Royal Ascot

Norfolk Stakes (Group 2)

Sky Bet paying 4 places instead of 3 

SKY BET EXTRA PLACE RACE

Charles Darwin

Wise Approach

Sandal's Song

CHARLES DARWIN posted an outstanding timefigure in seeing off a trio of newcomers at Naas and is very much the one to beat on that form, even before factoring in the potential for further improvement. Naval Light and Afjan both strike as the types to improve markedly from their debuts, so they look most interesting of the opposition. 

King George V Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Sky Bet paying 6 places instead of 4

Merchant

Serious Contender

Pantile Warrior

Nautical Force

SING US A SONG was purchased by Wathnan Racing after his 1¼m Sandown handicap debut success in April and looks to have been saved for this. The step up to 1½m should play to his strengths and he can provide Ralph Beckett with a third win in this since 2021. Merchant, Gunship and Masai Moon head the many dangers in a typically strong renewal of this 3-y-o handicap. 

Ribblesdale Stakes (Fillies' Group 2)

Sky Bet paying 4 places instead of 3

Garden Of Eden

Understudy

Catalina Delcarpio

SERENITY PRAYER has come a long way in a short time and might prove the answer to an open Ribblesdale, with the step up to 1½m promising to unlock more improvement from this Dubawi filly. Caspi Star has blossomed since stepped up to around 1½m and is second choice ahead of Lady Vivian and Garden of Eden, the mount of Ryan Moore from the Aidan O'Brien trio. 

Gold Cup (Group 1)

Trawlerman

Illinois

Dubai Future

The retirement of Kyprios has blown this race wide open and that could pave the way for TRAWLERMAN, who pushed him very close 12 months ago, to make the breakthrough at the top level. He impressed when making all at Sandown last month, his first victory since the 2023 Long Distance Cup here, and seems sure to give a good account. Illinois has some big shoes to fill replacing Kyprios but could easily be up to the task. French raider Candelari is 4-5 and improving and can go well.

Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (Str)

Arabian Story

La Botte

Fearnot

Dividend

Plenty of these are potentially ahead of their marks, including RAAFEDD, who very much looked the part when winning his novice at Newbury last month. He tops the shortlist ahead of Fearnot, who booked his place for this with an impressive C&D success 6 weeks ago. Arctic Grey and Parole d'Oro complete the shortlist. 

Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3)

Trinity College

Tornado Alert

Glittering Legend

It may not prove a vintage renewal of the French Derby but DETAIN produced a career best when third in this year's race and he sets the standard back down in class. Trinity College belied expectations when a close fourth at Chantilly and can go well again, while High Stock ran a race full of promise when runner-up on only his second career start in the Dee Stakes and may well progress again. Of the rest, 2000 Guineas fourth Tornado Alert and Jackknife both appeal now tackling 1¼m.

Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap)

Sky Bet paying 7 places instead of 4

Never So Brave

Akkadian Thunder

Holguin

Myal

Hard to whittle the shortlist down but NEVER SO BRAVE is a low-mileage 4-y-o who should probably have made a winning start for Andrew Balding at Chester 3 weeks ago. There's definitely a bigger performance in him so he gets the nod in favour of Ramazan, who hasn't been seen to best effect this season and has been given a major chance by the assessor. Last year's decisive winner English Oak is clearly dangerous, with Gleneagle Bay also of firm interest.

Royal Ascot Festival Results Thursday 19th June 2025