THE wonderful Stradivarius looks sure to land his third Ascot Gold Cup in a row as he doesn’t face the level of opposition as he has had in previous years and showed on seasonal debut at Newmarket over an inadequate trip that he retains all his zest and enthusiasm. He is rightly heavily odds on at 8/15 and it will be wonderful to see him win my favourite race of Royal Ascot. It has been great to see the public engagement in the Ascot Gold Cup over recent times.

In the build up to Royal Ascot I presented a clip to launch the new Ascot Wine Club, in association with Hallgarten Wines, the Official Wine Supplier and Moët & Chandon, the Official Champagne. The three wine cases on offer are named after three famous Gold Cup winners Yeats, Sagaro and Fame and Glory. Importantly, 10% of all wine sales are being donated to the Ascot Racecourse Supports Charitable Fund. 

Cheers

The Wine Tipster

1.15 – Golden Gates (Handicap) 1m 1f

Maori Knight is bred to stay well and showed the benefit of a step up to one two furlongs when only just denied at Haydock, showing a really good attitude. Loads more to come and will handle cut in the ground. Unibet are paying AN EXTRA PLACE in this race

Unibet 8/1 each way

1.50 – Wolferton Stakes (Listed) 1m 2f

This is a fascinating contest with the talented and highest rated Regal Reality taken to win on seasonal debut for the Sir Michael Stoute Team. Regal Reality didn’t like having to make the pace here on his last start when unplaced behind Magical and has since been gelded.

Last season he won the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown in fine style and then ran really well to finish third behind Enable in the Eclipse. This looks very much like this race has been targeted by Sir Michael Stoute as this was his charge’s only entry.

Unibet 9/2 win

Aloe Vera hasn’t been seen for over a year, since winning a Listed contest at Goodwood on her second start, having won on debut.

She looked a very exciting prospect for the Ralph Beckett team and I have waiting for her return to action.

Unibet 14/1 each way

2.25 – Jersey Stakes (Group 3) 7f

Celestin for French trainer Fabrice Chappet will certainly handle the conditions if the forecast downpours come and could be hard to beat here. Celestin badly needed his reappearance run when racing in France and he showed benefit of it when fourth to Victor Ludorum in the French 2,000 Guineas. He ran really well, leading coming to the final furlong and the drop back to seven furlongs, with the application of cheekpieces both suggest he’ll go forward.

Unibet 6/1 each way

3.00 Chesham Stakes (Listed) 7f

The Chesham was won by Pinatubo last year and the Charlie Appleby team can strike again with Modern News (nap), who is also by Sharmardal. Modern News put up an eye-catching performance on debut at Newmarket, beating stablemate Noble Dynasty and giving every impression that the extra furlong will really suit him. Modern News’ jockey Mikel Barzalona that day was certainly sounding positive after the race and he has a good chance.

Unibet 5/2 win

3.35 – Ascot Gold Cup (Group 1) 2m 4f

If the forecast heavy rain comes then Technician (each way) has to be the each-way player to chase home Stradivarius, as he thrived by being stepped up in trip towards the end of last season when twice winning at Longchamp in testing conditions. This is his first race over this trip, however he looks sure to stay.

Unibet 6/1 each way

4.10 – Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap) 1m

This is a race with some big priced winners and Amaysmont looks overpriced here.

He had his first run for eight months at Lingfield a couple of weeks ago and will come on for that run, appreciating the step up to a mile too.

Last season on two starts he won in fine style at Carlisle on debut, ahead of finishing second at Musselburgh. Ground not a problem. 

Unibet are paying AN EXTRA PLACE in this race and the 4.40pm

Unibet 33/1 each way