Royal Ascot Tuesday Tips: Best bets for Day 1 in Berkshire

Royal Ascot is finally here and we have five cracking days in store for Flat racing’s biggest meeting, with three Group 1 races up for grabs and several other intriguing races on Tuesday. 

Here's our race-by-race look at Day 1 of Royal Ascot, which runs from 14:30-18:15 on Tuesday afternoon and which is headlined by the St James’s Palace Stakes at 16:25.

14:30 - Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1, 1m)

Maljoom (stall 13) should get a lovely tow into the Queen Anne from front-runner Audience (14) and this five-year-old is dangerous to underestimate. He was the unluckiest loser of the week when a close-up fourth in the St James’s Palace two years ago and has had his problems since, but should be all the better for his return in the Paradise Stakes here when making the running wouldn’t have suited. We can expect more now and the lack of a gelding operation suggests connections are still trying to make a sire out of him. 

Selection: Maljoom

15:05 - Coventry Stakes (Group 2, 6f)

Cowardofthecounty looked a strong stayer at 6f when outfoxing subsequent Listed winner Whistlejacket (ante-post favourite for the Norfolk Stakes) on his debut at the Curragh, recording a big Racing Post Rating for a newcomer. He wasn’t particularly fancied in the betting that day and there should be plenty of improvement incoming for his second outing. Feared most is ante-post gamble Francisco’s Piece, who is worth trying over an extra furlong and is more battle-hardened with three runs to his name. 

Selection: Cowardofthecounty

15:45 - King Charles III Stakes (Group 1, 5f)

Possessing high-class 6f form is no bad thing in the 5f races at Ascot and Sprint Cup winner Regional, who also lowered the Haydock 5f track record last term, looks the way to go for Ed Bethell. The fact he ran so well on his comeback at the Curragh when he was expected to have needed the outing bodes well for his chances here as he only gave best to a smart, hard-fit rival who arrived from off the pace. A second Group 1 awaits as he switches to a set of circumstances which are near optimal.   

Selection: Regional

16:25 - St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1, 1m)

A superb running of the St James’s Palace containing winners of the English, Irish and French 2,000 Guineas. Rosallion is of most interest from that group, although Henry Longfellow looks a formidable opponent. Only eighth in the French Classic, he was caught too far back in a race that wasn’t run to suit and there should be a better gallop on for this son of Dubawi to show his true ability. Expect a much-improved showing from what we saw at Longchamp.

Selection: Henry Longfellow

17:05 - Ascot Stakes (2m4f)

There are always hard-luck stories on the Roodee and Zanndabad was one in the Chester Cup. He suffered a poor trip from a wide draw there, but made excellent late headway to only lose out by a length. On another day he would have won, so there is plenty to like off just 2lb higher in the Ascot Stakes with champion jockey William Buick taking over in the saddle. His hurdles run at this track in March was a good sighter for this. 

Selection: Zanndabad

17:40 - Wolferton Stakes (Listed, 1m2f)

Botanical and Torito are progressive four-year-olds open to further improvement in the Wolferton, but Israr holds a class edge and should be tough to beat. He bumped into a top-class colt in Passenger at Chester last time and that horse would have likely won the Prince of Wales’s Stakes if he didn’t pick up an untimely injury. A well-run 1m2f should be just the ticket for Israr, who should probably be going for the Prince of Wales’s. 

Selection: Israr

18:15 - Copper Horse Handicap (1m6f)

It could be worth taking a flyer on Beamish at a massive price in the Copper Horse. Archie Watson saddled three winners at this meeting last season and this 104-rated six-year-old has been given an entry in the Group 1 Irish St Leger later in the campaign. Expect improvement from this lightly raced sort’s sixth at Newbury in April following 544 days off. He is just the type Watson and his owners excel with and the fitting of first-time cheekpieces could see him raise his game. 

Selection: Beamish