AUTHOR: Star Sports Content
STAR RACING PREVIEW Weds: Royal Ascot 2025 Day 2
Royal Ascot gave us a great first day on track and also a great day for followers, with Gstaad and American Affair giving us a winning start to a meeting where we could have had even more, with Notable Speech trapped at the wrong time in the Queen Anne whilst Cabello De Mar bumped into a group horse in a handicap in the finale, writes WILLIAM KEDJANYI.
Field of Gold’s performance was the highlight of Day 1, and the sky is the limit for him wether he stays at a mile or steps up in trip – the Juddmonte would look a natural target in high summer but he would also be expected to dominate the Sussex or Jacques Le Marois if he went there. Gstaad was also extremely impressive, winning the Coventry going down the middle and beating both sides. It remains to be seen how the form works out but he’s clearly a high class colt and it’s an exciting prospect that Albert Einstein from the same yard is considered to be even better. Onwards to today’s action!
If you want to know how the on course team performed on Day 1, then click below for Simon Nott’s blog!
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🎩 2:30 – Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies) (Class 1) (2yo) 5f
Two make most appeal against the field here. True Love is still a maiden, but she was beaten in listed company on debut by a subsequent Group 3 winner, and then she was caught late on by Gstaad at Navan in the final 110 yards over 6 furlongs. That form is the best in the field here and with a clear run at things she’ll take a ton of beating if repeating that form.
Society Kiss was extremely impressive on debut over this course and distance when beating Justice Twice (runs here as well, fair yardstick) with plenty in hand, whilst she had Ruby’s Angel (who was a close enough second to Listed second Harry’s Girl, the pair clear at Newmarket), behind in third. That’s amongst the best of the maiden wins in this field, and she can run well again here so is worth supporting each/way.
Zelaina was impressive at Nottingham for a trainer who has won two of the last three editions of this race with once raced fillies, taking the same contest as a previous winner in style. She’s got to be respected but is perhaps too short with those factors playing their part. Cardiff By The Sea made Norfolk favourite Charles Darwin work reasonably hard for victory at Naas on debut and has to be respected along with fast Newmarket winner Spicy Marg, American raider Lennilu, and the Marygate winner Secret Hideaway.
🎩 3:05 – Queen’s Vase (Group 2) (Class 1) (3yo) 1m6f (1m6f34y)
Not the most appealing renewal here, with the top rated just 107 and plenty sure to be different horses over this trip. Shackleton and Scandinavia are of obvious interest coming from Ballydoyle, whilst Pinhole’s Chester Vase fourth looks much stronger form now, and Asmarani’s Prix Hocquart second has been boosted by the winner since, although this ground is a question mark (unless you listen to his trainer, Francis-Henri Graffard). Listed winner Carmers has made a big jump in just two starts, and Spinning Wheel also promises to improve, so no selection here with token pointers to Pinhole and Asmarani.
🎩 3:40 – (Rnd) Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies & Mares) (Class 1) (4yo+) 1m (7f213y)
A proper renewal, with the vote going to Fallen Angel. She was impressive in last year’s Irish Guineas, gave Porta Fortuna a mighty fight in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown and maybe didn’t quite see out the 10 furlongs of the Diane at Longchamp on Arc day. She ran perfectly respectably in the Lockinge Stakes on her return, and if she’s stepped forward physically from that, ought to take plenty of beating.
Cinderella’s Dream was an empathic winner over Elmaka at Newmarket last time out and is the main threat although One Look gave Porta Fortuna a good fright in the Lanwades Stud Stakes and should be heavily involved also. Running Lion won this last year in style although that looks a weaker renewal and she’s been slgihty in and out since. Soprano would have a shout at her best form, although she’ll need it here, having beaten Crimson Advocate by just a nose last time out at Kempton. Start Of Day will improve for her reappearance and has some smart form in France but it’s all come with cut in the ground, and she was behind two of her rivals in the L’Opera in October.
🎩 4:20 – Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (4yo+) 1m2f (1m1f212y)
A belting renewal with five Group 1 winners from three countries. Los Angeles just got the better of Anmaat in the Tattersalls Gold Cup when he looked there for the taking before battling back and digging in for a second top-level success. There ought to be precious little between the pair again, with Continuous sure to set a strong gallop if able over a track that ought to suit (ignore his run in the Champion Stakes, after a long season). Anmaat was having his first run of the season there and may attack later than he did at the Curragh to avoid a slugfest, in which case he’d have an advantage that did didn’t at the Curragh – assuming that the ground is OK for him (will be faster here than at the Curragh, and he has a lot of good efforts with cut the ground).
Map Of Stars just failed to get the better of Arc favourite Sosie in the Prix Ganay, and as a horse who is maturing at a rate of knots, has to be a major player here too. His form with Horizon D’Ore from last time reads well (Horizon D’ore third last year), and he’s a big threat whilst if See The Fire repeats her incredible York performance (won the Middleton by 12 lengths) then victory for her would be no surprise. She was beaten by Anmaat in the Champion Stakes although the ground may have played a part along with a busy season.
Ombudsman impressed in winning four starts last season and was backed very well in the Star Sports Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown, just being unable to give a very solid race fit rival 5lbs. Don’t be surprised if his big day comes today, although he’ll need to find more improvement to beat one of the other big players.
🎩 5:00 – (Str) Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo+) 1m
One of the punting highlights of the week. In the last few years, winners have been shared between the top and middle of the market and market leaders Fox Legacy and Qirat make most appeal. Fox Legacy made a dream start to life for Andrew Balding when landing the Suffolk Stakes at Newmarket in style, and a 6lbs rise for that is reasonable. His extra stamina is a bonus here and she should go well with Oisin Murphy having options from stall 11. Qirat has an excellent big field record here and whilst there’s a minor question about how well suited he is for a mile over 7 furlongs, he seemed to stay it fine in listed company on soft ground at the backend of last season. Fox Legacy gets the vote here, with his extra stamina a definite plus.
🎩 5:35 – Kensington Palace Stakes (Fillies’ Handicap) (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-105) 1m (Str)
Just as tricky as the Hunt Cup beforehand. The most appealing choice is Arolla for those playing after a fine second in 7f Musselburgh Listed race (good) on her seasonal return 11 days ago. She looks amongst the least exposed and Colin Keane’s promotion to the Juddmonte number one is a bonus for her backers. Serlaise, second in the Emerald Mile handicap at the Curragh last time, would be second choice whilst Royal runner Rainbows Edge and Arisaig, 1-2 over course and distance last time, should also play a hand.
🎩 6:10 – Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (2yo) 5f
Old Is Gold was third in a warm novice stakes here on debut before landing the Two Year Old Trophy from a promising newcomer (second favourite for Coventry tomorrow), with the Coventry Stakes seventh in third just behind. He should go well as should Havana Hurricane, who started slowly, made a massive mid-race move and then just got outstayed in the Woodcote at Epsom. The winner is a promising prospect, whilst Raakeb’s position in third boosted the form yesterday.
RECOMMENDED BETS
BACK True Love to win the Queen Mary (2.30pm) 2 pts at 5/2 (⭐
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BACK Society Kiss to win the Queen Mary (2.30pm) 1 pt at 13/2 (⭐
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BACK Fallen Angel to win the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (3.40pm) 1 pt at 5/1 (⭐
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BACK Fox Angel to win the Royal Hunt Cup (5.00pm) 1 pt each/way at 7/1 (⭐
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BACK Arolla to win the Kensington Palace Stakes (5.35pm) 1 pt each/way at 7/1 (⭐
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BACK Old Is Gold to win the Windsor Castle Stakes (6.10pm) 1 pt each/way at 7/1 (⭐
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BACK Havana Hurricane to win the Windsor Castle Stakes (6.10pm) 1 pt each/way at 8/1 (⭐
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PROFIT/LOSS (JUN 2025): 11.40 points
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