Royal Ascot 2024 Ante-Post Preview Day 5

[StevieDay1983]

The 6-day declarations were finally confirmed for day 5 at Royal Ascot 2024. Our expert horse racing tipster @Tumbleweed King has written his thoughts on who he is tipping to perform in all 7 races on the final day of racing at the festival. Read on to see who he is backing!

 

Royal Ascot Day 5 Ante-Post Tips Preview

The final day of racing at Ascot sees a few group races coincide with a listed event as well as handicaps for good measure. The day kicks off with the Chesham Stakes over 7 furlongs and climaxes with the Queen Alexandra Stakes over an extended two-and-a-half miles.

The key races are of course the group races including the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes, the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, The Group 3 Jersey Stakes as well as the annual cavalry charge that is the Wokingham Handicap. 

14:30: Chesham Stakes (Listed) – 7 Furlongs

The Chesham Stakes is a race open to two-year-old horses. It is run over a distance of 7 furlongs. The event is named after the 3rd Baron Chesham, who served as the last Master of the Buckhounds in 1900–01. It was established in 1919, and it was originally contested over 5 furlongs. It replaced a previous race, the first leg of the Triennial Stakes. The race has an unusual restriction, being open only to horses sired by stallions who won over ten furlongs or more. 

For a period the Chesham Stakes was contested over 6 furlongs, and it was extended to 7 furlongs in 1996. It is currently restricted to horses whose sires or dams have won at a distance in excess of 1 mile and 1½ furlongs.

Favourite

Bedtime Story (Aidan O’Brien) 2YO Filly: Was the lesser fancied of the Ballydoyle pair when getting up to cause a mini upset on debut at Leopardstown over this trip. She was settled in the mid-division and stayed on strongly in the closing stages when beating Giselle. The daughter of Frankel is obviously entitled to improve for that run and she has to have strong claims for a yard that has won this race four times since 2016.  Highly respected and proven at the trip, she looks like a solid favourite. 

Age Of Gold (Charlie Appleby) 2YO Colt: Age Of Gold is literally the brother from another mother in relation to Bedtime Story. The son of Frankel won readily for William Buick as the pair saw off their rivals on racecourse debut at Yarmouth last month. Godolphin are another yard that likes to win this race as proven by the likes of Tha’ir in 2012 and Pinatubo in 2019. He has to be considered a live threat to all. 

Leading Fancies

Pentle Bay (George Boughey) 2YO Colt: Despite a less-than-tidy start at Leicester on his debut, Pentle Bay soon recovered and made smooth progress on what was his racecourse debut. He actually got a few liveners from Jamie Spencer who was riding and the penny eventually began to drop. The pair got up in the dying strides to beat American Style by a head. This extra furlong should suit and he will know much more this time around.

Girl Like You (Joseph O’Brien) 2YO Filly: She bumped into a good sort in Tunbridge Wells at the Curragh on what was her racecourse debut. She was short of room at a crucial stage, and Dylan Brown McMonagle was not too hard on her when it seemed like her winning chance had gone. There ought to be more to come from this daughter of American Pharaoh over an extra furlong. 

Dark Horse

Expensive Rose (Charlie Johnston) 2 YO Filly: Won in the style that a favourite should when scoring at Carlisle just over a week ago. She clearly learned a lot from her debut where she was a decent runner-up to Regal Gem over a furlong shorter at Pontefract. The trainer’s father won this race twice about twenty years ago with the likes of Helm Bank and Pearl Of Love, so the yard does have a rich association with this race. She will certainly know her job and could well go close at a half-decent price. 

Selection

BEDTIME STORY @ 11/4 with Unibet

 

15:05: Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) – 1 Mile 3 Furlongs 211Yds

The Hardwicke Stakes is a Group 2 race in open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile 3 furlongs and 211 yards. The event is named in honour of the 5th Earl of Hardwicke, who served as the Master of the Buckhounds in the 19th century. It was established in 1879, and it was originally open to horses aged three or older. The last three-year-old to win was Helioscope in 1949. 

The leading horses often return to the venue to compete in the following month's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The first to win both races in the same year was Aureole in 1954, and the most recent was Harbinger in 2010. 

Favourite

Continuous (Aidan O’Brien) 4YO Colt: Was only just touched off in the King Edward VII Stakes here last season before going on to win the Great Voltigeur at York and ultimately the St Leger at Doncaster in the following months. His final run of the season came in the Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe where he was caught up in scrimmaging and could only finish fifth. This is a big drop in class for the four-year-old and if returning to his best, he would pick the rest of these up and carry them home. He has gone well fresh in the past and he is proven on quick ground. He should prove hard to beat.

Leading Fancies

Middle Earth (John & Thady Gosden) 4 YO Colt: Looked as good as ever when making a winning seasonal reappearance in a Group 3 race at Newbury last month. This trip is an absolute minimum for the son of Roaring Lion who has as yet to prove himself in elite company. He is progressive and can be expected to improve on what was witnessed in the Aston Park Stakes last month. Oisin Murphy gets on well with him and as the retained rider for Qatar Bloodstock he is once again in the saddle. They have to be given another chance in this grade.

Dark Horse

Missed The Cut (John Sadler) 5YO Horse: Was formerly trained in the UK by George Boughey before moving to the US where he has continued to thrive for John Sadler. He is a regular at Santa Anita where he has won three times within the last twelve months. A trip back to the UK for the first time in two-and-a-half years could well be worth the wait, particularly if the ground continues to dry out. This race is worth almost 150k, so you can see why connections would be tempted to send him over.

Outsiders

Hamish (William Haggas) 8 YO Gelding: This son of Motivator rarely runs a bad race and has been fourth in this very race three years ago. He ran the race of his life in a weak enough Group 1 last time when just pipped by Luxembourg at Epsom in the Coronation Cup. He is an eight-year-old now and needs to have a bit of give in the ground to be seen at his absolute best these days. There are worse horses at shorter prices though and he could sneak a place.

Selection

CONTINUOUS @ 2/1 with Boylesports

 

15:45: Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) – 6 Furlongs

The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. Three-year-olds foaled in the Southern Hemisphere are also eligible. It is run over a distance of 6 furlongs. The event was established in 1868, and it was originally called the All-Aged Stakes. It was renamed the Cork and Orrery Stakes in 1926, in honour of the 9th Earl of Cork, who served as the Master of the Buckhounds in the 19th century. 

The present system of race grading was introduced in 1971, and the Cork and Orrery Stakes were initially classed at Group 3 level. It was promoted to Group 2 status in 1998. The race was renamed to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 2002. From this point, it held Group 1 status.

In 2012 the race was named the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, to commemorate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and in 2022 it was again renamed to the Platinum Jubilee Stakes, to commemorate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. In 2023 the race was given its present title, to honour the memory of the Queen and retain the connection with the three jubilees celebrated since 2002. The Platinum Jubilee Stakes became part of a new international race series, the Global Sprint Challenge, in 2005.

Favourite

Kinross (Ralph Beckett) 7YO Gelding: This looks like a tough race to be making your seasonal reappearance in, but that just sums up the character of this horse. He is a model of consistency but usually needs a couple of runs to get himself fully fit. He is versatile regarding ground conditions and won the Group 1 Champion Sprint here a couple of seasons ago over the course and distance. He renews his association with Rossa Ryan now that Frankie Dettori is riding in the US. It looks a tough ask and others will be fresher.

Mill Stream (Jane Chapple-Hyam) 4YO Colt: A progressive four-year-old who has taken a couple of Group races in his last few runs. The Clipper Stakes at York was his most recent win and he looks set to take another step forward by being upped in grade. Jane Chapple-Hyam isn’t renowned for training bundles of winners, so whilst he deserves a crack at this prize and could well win. Her strike rate overall tempers enthusiasm. A lot depends on the draw and he wouldn’t want to get too far back in what is likely to be a large field. 

Leading Fancies

Mitbaahy (Charlie Hills) 5YO Horse: Mitbaahy has changed yards for this season and that now looks to be paying off. The five-year-old son of Profitable came good on what was his third start for Charlie Hills when winning the Greenlands Stakes at The Curragh. He comes here in good of form as he has ever been and he is one to take quite seriously. He was far from disgraced in the Kings’ Stand Stakes here last season and if given a typical Jamie Spencer ride, he will be cutting through his rivals like a knife through hot butter.

Art Power (Tim Easterby) 7YO Gelding: Has won twice at this track in the past including in similar company when landing the big Sprint race here on Champions Day. He was a massive 40/1 that day and probably won't be anywhere near as big this afternoon. Since then he has held his form well and warmed up for this race beaten just a length by Mitbaahy at The Curragh last time out. If the rain was to fall he would certainly have much stronger claims against his rival this time around. 

Dark Horse

Washington Heights (Kevin Ryan) 4YO Gelding: If you like the chances of Mill Reef, then you also have to consider this up-and-coming four-year-old. It is currently sitting a one win each in their two matches so far this season. Kevin Ryan’s gelding was probably not given the best of rides during the Shergar Cup meeting at this track last season and he could well be worth another go. He has shown how tough he can be in a couple of Group races and he could now be ready to progress again. His yard won this in 2020 with Hello Youmzain and he is respected.

Outsider

Swingalong (Karl Burke) 4YO Filly: She is still only fairly lightly raced, but she was good enough to land a couple of Group races at her beloved York. She will need to improve dramatically from her seasonal reappearance behind Mill Reef, but she is entitled to do so. She has run well on the two previous occasions that she has run at this track including in the Sprint on Champions Day where she was fourth and she was also third in the Commonwealth Cup at this meeting last year. Not a forlorn hope.

Selection

MITBAAHY E/W @ 7/1 with Betfred

 

16:25: Jersey Stakes (Group 3) – 7 Furlongs

The Jersey Stakes is a Group 3 race in Great Britain open to three-year-old horses. It is run over a distance of 7 furlongs. The event was established when a three-year cycle of races called the Triennial Stakes was discontinued after World War I. The Triennial Stakes had comprised a race for two-year-olds over 5 furlongs, a race for three-year-olds over 7 furlongs, and a race for four-year-olds over 2 miles. Horses would return each year to compete over increasing distances. 

The Jersey Stakes replaced the second leg of the Triennial Stakes in 1919. It was named after the 4th Earl of Jersey, who served as the Master of the Buckhounds in the late eighteenth century. 

Favourite

River Tiber (Aidan O’Brien) 3YO Colt: Won his first three starts as a juvenile including when taking the Coventry Stakes at this meeting last year. He was upped to a mile on his seasonal reappearance at The Curragh last month and it was plain for all to see that he didn’t quite see out the trip when third to Rosallion in the 2000 Guineas. He will appreciate this step back to seven furlongs and commands utmost respect. With winning course and distance experience on his side, he could conjure up another big run. He cannot be dismissed.

Leading Fancy

Haatem (Richard Hannon) 3YO Colt: A very tough horse who has now been placed in two classics. He is certainly worth his place in this line-up and must surely be rated as a big threat to the favourite. The Hannons won this race back in 2011 with Strong Suit, so they know the calibre of horse required. He has proven himself over a mile already this season, so the step back to seven furlongs should not pose too much of an issue. James Doyle has already been placed on him this season and the pair should be capable of getting involved in the finish. 

Dark Horse

Romantic Style (Charlie Appleby) 3YO Filly: A winner at Deauville on her seasonal reappearance in a Group 3 this year but quite simply didn’t have any luck at Paris Longchamp next time out. She was drawn widest of all and only just failed to get into the top three. She is well worth another chance especially now that she is taking a little bit of a step back in trip and William Buick knows her ever so well. If she has any sort of luck with the draw, she is not out of this by any means.

Outsider

Evade (Archie Watson): A change of stables certainly worked the oracle for this former Andre Fabre-trained runner. A winner on debut for Archie Watson in a listed contest means he has already started to pay back some of the heft fee that was splashed out on him. He seems to like it when there is any form of good in the going description, so there should be no excuses here in relation to that. He is perfectly happy at this kind of trip and further improvement cannot be ruled out. 

Selection

RIVER TIBER @ 2/1 with BetUK

 

17:05: Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap) – 6 Furlongs

The Wokingham Stakes is a flat handicap open to horses aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 6 furlongs. The event is named after Wokingham, a market town several miles to the west of Ascot. It was established in 1813, and the inaugural running was won by Pointers, owned by the Duke of York. For many years the Wokingham Stakes was divided into two or three separate classes, but it became a single race in 1874.

Favourite

Albasheer (Archie Watson) 6YO Gelding: Has done his recent winning on the synthetic surface at Newcastle and difficult to see why he heads the market at this stage. He is without a win on turf in almost a year but a return to a quicker surface and six furlongs are very much in his favour. He was only eleventh in this race last season and that was with a half-decent draw in stall 26. He needs higher again or he would seemingly have it all to do.

Leading Fancies

Dark Trooper (Alban De Mieulle) 4YO Gelding: He absolutely loves this track and won twice over the course and distance last season when trained by Ed Walker. He has been shipped off to France since and got back to winning ways when beating Le Cadeaux at Saint Cloud last time out. A return to this track is very much in his favour and granted luck with the draw, he is one very high on the shortlist.

Fresh (James Fanshawe) 7YO Gelding: It has been a long time between wins for this evergreen seven-year-old. His last victory came in September 2022, but his handicap mark is plummeting as a result and he is now rated nine pounds lower than when finishing fifth in this race last year. James Fanshawe is no mug and this horse although only fifth at Haydock last time out, is likely to have had this as his long-term target for quite some time. If he gets the breaks, he will be cutting through beaten rivals and he could be an each-way steal.

Dark Horse

James’s Delight (Clive Cox) 3YO Gelding: Comes here in the form of his life having won a good little race at York just last Saturday. He has also won at tracks as varied as Newbury, Newmarket and Pontefract. Although three-year-olds have a relatively poor record in this race, Rohaan defied all reason and logic to win it two years ago at that age. James’s Delight could bid for a quick follow-up success provided his trainer is happy to send him into battle. When a sprinter hits form it usually pays to stay with them for a while and with him adaptable in relation to ground conditions, he could well have a say in the outcome. 

Outsider

Russet Gold (Roger Varian) 4YO Gelding: Has had plenty of practice over this course and distance including in his last three races. He has accredited himself well though and although this represents a big step up in grade, he could well take to it for a top yard. He will have matured over the winter and if he sees out this sixth furlong, he could well get involved. The yard won this in 2019 with Cape Byron and therefore knows what type of horse it takes to land a race as competitive as this. 

Selection

FRESH E/W @ 14/1 with Bet365

 

17:40: Golden Gates Stakes Handicap – 1M 1F 212 Yds

This is one of the newest races at the meeting and is a three-year-old handicap open to both sexes. Since its inception in 2020, the prize has been won by UK Trainers on all four occasions. Middle to high draws again usually take centre stage here and 20/1 shots have won this race in the first four runnings. Favourites have won only one of the four renewals.

Favourite

Hand Of God (Harry Charlton) 3YO Colt: Won by the narrowest of margins on his seasonal reappearance when getting up to beat Blue Lemons by a neck at Sandown. He only just managed to justify favouritism that day, but it was good to get a run under his belt. He ought to strip a lot fitter for this contest, but the form of the yard is a major concern. Just one winner in their last two dozen runners makes the alarms sound loud and he will need to improve again here. 

Dark Horse

Old Faithful (Aidan O’Brien) 3YO Colt: Has done everything asked of him so far this season and is two from two over similar trips at Navan and Naas in 2024. His last run was only a couple of weeks ago and the form of the race has already been franked by Glor Tire (who was well beaten). He will need to take another step forward of course, but he is certainly housed at the right yard that can encourage that improvement out of him further. He will make a bold attempt nonetheless in order to try and give the Irish a first taste of victory in this race.

Outsider

Portsmouth (Andrew Balding) 3YO Gelding: A highly talented filly who has done very little wrong this season. She won on her seasonal reappearance at Epsom on decent ground but then found conditions turned against her slightly when meeting rain-softened going on her next two starts. A return to a sounder surface is certainly in her favour and no surprise if she raises her game again here. She was not beaten far by Persica last time out and given a pull at the weights, may well reverse that form. The yard won this in 2021 with Foxes Tales and this has likely been on their agenda for some time. 

Selection

OLD FAITHFUL E/W @ 8/1 with Bet365

 

18:15: Queen Alexandra Stakes  – 2 Miles 5 Furlongs 143 Yds

The Queen Alexandra Stakes is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of 2 miles, 5 furlongs. The event is named after Alexandra of Denmark. It was established in 1864, and it was originally called the Alexandra Plate. It later became known as the Alexandra Stakes, and it was given its current title in 1931. It was formerly contested over 2 miles, 6 furlongs and 34 yards, but it was shortened as a result of the realignment of Ascot's track in 2005. 

The Queen Alexandra Stakes is traditionally the last race on the final day of the five-day Royal Ascot meeting. It sometimes features horses which ran on the opening day in the Ascot Stakes, and the most recent to win both in the same year was Simenon in 2012. 

Favourite

Dawn Rising (Joseph O’Brien) 7YO Gelding: This is a bit of a strange one as his form this season has been absolutely woeful albeit in much better company. It could well be that the drop in to handicap company works the oracle, but it would need to even with Ryan Moore booked to ride. He is coming back to defend his crown as he won this prize last year, but he was on far better terms with himself then. He wouldn’t be one I could recommend based on the mood he has been in for the last wee while.

Vauban (Willie Mullins) 6YO Gelding: Vauban is a bit of an all-rounder and is a former Triumph Hurdle winner. He is now also a bit of a globetrotter on the flat and has found himself as far away as Flemington to compete in the Melbourne Cup. He is equally as useful on the flat as over hurdles and he had a prep run for this when finishing second at York last time out. It could well have been that the trip was far too short for him, but alternatively, this may go against him as it could be far too long for him. Willie Mullins has won this race four times in the last decade and if fully on song, this six-year-old will be tough to beat.

Dark Horse

Postileo (Emmet Mullins) 7YO Gelding: Warmed up for this with a prep run in the Vintage Crop Stakes at The Curragh when beaten nine lengths by Kyprios. That race was probably over far too short of a trip, so this extra distance will likely see him in a better light. He came off worst against Vauban at the meeting in the Copper Horse Handicap last season, but this longer trip could see him reverse that form. From a shrewd yard and if the money arrives for him, he is one to take note of.

Outsider

Tashkhan (Brian Ellison) 6YO Gelding: Tashkan was last seen being placed in Group 1 Company back in October and prior to that he was placed in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket. This stamina-sapping contest looks sure to suit him right down to the ground and he just has that little touch of class about him. He won over a similar trip at Chester last season and if on a going day, he could well romp this. He just seems to need a little bit of give in the ground and hopefully, there is significant watering or rain for him to be seen at his best. The yard is in good form and he has to be feared.

Selection

VAUBAN @ 6/1 with BetMGM

 

Final Thoughts on Royal Ascot Day 5

A brilliant day of racing lies ahead. Please remember to gamble responsibly. Here is a recap of my selections:

14:30 BEDTIME STORY
15:05 CONTINUOUS
15:40 MITBAAHY (EW)
16:25 RIVER TIBER
17:05 FRESH E/W
17:40 OLD FAITHFUL E/W
18:15 TASHKAN E/W

Visit our Royal Ascot tips page on the day of the races to get expert tips from our horse racing team. You can also find the best Royal Ascot betting offers available across the market on our site.