Hello and welcome to our expanded coverage of Royal Ascot 2025. Anchoring our FREE coverage of every race will be Steven Bonnick, who will offer all of his Day One thoughts in this post.
Before we get to that, let me give you an overview of everything else we have cooking.
We will have podcasts every day, including an Ascot Top 10 with Nick Luck and Vanessa Ryle.
Here’s the (tentative) lineup for the rest of the week, and if I do say so myself, it’s a who’s who in International Form Analysis. Shows will drop the day before the races in question, with Tuesday and Thursday available now.
Tuesday: Michael Adolphson and Callum Helliwell
Wednesday: The wise old owl himself, Barry Faulkner
Thursday: Michelle Yu
Friday: Scott Hazelton and Rishi Persad
Saturday: Tom Stanley (and maybe Michelle again)
If that’s not enough, on the In the Money Plus side we’ll have daily “Best Bets” from Rob Dove — one of the top 10 propunters in the UK today – along with digests of the picks from all the free shows. This is in addition to all the normal cool stuff we do over there — extra shows, special coverage of other big events including Del Mar and Saratoga.
Also, make sure you check out this new way to bet on Ascot.
2:30 – Queen Anne Stakes – Group 1 – 8 Furlongs
A strong-looking renewal of this race to kick off this year’s festivities. It is immediately notable that there doesn’t appear to be a lot of pace signed on here, with those who have won from the front having done so at much lower levels. With hold up tactics generally favoured on the straight track here, this could be a messy affair.
KEY CONTENDERS
ROSALLION (#10) currently heads the market following a fine comeback third in the Lockinge last month. That was his first run since winning impressively in the St James’s Palace Stakes at this meeting last year, having won the Irish 2000 Guineas in similar fashion the start before. His Lockinge effort was very much one of a horse that needed the run as he wasn’t quite capable of keeping up with principles late on having travelled just about best. He should be mid-pack here but does have a little more tactical versatility than some of his rivals and, given typical improvement for his seasonal bow, should very much be in the mix. However, he is a pretty short price now for a horse whose form hasn’t really worked out at all.
He was one place behind DANCING GEMINI (#3) at Newbury and just over two lengths adrift, so has that ground to make up. Dancing Gemini had run twice prior to the Lockinge, however, winning both starts, so should have been at his absolute peak. That said, this likeable colt has clearly improved as a 4-year-old having been placed in a French 2000 Guineas before losing his way a little following a non-staying sixth in the Derby at Epsom. He is extremely straight-forward and tactically versatile, so you can be confident he’s going to fire his best shot here.
He must, however, turn from around with LEAD ARTIST (#7), who had been something on a nearly horse prior to that Lockinge win. He had clearly needed the run behind Dancing Gemini at Sandown – connections also blamed the going – but evidently tightened up a fair bit for that effort, and made the most of good track positioning to score at Group 1 level at this first attempt, showing a willing attitude in the process. He looks a pure miler to me and a stiff test at this distance should suit, while he should be seen to tactical advantage as a prominent racer. This well-bred sort has more to offer still.
NOTABLE SPEECH (#8) is a difficult horse to weigh up. Last year’s 2000 Guineas winner flopped at this meeting last year but looked back to his electric best in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood next time out. It hasn’t really happened for him since for one reason or another, however, and he could only manage 4th in the Lockinge last time, never looking like he was going to win as his effort flattened out relatively quickly. I think he might have been on the worst part of the track there, however, and he should have the tools to handle a straight mile here very effectively.
SARDINIAN WARRIOR (#11) clearly hasn’t been easy to train but has steady progress through the grades, culminating in a fine second at Group 1 level in France last time out. He travelled like the best horse in that contest but was just ground out of it late by a very good opponent in Sosie, who looks a leading Arc contender. Sardinian Warrior also changed his legs around a furlong-and-a-half down, suggesting that the ground might have been a little soft for him. Prior to that run, he was a winner over the Queen Anne course and distance, beating DOCKLANDS in game fashion while hinting at more to come. He doesn’t have much to find on the ratings and is progressing.
DOCKLANDS (#5), himself, is a solid yardstick at Ascot having finished 2nd to the mighty Charyn in last year’s Queen Anne. An unsuccessful spell in Australia followed, but he looks to have returned in peak form and was unlucky not to finish closer in the Diomed at Epsom last time, lacking a run at a key stage. He is a little shy of the best milers but has solid place claims provided a good setup.
Speaking of Australia, that’s where CARL SPACKLER (#2) will be heading after being sold out of Chad Brown’s yard and moving to Ciaron Maher. I really rate this horse and was very impressed with his win in the Maker’s Mark Mile when the vibes were that he would need the run. The Beyer there was excellent, and, on ratings, he doesn’t have much to find at all with the best of these. A strong traveller who moves through the gears, this straight track should suit him, and he looks overpriced.
He’s bounced back nicely having flopped in the Breeder’s Cup Mile and it’s a shame we never got the see what DIEGO VELAZQUEZ (#4) was capable of in that race as he was scratched late. He seemed to be rejuvenated as a miler at the end of last year having been a well-beaten favourite in the King Edward VII Stakes at this meeting last year, winning twice at Leopardstown, the first of which was in a fast time. He’s a prominent racer who may benefit from a forcing ride, but it’ll be a big ask for him to land this first time, although he is in the best possible hands.
3:05 – Coventry Stakes – Group 2 – 6 Furlongs
A wide-open affair. Hard to recommend betting too heavily in a contest of the nature, particularly as any biases in draw or pace will not yet have revealed themselves.
KEY CONTENDERS
AMERICAN GULF (#1) won in a decent time on debut having been well supported. He sat close to an even pace before stretching out nicely. The form looks weak on paper but it was a likeable effort and Oisin Murphy keeps the ride.
ANDAD (#2) represents a good yard. He was impressive when scoring on debut, winning by a wide margin from a subsequent winner and clocking a very nice figure in the process. He wasn’t far behind Albert Einstein next time out over the same course and distance, and I was a little disappointed with him. The sectionals show that he was fastest from 3f-1f out but his final furlong was a tame one, nearly half-a-second slower than the winner. I still think this is a good horse but it’s hard to recommend him as a winner here following that effort, and I wonder if the ground might be a little quick for him.
GSTAAD (#9) was relatively unfancied on debut won in good time, beating a long odds-on stablemate who had no cover in the process. Gstaad was out of the wind that day, but is a well-bred Ballydoyle representative and should improve again, while the third has come out and run well since.
KOLKATA KNIGHT (#10) was well backed and knew his job on debut, and I like the way he kept on having gone quite hard through the middle part of the race. The second, who was 5 lengths adrift, has come out and won since and he has some upside, for all the figures leave him with plenty to find.
MILITARY CODE (#11) represents the Godolphin team, and this unbeaten colt has done nothing wrong to date. A course win is a nice plus for him and he has shown a fine attitude in both of his wins. He’s got plenty of stamina on the dam side but has looked very quick so far in two starts over the minimum distance and it might be that stiff six is a little much for him at this stage. However, he beat two subsequent winners under a penalty last time, and this promising sort has done nothing wrong so far.
POSTMODERN (#12) represents connections who have had a lot of success here over the last few years. He’s 1/1 so far and could not have been more impressive in that victory, tanking through the race and essentially winning without ever coming out of second gear. He clearly has a ton of pace and he won with such ease that it’s hard to knock the moderate speed-figure he ran, as he could clearly have gone significantly quicker. The sectional times were good without being spectacular – his last furlong was very good, though – and he looks to have all the tools to go well in a race like this. Just wish we had a bit more to go on for his price, however.
ROCK ON THUNDER (#15) produced a likeable debut when getting off the mark at Leicester. The sectionals and time were only OK, but he was probably on the wrong side of the track there and the third and fifth have both come out and won valuable races since. He’s open to lots of improvement and should run well at a big price.
UNDERWRITER (#20) is a horse I like a lot. He was well fancied for his only start to date and justified that confidence with an impressive victory. He raced into the wind that day but I really like the way he quickened when asked to win his race, storming clear of a solid yardstick who had good form and a perfect trip. A couple of the also-rans in that race have come out and run well since, and he should be even better when getting a lead.
WARSAW (#21) is another from the Ballydoyle battalion and seemed relatively unfancied on debut, going off at 18/1 when ridden by a 5lb bug rider. As it was, he ran out an emphatic winner, powering clear late on over five furlongs. He ran a nice penultimate furlong, but his final furlong was a little slow, tempering enthusiasm somewhat. But what if he just wasn’t fit? His price suggests he may not have been fully wound up, and the comments from connections after the race, as well as his breeding, certainly suggest he should relish an extra furlong. Well enough found in the market now, but he’s the type who could make significant progress. Moore prefers Gstaad, but it’s possible this one just doesn’t show a lot at home.
QUICK NOTES
BALLISTIC MISSILE (#3) had cover on debut and looked second best despite winning. The time was slow and the moderately bred front-runner, who was into the breeze, hasn’t done a lot for the form.
BONE MARRA (#4), already gelded, won a moderate affair in an ordinary time on debut, but that doesn’t tell the whole story as he missed the break by around 7 lengths and positively stormed home, running a lightning quick 11.66 final furlong. If he’d broken on terms he’d have won that by a wide margin and would be half the price he is now, and this extra furlong should suit him, so don’t rule out a big run.
BOURBON BLUES (#5) was 80/1 on debut but much shorter for his second start, which he won in good fashion. That was at lowly Brighton, however, and he only beat two big-priced newcomers there. He looks a nice type but this is a big step up.
COPPULL (#6) is a nice type and his solid debut win has produced winners. He needs more but has good connections and a good sprint jockey booked.
DO OR DO NOT (#7) represents a good stable that brings it runners along slowly. He travelled best last time but again looked a bit green in the finish, although he should have learned plenty from that. He should come on again and he strikes as a type who may go well at big odds with a top jockey booked and the demands of this race looking sure to suit him.
GAVOO (#8) was a well-held second behind Andab on debut and got off the mark next time when he pulled well clear with a promising rival. That was over 6.5f on soft and this drop in trip, and faster ground, probably aren’t ideal. He looks held on a couple of form lines.
POWER BLUE (#13) produced a game effort behind the well touted Albert Einstein last time, but had the favoured rail. It’ll be harder here with plenty of pace signed on.
RAAKEB (#14) reminds me of the same owner’s Haatem and may outrun big odds. He was into the wind two back and drawn too wide last time around Epsom’s sharp 6 furlongs.
SHAATIR (#16) had the favoured rail when winning a weak race last time.
SUPER SOLDIER (#17) is likeable and represents a good yard, but this stiff 6 furlongs may not be ideal at this point.
TADEJ (#18) has form that ties in with a couple of these having beaten Do Or Not Do narrowly last time. He wasn’t far behind Wise Approach on debut when having to challenge on the outer and ran into the wind when behind that rival again two back having hung left throughout.
TICKY TEL (#19) is unbeaten and overcame a wide trip around Chester’s very tight turns last time out. He was suited by the strong gallop there and this looks a lot stronger, while faster ground is an unknown. His speed-figures need a lot of improving on.
3:40 – King Charles III Stakes – Group 1 – 5 Furlongs
This doesn’t look a strong race for the level and you don’t have to go too far down the betting before you start finding horses that were likely flattered, or ran poorly, last time out. On paper, almost all of the speed is drawn in the middle.
KEY CONTENDERS
ASFOORA (#12) looks a good place to start. She was a good winner of this race last year and returned with a win in 2025. Her last run wasn’t great on figures but that was over 6f and she was caught a bit wide around the bends there, racing without cover, while it’s likely she was just prepping for this. Oisin Murphy gets back aboard, and she should run a good race.
Fellow mare BELIEVING (#14) finally got her Group 1 when landing the Al Quoz Sprint in Meydan in April. She was only 4th behind Asfoora in this last year but may be hitting her peak aged 5 and the Al Quoz win was a clear career best. That win was also over six furlongs, a trip she’d not really excelled at in the past, so it’s possible she’s just a better model this year. There won’t be many that finish ahead of her and she basically always runs her race.
REGIONAL (#7) is another consistent sort who has form that ties in with the two mares. He was only beaten a length in this race last season and was even closer to Believing in the Al Quoz, finishing a 0.75 length third. He has a solid chance once more but needs to improve for me and I’m not sure how likely that is aged 7.
NIGHT RAIDER (#6) looks a real contender. On ratings he has about 9lbs to find but that doesn’t tell the full story. He has done most of his racing on synthetics and has looked a top-class animal on that surface but it has taken him a little while to replicate that form on turf. On the face of it, he failed to do so again last time out, running about 10lbs below is best according to Timeform, but he tried to make the running into a headwind. Despite this, he travelled all over a field of very smart opponents and was still in the lead with a furlong to run, before those earlier exertions took their toll. The speed he showed that day strongly suggests this minimum trip will suit him and he has the potential to become a top sprinter.
MGHEERA (#16) has taken her form to new heights this year, winning both starts having looked as she was short of Group class in her 4-year-old campaign. Really fast ground would be a worry for her and she was on the best part of the track last time.
Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner STARLUST (#9) was behind her that day. He, too, had the best racing line and he also had cover from the headwind – a dull effort in the circumstances and hard to recommend him off the back of that.
QUICK NOTES
STORM BOY was a good horse in Australia but flopped on his first start for Aidan O’Brien.
AMERICAN AFFAIR is a progressive sort but had cover from a headwind when winning at York two back and didn’t cut much ice behind Mgheera last time when tackling Group company.
FLORA OF BERMUDA beat Night Raider last time but had a nice trip out of the breeze. She has some excellent form, however, including at this track, and may have improved again this season, so bear her in mind for exotics.
WEST ACRE (#23) has a good jockey for this track and ran a big speed figure out in Meydan. He was behind Believing last time out but looks a pure five furlong horse and he has a good turn of foot which should see him to good effect off a strong pace here.
4:20 – St James’s Palace Stakes – Group 1 – 8 Furlongs
This will be run on the round mile in contrast to the opening mile contest.
KEY CONTENDERS
FIELD OF GOLD (#1) is clearly the horse to beat. He looked arguably the best horse in the 2000 Guineas and confirmed his class with a demolition job in the Irish equivalent. He’s more of a horse that lengthens and quickens and it’s noteworthy that there appears to be a pacemaker in for him, which should ensure that he is able to fire his best shot. Very obvious chance but will be priced accordingly.
RULING COURT (#6) had Field Of Gold in behind when landing the 2000 Guineas and was subsequently withdrawn from the Derby at quite a late stage on account of the going. He’s a very good horse in his own right and, for all that he perhaps got first run on Field Of Gold at Newmarket, should give that rival plenty to think about.
HENRI MATISSE (#3) will be familiar to readers having won the Juvenile Turf last year and he brings different formlines into the mix. He looks to have gone on again from that Del Mar win and landed the French Guineas last time out, throwing in some wicked fractions from 3f-1f out. He’ll get a nice pace to run at and shouldn’t be underestimated.
QUICK NOTES
OFFICER (#4) was only 9/2 to beat Field Of Gold last time but ran poorly and is any price here.
5:00 – Ascot Stakes – Handicap – 20 Furlongs
An extreme distance and they often don’t go that quick here. A low draw has generally been an advantage over the years, but wide draws can win from the back if they do go fast and the pace collapses. 4-year-olds have generally struggled in this contest but did win the race last year.
KEY CONTENDERS
REACHING HIGH (#15) represents the stable of Willie Mullins, who excels in these contests and has won this in 3 of the last 10 years. He’s only had one run for this yard and it was a very good one, staying on well over an inadequate 12 furlongs to just fail. He was running on well at the line and has abundant stamina in his pedigree being out of an Ascot Gold Cup winner. Stall 1 looks a nice draw and he has Ryan Moore booked, with his age (4) perhaps the only minor negative.
Mullins has another fancied runner in the shape of PONIROS (#20). This horse sprung a shock when winning the Triumph Hurdle on his first start over obstacles but proved that effort was no fluke with a fine second at the Punchestown Festival. He has William Buick aboard and was only 15/2 for a hot handicap at this meeting last year, although he was rank and ran moderately. I have slight doubts over him at the distance as his striding cadence is pretty high and he can be keen, while very fast ground may not be ideal and he’s also a 4-year-old.
Horses of that age dominate the market for this contest, however, with EAST INDIA DOCK (#7) next in. He had a fine winter over hurdles, rising to near the very top of the juvenile hurdle division, and showed a mark of 89 to be lenient with a very likeable win the Chester Cup, powering through the line in the manner of a horse that would relish this extra footing. He’s up 8lb for that but he beat a well handicapped rival who’s won since and his mark of 97 is not beyond him on his hurdles form. A wide draw might be against him, however, and very fast ground would also be a question mark – he ran poorly at big odds at this meeting last year.
MANXMAN (#8) continues to progress as a stayer, which you’d expect of a horse with Montjeu on the dam side. He ran into one on his seasonal debut but still ran very well off a funereal pace there and duly stepped up on that run to win at Goodwood next time out, running down Mr Hampstead, who I have as a well handicapped horse, and powering through the line. He looks to have improved again this year and was very unlucky not to win the Cesarewitch last season, so you know extreme distances and big fields pose no issues. Stall 4 looks perfect, the ground and course are fine, and a 4lb rise for last time won’t be enough to stop this improving 5-year-old from running a big race,
ALPHONSE LE GRANDE (#14) just touched off Maxman in the aforementioned Cesarewitch and shaped nicely enough on his return from a break at Curragh last time. He is unexposed over extreme trips and has a fine record in these big field staying handicaps – he should go well.
LIARA (#10) looked to bounce off the fast ground last time. He’s bred to stay and has a very slow stride, further suggesting he may enjoy this trip. This talented hurdler might have improved for the switch to an Ascot Gold Cup winning yard and I could see him out in front being the controlling speed under a jockey who can execute those tactics effectively – a very interesting outsider.
QUICK NOTES
MR HAMPSTEAD (#19) is a horse I like but the manner in which Manxman out-finished him last time makes it hard for me to see him excelling over this trip.
I strongly fancied DIVINE COMEDY (#3) in this race last year and she came through looking certain to win only to be run out of it late. She’s a bit higher in the weights this time around and this looks a stronger renewal, but she can be forgiven her last effort (caught wide) and could make the frame again.
LEINSTER (#17_ is lightly-raced and ran well enough from the front in the Chester Cup last time when stepping up a full 6 furlongs in distance. This extra distance might not be ideal on breeding and he has quite a speedy dam side, while a wide draw and fast ground also temper enthusiasm.
ZOFFEE (#11) is consistent and proven under these conditions, so look for him in exotics.
ASCENDING (#9) looks a doubtful stayer.
NURBURGRING (#13) has ground and draw question marks, but should stay.
5:35 – Wolferton Stakes – Listed – 10 Furlongs
This doesn’t look a strong renewal of this contest. Pace maps have the pace as very strong but I can’t see a huge amount of speed on paper.
KEY CONTENDERS
ENFJAAR (#8_ has moved out of the handicap ranks and into Pattern company, running well at Listed level two back either side of only OK runs in Group races. He probably needed the run last time and ran without the hood there, but it wasn’t a run that had me desperate to back him here at odds of around 4/1.
HAATEM (#9) is clearly top rated in this field and was a genuine Group 1 horse last season, as while he also won the Jersey Stakes over 7 furlongs at this meeting last year. He’s not cut much ice this season but has made steady progress with excuses, needing the run at Sandown and maybe finding the ground a bit soft last time. He’s got a good draw here and looks the one to beat if he stays, but his striding pattern suggest it’s borderline.
CHECKANDCHALLENGE (#6) looks a big price as one of the outsiders. He was only beaten 1.5 lengths by Rosallion and Notable Speech in the Group 1 Lockinge last time out and faces vastly inferior rivals here.
ECUREUIL SECRET (#7) looks improved for a switch to this yard and a gelding operation, and ran away with a good handicap at Epsom last time out. However, this will be a radically different test at a totally different type of track, and I have major doubts about him on fast going based on his form and action.
MEYDAAN (#12) has improved for gelding and cut back in trip. He was just behind Liberty Lane last time out but this stiffer track, better going and pull in the weights should see him reverse that form. He doesn’t have much to find and should run well.
KING’S GAMBIT (#11) looks to have a big shot. He was only just beaten behind a good horse at this meeting last year and ran well over this course and distance in the Group 1 Champion Stakes on ground that would have been a bit soft. He shaped fine on seasonal debut out in Qatar over a distance that isn’t his optimal but the last run was pretty average. However, it was possible that he didn’t face the blinkers there and he never looked happy, appearing to race on the wrong lead. The headgear comes off here and a return to a right-handed track will really suit him; you only have to forgive one run and he’s basically the favourite here.
QUICK NOTES
GALEN (#1) beat a subsequent winner two runs back, albeit one that needed the run seemingly. He has a penalty for that win but could run well if allowed to dominate.
LIBERTY LANE (#2) has progressed through the handicap ranks and scored at this level last time, for which he carries 3lb extra. The ground would be a big worry for him.
MILITARY ORDER’S (#3) last 3 synthetic runs read 211, but he’s run moderately the last three times he’s been on turf. That said, Ascot can suit horses who have good form on synth, so a better run is not out of the question.
TORITO (#15) hasn’t run since contesting this race last year where he ran well. It’d be a big ask to bring him back to win this on seasonal debut, even for the Gosdens, but he’s been the subject of some market support and has good back class. Keep an eye to see if the money continues to come.
6:10 – Copper Horse Stakes – Handicap – 14 Furlongs
A tricky handicap.
KEY CONTENDERS
FRENCH MASTER (#7) looks the type that will move into Pattern races in time. He looked either green or quirky last time but got the job done, rallying well up the inside and hitting the line strongly. Connections reach for blinkers and I don’t like the jockey, so that’s enough to put me off at short odds.
CHARLUS (#9) represents Moore and Mullins, so has to be feared. This ex-French gelding won in workmanlike fashion over hurdles two back but flopped at a big price in the Triumph Hurdle. I’m not sure if he’ll stay or like the ground, and I’m not sure an inside draw is a positive either. Impossible to weigh up and you’re betting him on connections.
CABALLO DE MAR (#12) continues to ascend the ranks. He has a good blend of speed and stamina and should be nicely spotted from stall 9. He’s off a career high mark again but it’s not hard to see him going well.
MY MATE MOZZIE (#13) was a bit keen when a good third in this last year. He’ll be suited if they go a good gallop and has a talented 5lb bug rider on.
QUICK NOTES
AERONAUTIC (#16) prepped for this over shorter and won’t mind going back up in distance.
BARNSO (#8) has Oisin Murphy aboard and isn’t badly treated on some of her Listed form.
FAIRBANKS (#4) would be a fraction of the price for a more fashionable trainer.
CHAMPAGNE PRICE (#14) is progressive and is better than he could show last time.
