THE final day of Royal Ascot 2025 will certainly be a scorcher, and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes Group 1 is a very competitive renewal, which will cap a fantastic five days of Group 1 action.
In the Wokingham Stakes, I make no apology for including Apollo One once again in my Unibet Blog, and with my other selection, Jarraaf, you have to mention Aramram Unibet 7/1 trained by Unibet Ambassador Richard Hannon. The very likeable Aramram managed to get his head in front at Newbury last time out after finishing runner-up on his previous four starts, including twice to the current favoUrite, More Thunder.
Enjoy whether at Royal Ascot or watching all the races #athome on ITV Racing.
Cheers
The Wine Tipster
3.05 Royal Ascot—Hardwicke Stakes Group 2 (1m 4f)
Palladium will obviously need to deliver a career-best performance in a deep renewal of the Hardwicke and build on his third to Hamish in Listed company at Goodwood on seasonal debut.
There is lots more to come from this talented four-year-old colt, though, and he can start to show that here by rewarding each way players.
3:40 Royal Ascot – Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes Group 1 (6f)
Inisherin (nap) won on his seasonal reappearance when taking the Clipper Stakes at York’s Dante meeting, while looking like he certainly needed the run. He showed then that he retained all his ability after an enforced absence and the emphatic 2024 winner of the Commonwealth Cup will love the ground and looks the one to beat here.
Run To Freedom proved that he retains plenty of ability after being off for a year when fourth to Sajir in the Abernant Stakes at Newmarket. Back in 2023 he was second in the July Cup to Shaquille, and with a run under his belt he can outrun his price.
5:00 Royal Ascot – Wokingham Stakes Heritage Handicap (6f)
Jarraaf has the right credentials for the Wokingham given that this four-year-old twice won at Ascot over this distance last season with a handicap success, and then he followed up in the Shergar Cup. Jarraaf then lost in defeat to the talented Apollo One in the Bengough Stakes Group 3 on his final start of the season.
He definitely looked in need of his reappearance run at Salisbury in May when fourth and despite being defeated at odds-on he still ran with plenty of zest. He will strip a lot fitter for that, has the course form on fast ground and holds a solid chance.
Apollo One is back in my Unibet blog on his second appearance of the season, and this consistent, likeable type can’t be ignored in these big field handicaps. On his seasonal debut at Newmarket in the Abernant Stakes Group 3 at the Craven meeting he was patently in need of the run when fading in the final furlong to finish last of seven and the target had to be the Wokingham after his second in 2023.
On his last start of 2024 he won the Group 3 Bengough Stakes at Ascot beating Jarraaf, who is three pound better off here and remember on his previous start he had finished a nose second to American Affair in the Portland at Doncaster.
Apollo One is now on a rating of 109 and will need to emulate Rohaan the 2022 winner, who won off this weight of 9st 12lb. This seven-year-old will be ready for his target and this thoroughly genuine type can reward each players from a favourable draw in stall 17.
6:10 Royal Ascot – Queen Alexandra Stakes (2m 5½f)
Wild Waves missed an earlier engagement in the week to try his hand here, and this looks an easier opportunity. He has looked a stayer in the making ever since his fourth in the Melrose last year at the Ebor meeting over one mile six furlongs when making headway late on from off the pace.
He has taken his time to come to hand this year, though he ought to be cherry ripe right now after three starts, as one mile and four furlongs at Capannelle last time out was too short a trip for him, as he was unable to show the turn of foot required, but this stamina test on his first outing beyond one mile six furlongs should bring out the best in him.
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