#The Ridler

The 2022 Royal Ascot festival is well underway, with punters set to enjoy two more thrilling days of action in Windsor. The first three days of Royal Ascot haven't disappointed, but there are still plenty of races to come. From the Gold Cup to the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, Ascot is one of the standout fixtures in the racing calendar, and they are…

Prosperous Voyage looks primed for a big run in the Coronation Stakes (4.20pm) on day four of Royal Ascot. The 1000 Guineas second is fancied to overturn the form with Cachet at the top fixture. My selection galloped home strongly to get within a neck of the front runner - a step up on her previous efforts. But she can prove that run, at odds of…

Kyprios is favourite for the Ascot Gold Cup, as he takes on hat-trick hero Stradivarius. It is an important day for followers of the Queen's horses, with Reach For The Moon a warm order for his race Punters fancy up and coming stayer Kyprios to take a first Gold Cup crown from dethroned king Stradivarius. Betfred's 13-8 favourite, trained by Aidan…

In a disintegrating country, stuck for the moment with a Prime Minister who can't see the difference between a proliferation of photo-ops and the act of governing, we needed a Royal Ascot week. No racecourse in the world does photo-ops better than Ascot - the carriage processions, the toppers and tails (and yes, Madam, wear what appears to be a…

Rocket Rodney leads Eddie's Boy (second left) home at Sandown last time out This race is about speed. Raw speed. Just look at the recent winners to get an idea of the fast horses who have excelled in this test. Cotai Glory (2013), Havana Grey (2015) and Liberty Beach (2019) were at their best at five furlongs and fast juveniles have won the last…

The Ridler: controversial winner of the Norfolk Stakes Paul Hanagan could hardly have hoped for a better start to life as a freelancer after landing the Norfolk Stakes with 50-1 shot The Ridler. It has been a turbulent month for the dual champion jockey and he could not hide his emotion after winning for Richard Fahey, with whom his formal…

Baaeed brings an unbeaten record and his status as the world's best racehorse to the Qatar Sussex Stakes (3.35) - but trainer William Haggas insists: "It's no penalty kick." The son of Sea The Stars has proved a class a part in eight career starts - the last four in Group 1 company - and is a white-hot 1-6 favourite with William Hill for the…

In her Platinum Jubilee Year, the Queen's odds-on favourite Reach For The Moon was beaten by Claymore in the Hampton Court Stakes. Dettori was also a runner-up on Saga, as Thesis won the Britannia Stakes. And he had a nightmare passage as Stradivarius was denied a record-equalling fourth Gold Cup. The 13-8 favourite Kyprios, ridden by Ryan Moore…

We've a few news snippets from Musley Bank this week with The Platinum Queen all set for the Prix de l'Abbaye at ParisLongchamp next and she's in great order. Physically she's doing very well and all being well she'll go there with a good chance. She was a bit unfortunate at Doncaster, we were in front a stride before and a stride after the line,…