Royal Ascot Wednesday Tips: Best bets for Day 2

Royal Ascot continues on Wednesday with one of the most exciting, if challenging betting days of the whole Flat season.

There are seven races in all, with more than 145 horses declared the majority of which will run in the closing three races.

Here's our race-by-race look at day two of Royal Ascot 2024, which runs from 14:30-18:15 on Wednesday afternoon and which is headlined by the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at 16:20.

14:30 - Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2, 5f)

No fewer than 26 will go to post for this sprint for two-year-old fillies. More often than not the winner comes from a high stall as the near rail has a tendency to keep these inexperienced horses straight. 

MIGHTY ERIU is drawn in stall 24 and makes a lot of appeal. She showed bags of speed over six furlongs on her debut, mixing it with the well-regarded Tunbridge Wells until her fitness and stamina gave out. 

She has since been bought privately by deep-pocketed owners and is expected to have a big future.

Selection: Mighty Eriu

15:05 - Queen's Vase (Group 2, 1m6f)

It has been a quick journey from maidens to Group company for HIGHBURY, but he has justified the faith shown in him to this point and is well worth a try in this grade.

Highbury still looked to be green when winning by over seven lengths at Leopardstown last time. You can expect him to improve again. The form of that win has worked out, too, with several in behind either winning next time or at least showing improved form.

Stablemate Illinois is favourite, but is more of a failed Derby type while this race tends to be won by horses on their way to the St Leger. Highbury sits more comfortably in that category.

Selection: Highbury

15:45 - Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2, 1m)

Laurel has not run in over a year, while Rogue Millenium won this race 12 months ago, but has recently moved yards. There could be a shock and DOOM looks like the one to provide it.

This filly is by Dubawi, out of a mare who thrived on fast ground in America. As such, she ought to suit this mile test on quick ground more than the soft-ground seven-furlong races she has contested to this point. She is fit and remains with room to improve.

Selection: Doom

16:25 - Prince Of Wales's Stakes (Group 1, 1m2f)

Auguste Rodin is a bit all-or-nothing. He won four Group 1s last year, but on his other starts finished virtually last, including on his only run at Ascot. He is also yet to show beyond doubt that he has held his form at four.

The one to oppose him with is HORIZON DORE, who has been campaigned aggressively this spring to mop up the Group 1 opportunities. He has fallen just short, but has been within a length of the winner in Group 1s the last twice.

On top of that, Horizon Dore ran a blinder when third in the Champion Stakes at Ascot in October. He seems sure to run a big race and is best placed to take advantage of any wobble from Auguste Rodin.

Selection: Horizon Dore

17:05 - Royal Hunt Cup (1m)

Last year PEROTTO was favourite for this 30-runner cavalry charge. He finished only tenth, but he seemed to gain from the experience as he won two of his remaining three starts in 2023.

One of those wins was at Ascot, so Perotto clearly suits the track. He remains with potential for the Roger Varian yard and is worth a chance to right last year's wrong.

Selection: Perotto

17:40 - Kensington Palace Stakes (1m)

In races on Ascot's straight course you could do a lot worse than seek out Jamie Spencer's name and it is notable that in this race he teams up with ELIM.

This unexposed filly is trained by Edward Bethell. Spencer has ridden just twice for Bethell before, so there is presumably confidence in Elim somewhere. 

That would be no surprise, as she is unexposed and was sent off favourite on her reappearance. She seemed to lack fitness a little that day, but will have no such issue here.

Selection: Elim

18:15 - Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed, 5f)

Aidan O'Brien has got TREASURE ISLE well readied for Royal Ascot. He is one of relatively few in this field to have run twice and he looked to know his job well when blasting out from the stalls at Naas last time.

His winning performance that day is the best on offer in this race and he can follow Little Big Bear, Southern Hills and Washington DC in winning this race for O'Brien.

Selection: Treasure Isle