Royal Ascot Day Five (Sat 21st June 2025 )

Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (4yo+) Winner £141,775 12 runners 1m3f211y Good To Firm ITV (STALLS Inside)

 

race conditions  £250,000 guaranteed For  4yo+ Weights  colts & geldings 9st 3lb; fillies 9st Entries  18 pay £2,500 Penalty value  1st  £141,775.00 2nd  £53,750.00 3rd  £26,900.00 4th  £13,400.00 5th  £6,725.00 6th  £3,375.00 

 

12 Runners declared for good looking G2 contest on fast ground .

 

The likable 7-Y-0 Gelding REBELS ROMANCE is 5lb clear on offical ratings, having won 7 times in group one company. Clearly the one to beat on form, though only just scrambled home in Yorkshire Cup last time over 1M 6F last time .The Charlie Appleby stable are struggling for winners this week at Ascot (0 out 10) .So not for me at around 5-2 .

 

AL RIFFA looks interesting in first time blinkers, had some decent form last season, including finishing second in the Eclipse behind City Of Troy .Finished creditable third in 1M 2F G2 Neom Turf  Cup in February behind Shin Emperor. Will be suited returning to 12 furlongs. Solid each-way claims at around 5-1 or bigger .

 

SPACE LEGEND looks best of the rest, ran well in G2 company last season, including finishing 5L second in this race last year behind Calandagan .Place claims .

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VERDICT : (1) AL RIFFA (2) REBELS ROMANCE (3) SPACE LEGEND 

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Jersey Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo) Winner £85,065 15 runners 7f Good To Firm ITV (STALLS Centre)

 

race conditions  £150,000 guaranteed For  3yo Weights  colts & geldings 9st 3lb; fillies 9st Penalties  after August 31st, 2024, a winner of a Group 3 race 3lb; of a Group 1 or Group 2 race 5lb Entries  26 pay £1,500 Penalty value  1st  £85,065.00 2nd  £32,250.00 3rd  £16,140.00 4th  £8,040.00 5th  £4,035.00 6th  £2,025.00 

 

15 Runners declared for 7 furlong Jersey Stakes  

 

The Donnacha O'Brien trained COMANCHE BRAVE , should go well returning to 7 furlongs after finishing fair fifth in Irish 2000 Guineas last time , had previously finished good second to French 2000 guineas winner Henri Mateste in the Red Rocks stakes over this trip. Will be suited returning to G3 company with Ryan Moore booked for first time .Odds 4-1 or above look fair value .

 

The main danger looks to be Andrew Balding trained MAVELMAN , has shown progressive form this season , including finishing good second in listed company in King Charles 11 stakes at Newmarket last time, behind the Irish 2000 guineas runner up  Cosmic Year . Looks open to further improvement .

 

Of the others Irish 1000 guineas runner up CALIFORNIA DREAMS is consistent sort, no match for Lake Victoria last time , though drop back to 7 furlongs should suit, not best win record (1 out 11) though fair place claims in this lesser race .

 

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VERDICT : (1) COMANCHE BRAVE (2) MAVELMAN (3) CALIFORNIA DREAMS 

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ROYAL ASCOT DAY FIVE SELECTIONS

AL RIFFA 3.05 HARDWICKE STAKES

1PT EACH-WAY @ 5-1 BET365

1/5 ODDS 1-2-3-4 

 

COMANCHE BRAVE 4.20 JERSEY STAKES 

1PT EACH-WAY @ 9-2 BET365

1/5 ODDS 1-2-3-4 

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1/4 PT EACH-WAY DOUBLE @ 32-1 BET365 

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