Horse racing fans across the world are in for a treat this week as the prestigious 2024 Royal Ascot meeting takes centre stage in the United Kingdom.
The five-day equine extravaganza always generates a ton of wagering activity, with punters eager to grab the best odds available on sportsbooks. Read on as we preview some of the best races at Royal Ascot this week, starting with a mouth-watering clash between three Guineas winners on Day One.
Guineas trio set for St Jamesâs Palace showdown
The St Jamesâs Palace Stakes is the standout race on the opening day, with the winners of the English, Irish and French 2000 Guineas set to meet in the one-mile contest. Notable Speech defeated Rosallion in the first Classic of the season at Newmarket, but the latter bounced back to winning ways by winning the Irish equivalent. Metropolitan claimed victory in the French Guineas and his presence at Royal Ascot adds further spice to the race.
Rosallionâs trainer Richard Hannon Jr believes his horse will be better suited by running around a bend at Ascot and he could be the value bet to win the race at odds of 7/2. Notable Speech is the bookmakersâ favourite at 6/4, while Metropolitan is a 12/1 shot.
The opening day card kicks off with the Queen Anne Stakes. Dubai Turf winner Facteur Cheval is the 10/3 joint-favourite alongside Charyn, while Big Rock is also prominent in the market. However, Audience could be the one to beat following his hugely impressive win in the Lockinge Stakes.
Big Evs and Regional are vying for favouritism in the King Charles III Stakes, while Camille Pissarro and Cowardofthecounty are well fancied in the Coventry Stakes. The Ascot Stakes, Wolferton Stakes and the Copper Horse Handicap complete a stellar first day line-up.
Auguste Rodin gunning for revenge on Wednesday
Royal Ascot punters face a head-scratcher on Day Two as Auguste Rodin and White Birch renewal rivalries in the Prince of Walesâs Stakes. White Birch finished behind Auguste Rodin in the English and Irish Derbies last season, but gained his revenge by sweeping his rival aside in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at The Curragh last month. They are both priced at 2/1 on online betting sites to emerge victorious on Wednesday and should be involved in the finish.
Inspiral could also run well at a track which suits her running style. She finished fourth behind Audience in the Lockinge Stakes, but should improve with that run under her belt. Horizon Dore and Blue Rose Cen also have the ability to run big races.
Make Haste will be one to watch in the Queen Mary Stakes in the first race on Wednesday following her impressive debut victory at Naas last month. Jockey Gavin Ryan sat motionless as she powered clear of her rivals and she should can take this step up in class in her stride.
Other horses worth following on the second day include Highbury in the Queenâs Vase, Laurel in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes and Wild Tiger in the Royal Hunt Cup.
Kyprios a banker bet in the Gold Cup
The long-distance Gold Cup is the standout race on Thursday and features a horse who will be the cornerstone of numerous multiple bets this week. Kyprios is the 4/5 favourite to win this race for the second time and he is a banker bet to get the job done. After a troubled 2023 campaign, the six-year-old has returned to his best this season with impressive victories at Navan and Leopardstown. OâBrien believes he is primed to run a massive race in the Gold Cup.
âHe has hit every marker we’ve set for him this season and it has all gone very smoothly,â he told Sky Sports. âHe’s never likely to be the type to stretch away and after what happened in France, where he veered left after hitting the front, we are never in a rush to deliver him to the front. We would always ideally like to get him a lead for as long as possible. After all the difficulties he faced last season, we are excited to see him back in the Gold Cup.â
The Commonwealth Cup is one of the headline races on Friday and looks to be a fiendishly difficult betting puzzle to unravel. Sandy Lane Stakes first and second Inisherin and Orne have both been supplemented for the race, adding further depth to a high-quality field of sprinters.
Opera Singer looks nailed on to run a big race in Coronation Stakes on the final day of Royal Ascot, while Mill Stream is strongly fancied to be in contention to secure victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.
