Coronation Confusion

Two days are already behind us at Royal Ascot and we’re now looking forward to the weekend’s racing. Plenty of stars are still yet to be seen and all eyes will soon be on those running Coronation Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.

Friday

The Commonwealth Cup looks like one of the best renewals in recent years, with plenty of talent on offer. Inisherin seemed to relish the drop in trip in the Sandy Lane Stakes. However Vandeek, unbeaten as a two-year-old, will be looking to come on for his seasonal debut, and firmer ground should be more suitable. Bucanero Fuerte is the other Group One winner in the field, and just got over the line in the Lacken Stakes in April. Last year’s Royal Ascot winner River Tiber brings in course form and Jasour also brings value to the table after winning the trial back in May..

The other feature race on Friday is the Coronation Stakes. The first three home in the English 1000 Guineas reappear with two of them looking to reverse the order. Elmalka ran on late in the day to snatch the win from Porta Fortuna after Ramtuelle made most of the running. Could the French respond to their poor tactics in the Queen Anne with a Coronation win? Devoted Queen is unbeaten after winning the Listed Michael Seely Memorial Stakes at York.

Saturday

The Hardwicke has always been a competitive race and this year looks no different. St Leger winner Continuous should reappear and reoppose Middle Earth, who has two wins on his back after a poor running in last year’s Doncaster classic. Desert Hero wasn’t at his best in the Aston Park at Newbury last time out, but he won at the Royal meeting last year and should be popular in the royal silks. American runner Missed The Cut hasn’t won a Group One, in fact he finished last in his only Group One appearance, but won at Royal Ascot in 2022 in the Golden Gate Stakes for George Boughey. He could possibly find his feet from two years ago to shock the field.

In the big sprint race on Saturday, Mill Stream just put his nose in front at York and is the current favourite for the race. Ascot favourite Kinross could make his reappearance in a race he disappointed in last season. Mitbaahy won the Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh, which was a highly competitive renewal. Shouldvebeenarring is looking to respond from his run at the Curragh. He can be inconsistent and wasn’t the best at Royal Ascot last year when seventh in the Commonwealth Cup.

There are plenty of competitive races to get stuck into this weekend, so best of luck if you’re having a bet over the weekend.