Rest of Royal Ascot

The remaining 3 races are also of the greatest interest, starting with the Group Two Coventry Stakes for 2yo´s over 6 furlongs at 17.25 CET, always one of the best juvenile events of the year and won last time by Canford Cliffs. His trainer Richard Hannon now saddles Strong Suit (Richard Hughes), who won his dwbut at Nwbury on good style. The problem is, most of the others can boast similar form. 6 of the 13 runners are still unbeaten, and 11 of them won last time out. Aidan O´Brien has an excellent record in this and has two runners- Zoffany, the choice of stable jockey Johnny Murtagh and Samuel Morse (Ryan Moore), both unbeaten in two starts. Zoffany´s wins came in small fields and probably modest company, but presumably Murtagh knows what he is doing. Elzaam (Michael Jarvis/ Richard Hills) must also be considered after a comfortable win at York, but this is not really a race to bet on.

The Ascot Stakes over 2 1/2 miles at 18.00 is the only handicap of the day and with 20 runners presents its usual problem, compounded by the fact that several of them have been running over hurdles, including likely favourite Ghimaar (Nicky Henderson/ Kieren Fallon), an easy winner at Worcester 9 days ago. He was listed class when with Dermot Weld and despite this rather unorthodox preparation has an obvious chance in this company. We also like Woolfall Treasure (Gary and Ryan Moore) - also a hurdler, and Som Tala (Mick Channon/ Richard Hughes), who has finished in the first 5 in this race for the past 3 seasons and is now on a very nice weight. Jane Chapple-Hyam saddled the winner last year and has two runners now, of whom we prefer Rangefinder (Jamie Spencer).

The final race is the listed Windsor Castle Stakes for 2yo´s over 5 furlongs at 18.35. American trainer Wesley Ward sent over Strike the Tiger to win this last year and now sends another speedball Metropolitan Man (Elvis Trujillo), a spectacular winner of his only start. The dangers are Chilworth Lad (Channon/ Moore) and Oor Jock (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen), but this is another race where almost anything can happen.