Horse racing tips: Best bets for Royal Ascot day 1
15 Jun
Ascot
Guy Giles
With Royal Ascot set to kick off on Tuesday, our expert reveals his best tips for every single race of day one.

13.15

We begin with the Buckingham Palace Handicap where we’re paying six places, so my each-way pick would be CLIFFS OF CAPRI.

The six-year-old has a nice record on course (1531) and caused a big upset when winning over at Meydan in February as a 40/1 shot.

A nice runners-up spot to Jack’s Point at Newmarket two weeks ago was a nice warm-up and I’m optimistic that he’ll run on to place here.

13.50

The first Group 1 is up next and I’m backing Betway ambassador Andrew Balding to take the spoils with FOX CHAIRMAN 13/2.

He was runner-up in the Hampton Court to Sangarius last year and won a Listed race at Newbury in his previous outing.

I think the ground and trip should suit him and I’m hoping for another vintage Silvestre De Sousa ride.

14:25

I was so impressed with FRANKLY DARLING 11/8 when racing returned at Newcastle two weeks ago and she’d be my NAP of the day.

The Frankel filly really accelerated home that day and won by five lengths in a very dominant display, so I think this will get Frankie Dettori off the mark for the week.

15:00

Mogul wasn’t disgraced in Group 1 company last time out but I’m taking a chance on Aidan O’Brien’s other runner in ARTHUR’S KINGDOM 9/2.

The colt has a solid record so far (2212) and was also runner-up in Group 1 company at Saint Cloud last October.

It’s not often you see Dettori riding for O’Brien, and I’m hopeful he’ll run a really big race.

15:35

Battaash should walk this race if he brings his A game but his course record worries me, so I’m taking an each-way chance on LIBERTY BEACH 8/1.

She’s won five from a possible seven and looked very good in the Betway Fillies’ Stakes at Haydock two weeks ago.

Having weight on the rest of the field as a three-year-old filly should work in her favour and I’d be surprised if she’s not right up there.

16:10

I’m a big fan of William Haggas’ MISS O CONNOR 13/2 and think she has a big chance in the Duke of Cambridge.

She’s unbeaten having won all four so far and was last seen recording a Group 3 victory at Saint Cloud last October.

This is undoubtably her biggest test so far, but she’s proven over 1m and having James Doyle in the saddle is a massive boost.

16:40

We’re paying five places in the Ascot Stakes, so I have two each-way fancies to hopefully end the day on a high.

The first of those is Ralph Beckett’s MOON KING 7/1, who won five in a row in 2019 but disappointed in his final two runs before the turn of the year.

He got back to winning ways in a Betway-sponsored handicap at Haydock last week in a strong field and, given Beckett’s recent form, I think he’s one of the main dangers.

The other one I like is Ian Williams’ BLUE LAUREATE 14/1, who finished runner-up behind the aforementioned Moon King in that run at Haydock.

Nicely handicapped at 9-2, and with Cieren Fallon’s 3lb claim to boot, I think he’s another who should go on to place.

WIN DOUBLE

FOX CHAIRMAN 13/2FRANKLY DARLING 11/8

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