Jaysella’s Royal Ascot Racecard for Tuedsay 17th June 2025

Jaysella’s Royal Ascot Racecard for Tuesday 17th June

Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) 2.30
Rosallion (nb)
What a race to get things under way for Royal Ascot 2025! I’ve got to tell you, my heart says Dancing Gemini, my head says Rosallion and with the improving Lockinge winner, Lead Artist and 2024 2,000 Guineas winner Notable Speech thrown into the mix, what a race! But, I’ve got to stick with Rosallion, as his two and a half length third to Lead Artist in the Lockinge just made me think he needed that first run, and I’ll expect him to be fully tuned up for this by Richard Hannon. Rosallion is two from two here at Ascot, a track that doesn’t particularly favour front runners, so I can see Notable Speech or Dancing Gemini taking the race on from the front, so Sean Levey can bide his time, and keep tabs on the Gosdens’ pair of Lead Artist and Sardinian Warrior to see who goes first. Ooh, what a race! But, I’m going to stick with Rosallion, with everything crossed.

Coventry Stakes (Group 2) 3.05
Military Code
I think it will pay to side with course and racing experience for the Coventry. If anything, this extra furlong should help Charlie Appleby’s Wootton Bassett colt, and having proven himself on this track he looks really solid to me. Ryan Moore takes the ride on Gstaad for Ballydoyle, so he’s not surprisingly topping the ante post markets, with the yard having a fine record in this, while I’m spotting a mis-priced Irish raider, Power Blue who is my each-way angle. Military Code to finish upsides of Gstaad, with Power Blue and Rock On Thunder as tempting each way gambles, if that’s your thing.

King Charles III Stakes (Group 1) 3.40
Believing
It’s a huge field, and it is going to be one hell of a cavalry charge! I think that I will stick with George Boughey’s Believing, who won the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan in April, and has Ryan Moore taking up the reins – that Arabian Group One was over 6 furlongs, so as this 5 furlong contest is going to go off at some frenetic pace, Believing’s staying power should come in to play up Ascot’s stiff finish. That’s the theory, anyway, but last year’s winner, the Australian raider Asfoora, last year’s second, Regional and Ralph Beckett’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner, Starlust could all have a say. Right, I believe in Believing, and I’m thinking that Bucanero Fuerte in the next stall could be drawn into the mix and is my each-way gamble.

St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1) 4.20
Field Of Gold (nap)
Another absolute cracker of a race, and I’ve been on Field Of Gold for this ever since Colin Keane won the Irish 2,000 Guineas aboard him in May. I’m pretty sure that ride was the conclusive factor in Colin’s appointment as Juddmonte’s retained rider, and as I said in the Podcast last week, you don’t win the Irish Flat Jockeys’ Championship six times without having some class about you. Good for Colin, and good for me too when Field Of Gold wins the St James’s Palace Stakes. Having said that, it’s a classy enough field, with Newmarket 2,000 Guineas winner Ruling Court, and French 2,000 Guineas winner Henri Matisse. Three 2,000 Guineas winners all lining up, but it’s Field Of Gold for me, all day long!

Ascot Stakes (Heritage Handicap) 5.00
East India Dock
I do get the argument that Willie Mullins targets these valuable handicaps, and it would be nice for old Charlie if the Royal Silks won on the first day of the Royal meeting, but I’m going to stick my neck out and go for East India Dock instead. This is a proper trip round Ascot over two and a half miles, and stamina when push comes to shove is what’s going to matter. James Owen’s East India Dock had that and some when landing the Chester Cup last time out, and with a fine third in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in the book, he’ll still be going strong at the business end. It’s Reaching High in the Royal Silks for Willie, with Ryan Moore in charge, which is appealing enough, but East India Dock it is for me, with Manxman or Mr Hampstead my each way picks.

Wolferton Stakes (Listed) 5.35
Haatem
Not proven over this trip, but proven on this track, winning the Jersey Stakes, just, here last year from the fast finishing Kikkuli, I’m going for Haatem for the Wolferton. There’s a few question marks over the others – does Enfjaar like this course? can Military Order act on ground this quick? can King’s Gambit keep his lid on under James McDonald? Questions, Questions, Questions, and we’re gonna find out, but my answer’s Haatem.

Copper Horse Stakes 6.10
Caballo De Mar
George Scott’s Caballo De Mar has definitely got the winning habit, so heaven help me he’s still got it on Tuesday afternoon! I liked the way that Callum Shepherd paced him last time out at Goodwood, making amends a bit for being collared late on by East India Dock in the Chester Cup. That run showed Caballo De Mar’s got the reserves of stamina, and he’s going to need it here, it’s a big field and there’s going to be plenty of pace from the off. Willie Mullins’s Charlus is interesting, though not usually seen on ground this quick, and there’s been a bit of money down for French Master this week, but I’m sticking with Caballo De Mar.