Horse race with jockeys competing on a dirt track.

2025-06-17

Royal Ascot: Day One Predictions

Royal Ascot is back on Tuesday afternoon with a spectacular seven race card that features no fewer than three Group 1 contests.

All eyes will be on Rosallion and Field Of Gold in the feature races on day one, while an Australian raider bids for back-to-back renewals of the King Charles III Stakes.

We’ve picked out selections from all of the races on the card, including an Ascot specialist that looks worth following again.

2.30 Ascot - 1m (Str) Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (4yo+)

This could be a bit more open than the betting suggests and SARDINIAN WARRIOR could be worth chancing at decent odds.

He got the better of Docklands on his turf debut at this venue in April and his subsequent close second to French star, Sosie, looks like a high-class piece of form.

Selection: [Sardinian Warrior @ 23/4](https://www.leovegas.com/en-row/betting#racing/event/1024015566

3.05 Ascot - 6f Coventry Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (2yo)

After a mightily impressive debut performance at Navan just ten days ago, WARSAW looks worth chancing in the first juvenile Group 1 of the week.

He still looked like he was learning on the job that day, running green when asked for his effort but the penny dropped late when he managed to quicken away and there’s every chance he will have both learnt from that and improve for a longer trip in this contest.

Selection: Warsaw @ 15/2

https://www.leovegas.com/en-row/betting#racing/event/1024015570

3.40 Ascot - 5f King Charles III Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (3yo+)

Australian sprinters are a level above their European counterparts and ASFOORA looks capable of gaining back-to-back wins in the King Charles III Stakes.

She gets her decent ground once again here and this is arguably a weaker contest than the race she won last season. If first-time blinkers have the desired effect, she could be hard to pass.

Selection: Asfoora @ 4/1

https://www.leovegas.com/en-row/betting#racing/event/1024015568

4.20 Ascot - 1m (Rnd) St James's Palace Stakes (Group 1) (Colts) (Class 1) (3yo)

Breeders’ Cup winner, HENRI MATISSE, seems to have been a little forgotten about in the market here.

Aidan O’Brien’s colt isn’t as flashy as the two at the head of the betting but he put another Group 1 success on the board in the French Guineas last time out and he always gives the impression he’s only doing enough. His running style will suit Ascot and he can outrun his odds.

Selection: Henri Matisse @ 16/5

https://www.leovegas.com/en-row/betting#racing/event/1024015565

5.00 Ascot - 2m4f Ascot Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-100)

Jumps trainer Willie Mullins has a cracking record in this contest - winning three renewals between 2015 and 2018 - and he has a particularly strong hand this year.

PONIROS is narrowly preferred. He has looked highly progressive over timber since joining this yard and there’s every chance that this sort of distance will be in his favour back on the level.

Selection: Poniros @ 9/2 https://www.leovegas.com/en-row/betting#racing/event/1024015567

5.35 Ascot - 1m2f Wolferton Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)

It may be worth taking a chance on GALEN, who got the better of two Group 1 horses at the Curragh on his return. That form has been boosted by Jan Brueghel landing the Coronation Stakes last month and there could easily be more to come from this four-year-old, who is less exposed than plenty of these.

Selection: Galen @ 17/1

https://www.leovegas.com/en-row/betting#racing/event/1024015571

6.10 - Ascot - 1m6f Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap) (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-105)

A tough “get out” stakes to conclude the card, with a chance taken on LOUGHVILLE. Alan King excels with his stayers and this mare has taken her form to a new level this season.

She was a bit too keen at Goodwood last time but will be able to obtain cover in this big field and she was unlucky not to get her head in front on her penultimate outing when meeting interference in the home straight.