With Royal Ascot in full swing, TCW’s Racing Editor looks at this afternoon’s card and selects a few runners.
ROYALTY, pageantry, high hopes and high bets make Royal Ascot one of the most enjoyable and well-attended spectacles in the racing calendar. With a strict dress code there will be elegant frocks and fascinators for the ladies, while gentlemen will be attired in smart morning suits.
With good weather forecast for the whole week, it should be a memorable afternoon. There are dozens of horses running, some with excellent pedigree – others less so. This is my take on some to avoid and some to bet the house on.
14.30 RNLI Small Boats Trophy
Mr U Turn
Ridden by popular Knight of the Realm Sir Keir Starmer, this ten-year-old has a somewhat chequered history. Came up short in the Grooming Gang Cup last year at Rotherham and has a stamina question on anything over a mile. Prefers soft to hard going. Scored an unexpected win in the Chagos Surrender Stakes, has recently changed stables from Lord Alli to Lord Hermer, could do well on current form, although came a distant 5th in the Extreme Right Wing Stakes in 2024 at Thirsk. Made an initial good impression in the Smash the Gangs 5-furlong sprint at Brighton but was soundly beaten in the end by Master Reform ridden by N Farage.
The Economist
Female jockeys are few and far between, but Rachel Reeves has made a name for herself both on and off course. Fashionable and personable, she has had several successful outings culminating in a one-furlong victory in the Halifax Call Centre Challenge at York. Came a respectable 4th in the Winter Fuel Allowance Stakes but was edged out in the Schools VAT 2000 Guineas at Epsom. Needs significant improvement if she is to make an impression here.
Red’s the name
Another female rider, Angela Rayner, and definitely one to watch. Has recently lacked form but on recent outings has looked to be improving coming a close second in the Stockport Two Home Handicap Stakes. Need to bounce back after a lacklustre showing in the Soak the Rich Challenge Trophy. Should like the going here and relishes a challenge.
Mr Bonkers
Ridden by Ed Miliband (son of legendary jockey Ralph), on paper most suited to this outing. Rode to a storming victory in the Blackout Stakes at Sandown and was a close second in the No Heating or Hot Water Cup at Chester in May. Career best performance: first (against stiff competition) in the Totally Deranged Stakes run over 1m at Westminster.
If you appreciated this article, perhaps you might consider making a donation to The Conservative Woman. Unlike most other websites, we receive no independent funding. Our editors are unpaid and work entirely voluntarily as do the majority of our contributors but there are inevitable costs associated with running a website. We depend on our readers to help us, either with regular or one-off payments. You can donate here. Thank you.
If you have not already signed up to a daily email alert of new articles please do so. It is here and free! Thank you.
