jockey and broke his duck as a trainer 12 months ago with Create Belief, partnered by Ben Coen.

They team up again with 8/1 shot Mashhoor, who showed plenty of promise when with Sir Michael Stoute and claimed a nice prize for current connections at the Curragh last month, storming four lengths clear of the second in a competitive 19-runner contest.

4.20 Coronation Stakes (Group One)

Cachet will be a popular choice after following up her 1,000 Guineas success at Newmarket with a narrow second in the French equivalent, but her brave, front-running tactics could just take a toll after those tough contests.

Inspiral, on the other hand, should be as fresh as a proverbial daisy after being forced to sit out the Classics due to a slight setback and can hopefully now recapture her superb juvenile form on her first run at three.

The daughter of Frankel, the 9/4 favourite, had a number of these rivals behind her, including Cachet, when successful in the May Hill Stakes at Doncaster and the Group One Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket in the autumn and only needs to be back at that level to pick up where she left off.

5.00 Sandringham Stakes

Hayley Turner secured back-to-back victories in this event in 2019 and 2020 on 33/1 outsiders Thanks Be and Onassis, both trained by Charlie Fellowes, and Fresh Hope has every chance of giving that pair another triumph this term at 8/1.

The three-year-old filly coped well with a sound surface when getting up close home at Doncaster last month and appears to have plenty of scope for more improvement.

5.35 King Edward VII Stakes (Group Two)

Changingoftheguard (13/8) just seemed to let the occasion get to him when fifth in the Derby but will take plenty of beating here if back to the level of his wide-margin romp in the Chester Vase.

6.10 Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes

It has been a tough week so far for American trainer Wesley Ward and Puerto Rican jockey Irad Ortiz, in particular, but speedy filly Ruthin (10/1) can help to redress the balance by proving a class apart under top weight.

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All odds and markets correct as of date of publication