Royal Ascot Day Four Preview & Odds
Here at betting.bet we’ll preview all seven races, offering our opinions and tips across the entire afternoon as well as the latest race odds
Day four of Royal Ascot features seven more hotly-anticipated races and gets underway with the Group 3 Albany Stakes before a Group 1 double in the Commonwealth Cup and Coronations Stakes. Here at betting.bet we’ll preview all seven races, offering our opinions and tips across the entire afternoon as well as the latest race odds from our partners at Ladbrokes.
2:30 - Albany Stakes
The Albany Stakes is one of Royal Ascot’s newest editions having been established upon the meeting’s expansion in 2002. Initially run as a Listed contest, the Albany Stakes was awarded Group 3 status in 2005. Open to two-year-old fillies, Friday’s first race is contested over a straight 6f. Last year’s race was won by Coronation Stakes hopeful Porta Fortuna for trainer Donnacha O’Brien.
Aidan O’Brien is eyeing a record-equalling third Albany Stakes win after previously enjoying success in the race with both Brave Anna (2016) and Meditate (2022). Both Fairy Godmother and Heavens Gate have been well-supported in the betting. Fairy Godmother won at Naas last time out in a race that has produced the past two Albany winners and she is undoubtedly the one to beat on Friday. Stablemate Heavens Gate won comfortably at the Curragh last time out with Ryan Moore on board but perhaps tellingly, Moore has opted to saddle Fairy Godmother for this.
The main danger to the O’Brien pair is Mountain Breeze for trainer Charlie Appleby. The exciting Godolphin prospect is 2/2 following a couple of impressive runs at Newmarket last month.
Trainer Archie Watson has an excellent Royal Ascot record with his two-year-olds and he has to enter the conversation with outsider Twafeeg. Won with plenty to spare at Doncaster despite running green throughout. Will certainly be better for that run and cannot be ruled out for a place at least.
| Albany Stakes | Odds |
|---|---|
| Fairy Godmother | 7/4 |
| Mountain Breeze | 7/2 |
| Heavens Gate | 8/1 |
| Twafeeg | 9/1 |
| Royalty Bay, Simmering | 14/1 |
| Burning Pine, California Dreamer | 18/1 |
| Liberalised | 25/1 |
| Hot Darling | 28/1 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 40/1 |
| Convo, Substitute | 66/1 |
| Jayvee | 80/1 |
| Nad Alshiba Snow | 100/1 |
| Cradle Of Love | 125/1 |
| Kylie Of Lochalsh | 150/1 |
3:05 - Commonwealth Cup
The Commonwealth Cup is the first Group 1 race of the day and despite the race being in its relative infancy, it is one of the most hotly-anticipated races of the entire week. Introduced in 2015 and open exclusively to three-year-olds, this 6f straight sprint often features some of the best two-year-olds from the previous year.
This year’s race looks like a pretty open contest but race favourite Inisherin has attracted considerable support. Inisherin heads to Royal Ascot on the back of an excellent first run over 6f. As a miler, Inisherin finished second on debut and went one better to win a novice race on Newcastle’s all-weather track. Led the 2000 Guineas at the 6f mark but could not see out the trip and eventually finished sixth. Stepped back to 6f at Haydock last time out and duly obliged in the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes.
Elite Status won last month’s Carnarvon Stakes at Newbury last month but remains unexposed for trainer Karl Burke. The in-form Burke team won this race in 2016 whilst Elite Status was a close third in last year’s Norfolk Stakes. Certainly a capable type and well-connected but may find at least one too good on Friday.
The leading trio in the betting also features Jasour for trainer Clive Cox. Jasour is a real threat to the Sheikh Momahmmed-owned Inisherin and Elite Status. Winner of the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket last summer and despite flopping in a couple of subsequent Group 1 races, Jasour was thrust right back in contention by winning over C&D in last month’s Commonwealth Cup Trial.
At a bigger price, Lake Forest is one to watch in the betting. A close second to Jasour in last year’s July Cup and not disgraced with fourth behind King’s Gamble at Newmarket a month later. Won the Group Gimcrack Stakes at York but not seen since a below-par run in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes 265 days ago.
| Commonwealth Cup | Odds |
|---|---|
| Inisherin | 5/2 |
| Elite Status | 7/2 |
| Jasour | 11/2 |
| Starlust | 8/1 |
| Givemethebeatboys | 14/1 |
| Kind Of Blue, Malc, Military, Pandora's Gift | 16/1 |
| Evade, Orne | 20/1 |
| Lake Forest, Pocklington | 25/1 |
| Classic Flower | 33/1 |
| Louis Barthas | 100/1 |
3:45 - Coronation Stakes
The second Group 1 race of the day is the Coronation Stakes. Established back in 1840, the Coronation Stakes is open to three-year-old fillies and contested over 7f. The race often attracts some of the year’s leading horses from the English, Irish and French 1000 Guineas.
Last year’s Coronations Stakes was won by Tahiyra who also won the Irish 1000 Guineas after finishing second when favourite in the English equivalent. This year’s renewal features the first three home in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket with race winner Elmalka hoping to become the first horse to win both races since Winter in 2017.
However, it is Opera Singer for trainer Aidan O’Brien that currently heads the betting despite only managing third in the Irish 1000 Guineas. Opera Singer won the Group 1 Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp and remains a major player on that form
Ramatuelle was only third in the 1000 Guineas but certainly looked a match for the leading pair on her first run outside of France. Could perhaps be better suited to Ascot than Newmarket and is a leading player for trainer Christoper Head.
We had tipped Porta Fortuna as one to watch in the 1000 Guineas and are excited by the Irish challenger’s chances once more here. Porta Fortuna won the Albany Stakes here twelve months ago and has not finished outside of the top three in any of her previous eight runs. Solid form on all ground and at every distance from 5f to 1m. Kept on gamely in the 1000 Guineas and has already enjoyed Group 1 success in Britain having landed the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket last September.
| Coronation Stakes | Odds |
|---|---|
| Opera Singer | 6/4 |
| Elmalka | 10/3 |
| Ramatuelle | 4/1 |
| Porta Fortuna | 7/1 |
| Rouhiya | 11/1 |
| Content | 20/1 |
| Skellet | 25/1 |
| See The Fire | 33/1 |
| Folgaria | 40/1 |
4:25 - Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes
The first big handicap of the day is the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes. Established in 1914 as the Bessborough Stakes before being renamed in honour of Prince Phillip, Duke Of Edinburgh in 1999. The race is contested over 1m4f and open to horses aged three years and above.
There are 17 confirmed runners for this year’s renewal and Ethical Diamond is the red-hot favourite for champion trainer Willie Mullins. Five-time winning jockey Ryan Moore will ride Ethical Diamond who heads to Ascot on the back of a strong run when second in a solid handicap at Leopardstown last month. The dual-purpose four-year-old has one previous run in Britain as he was well-beaten in the Triumph Hurdle at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.
Last year’s winning trainer, Joseph O’Brien is back again this year and has another major player in Deakin. The four-year-old ended 2023 with back-to-back wins over Friday’s 1m4f distance and was only beaten by a neck on his first run of 2024 at the end of May. This race has long been the target and he has an excellent chance for a leading trainer.
Crystal Black got the better of Deakin at the Curragh last time out and they will renew their rivalry again here. Crystal Black’s last four races boast figures of 131-11 however, this is his first run outside of Ireland and a first over longer than 1m2f. Bred to go further but this is a tough assignment.
| Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes | Odds |
|---|---|
| Ethical Diamond | 9/4 |
| Crystal Black | 4/1 |
| Deakin | 7/1 |
| Safecracker, Bague D'or | 11/1 |
| Shadow Dance | 12/1 |
| Sea King | 14/1 |
| Party Central, Sheer Rocks, Ziggy | 16/1 |
| Fairbanks, Vaguely Royal | 18/1 |
| Struth, Tony Montana | 20/1 |
| Epic Poet | 25/1 |
| Marhaba The Champ | 28/1 |
| Cumulonimbus | 40/1 |
| Kolossal, Mandoob | 66/1 |
5:05 - Sandringham Stakes
The Sandringham Stakes or Sandringham Handicap as it's also known, is a 1m handicap race open to three-year-old horses. Contested over a straight mile, the race attracts huge fields with 29 confirmed entries for this year’s renewal. Formerly part of the Ascot Heath meeting, the race has been contested at Royal Ascot since 2022.
Indelible is the race favourite for trainer Ralph Beckett. Returned from a 208-day break to land a novice race over 1m at Doncaster last month and we’re likely to see this talented filly is likely to be seen in Group-level races sooner rather than later. In-form jockey Hector Crouch saddled 18/1 winner Doha on his only race across the first two days of this year’s Royal Ascot meeting.
Oisin Murphy landed a superb double on Wednesday to take his tally up to three Royal Ascot winners for the week. Murphy won on Asfoora on Tuesday before earning further wins on Running Lion and Wild Tiger on Wednesday. The in-form jockey will ride Kitty Rose in the Sandringham and she could go well off top weight. Kitty Rose has finished second in back-to-back Group 3 races and is drawn well in stall 22.
Another that could go well from a plum draw is Flight Of Fancy for Aidan O’Brien. A beaten favourite last time out at the Curragh and despite Ryan Moore opting for the other Ballydoyle contender Everlasting, Flight Of Fancy could prove to be the stable’s best prospect.
Hard To Resist runs for William Haggas in the famous royal silks and could give King Charles III another Royal Ascot winner. Decent form in Group-level races as a two-year-old but connections have obviously been eyeing this race for a while.
Last year’s winning trainers John and Thady Gosden return this year with four entries but all are likely to be competing for minor places at best. All four are rather weak in the betting but of the quartet, preference is for Cat Ninja over Mrs Morrell, D Flawless and Strutting.
| Sandringham Stakes | Odds |
|---|---|
| Indelible | 5/1 |
| Kitty Rose | 8/1 |
| Everlasting | 10/1 |
| Forever Blue, Flight Of Fancy, Without Words, Zaynab | 14/1 |
| Hard To Resist, Fair Angelica | 16/1 |
| Cat Ninja, Nocturnal | 20/1 |
| Arisaig, Shin Jidai | 22/1 |
| Julica, Soprano, Asian Daze, Uluru, Mrs Morrell, Battle Queen | 25/1 |
| D Flawless | 33/1 |
| Zenjabeela, Rochelle, My Margie, Viennoise | 40/1 |
| Sattwaa, Bellarchi, Marcella, Raknah, Strutting | 50/1 |
| Gushing Gold | 100/1 |
5:40 - King Edward VII Stakes
The penultimate race on Friday’s card is a strong looking renewal of the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes. Contested by three year old colts and gelding over 1m4f, this race was established back in 1834. The race often attracts several top horses that previously ran in Derby and recent King Edward VII Stakes renewals have been won by the likes of Nathaniel (2011), Japan (2019) and Pyledriver (2020). Last year’s race was won by King Of Steel who has since gone on to win the Group 1 Champion Stakes.
Aidan O’Brien has three of the first six in the betting and all three have an excellent chance of winning. Diego Velazquez won the Group 2 Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown last September but has not quite made the step up in three Group 1 races since. Not drops back into Group 2 company and has an excellent chance under three-time racing King Edward VII Stakes winner Ryan Moore. Stablemate Agenda was second in the Chester Vase last time out and should give another good account whilst Chief Little Rock could be the pick of the bunch. Attracting plenty of interest in the market following a comfortable Group 3 win at the Curragh last month following on from a close third behind Bellum Justum in a Listed contest at Epsom in April.
Away from the Ballydoyle trio, Space Legend looks a real prospect for trainer William Haggas. Won a maiden race at Leicester in April on his first run of the year and was unlucky not to follow that win up when running on gamely at Goodwood last month.
Theory Of Tides is the only runner with form over Friday’s 1m4f having landed a novice race at Yarmouth last month. A quick-fire double in May lines him up nicely for this and although the King Edward VII Stakes represents a considerable step up in class, he comes from a yard that boasts three previous wins in this race.
| King Edward VII Stakes | Odds |
|---|---|
| Space Legend | 7/2 |
| Diego Velazquez | 4/1 |
| Agenda | 13/2 |
| Calandagan | 7/1 |
| Chief Little Rock | 8/1 |
| Theory Of Tides | 17/2 |
| Voyage | 11/1 |
| Mondo Man | 16/1 |
| Harper's Ferry | 22/1 |
| Macduff, War Rooms | 25/1 |
| Defiance, Royal Supremacy | 33/1 |
| The Euphrates | 40/1 |
6:15 - Palace Of Holyrood House Stakes
We close Friday's racing with yet another red-hot handicap. The Palace Of Holyrood House Stakes is contested over the minimum 5f distance and open to three-year-olds. This year’s Palace Of Holyrood House Stakes renewal has 28 confirmed entries and is wide-open.
Jubilee Walk is the current market leader despite a 7lbs rise in the weights. Last month’s win at York completed a hat-trick as was a real eye-catcher. Trainer James Ferguson has three runners at Ascot on Friday but this represents his best chance of winning.
Dyrholaey represents last year’s winning yard as he prepared to make his turf debut on the back of three straight wins on the all-weather. He is not the only leading prospect hoping to transfer solid AW form onto the turf as Sommelier will line up for Marco Botti in the King Power Racing colours. Only run on the turf came over Friday’s 5f trip and he was far from disgraced when second to Big Evs at York last month. Should suit this stiffer 5f and is a real eye-catcher of such a big price.
Dorney Lake has a 2-2 record since a wind op in the autumn whilst Mukaafah made a winning return to the turf last month. Cool Dividend chased Mukaafah home at Doncaster and has since gone on to win since.
| Palace Of Holyrood House Stakes | Odds |
|---|---|
| Jubilee Walk | 15/2 |
| Mukaafah, Dyrholaey | 10/1 |
| Sommelier, Dorney Lake, Vantheman | 11/1 |
| Woodhay Wonder, Shagraan, Pilgrim | 12/1 |
| Blue Storm, Two Tribes | 16/1 |
| Airman | 18/1 |
| Majestic Beauty | 20/1 |
| Scorchio | 22/1 |
| Dark Vintage, No Half Measures | 25/1 |
| Tazara | 28/1 |
| Got To Love A Grey, Brave Empire, Matters Most, Markakol | 33/1 |
| Mon Na Slieve | 40/1 |
| Toca Madera, Hedge Fund, Billy Webster | 50/1 |
| Symbology, Thunder Blue, Moswaat | 66/1 |
Royal Ascot Day Four Predictions
- 2:30 - Fairy Godmother (7/4)
- 3:05 - Jasour (11/2)
- 3:45 - Porta Fortuna (7/1)
- 4:25 - Deakin (7/1)
- 5:05 - Flight Of Fancy (14/1)
- 5:40 - Chief Little Rock (8/1)
- 6:15 - Sommelier (11/1)
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