The 2020 Royal Ascot Carnival concludes on Saturday night with an eight race card, highlighted by the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m).

Race 1. (21:40) Silver Wokingham Handicap 1200m
1 Swindler (Bet Now: $6.00) on top in the opener. Quirky animal for Ed Walker but certainly has the talent to take this out. Resumed over 1200m at Newmarket and worked to the line pretty well I thought behind Tinto. He’s a horse who can be hard to catch given his racing pattern of getting back and running on, but he gets the right set up here to launch late.
10 Aplomb (Bet Now: $4.75) will be hard to beat back on a track which has cushion. Resumed on a firm deck at Newmarket and was a definite pass mark in defeat when beaten three lengths by Makanah. Aussie Tom to take the ride and he’s a gelding who is clearly better suited when getting his toe in. Leading contender.
1200m is the query with 3 Count D’Orsay (Bet Now: $13.00) but he’s got the right racing pattern to give himself every chance. Resumed over 1000m at Newmarket when showing good early toe and just knocked up late to finish third. If this was 1000m, could be tempted to have him on top. Just the last 100-150m is going to be the query.
Race 2. (22:15) Queen Mary Stakes 1000m
Wesley Ward hasn’t been far off at Royal Ascot this week but I think he can take this out with 1 Campanelle (Bet Now: $7.00). Debuted on May 31 at Gulfstream Park over 1000m and she produced brilliant sustained speed from the front, leading throughout to win quite comfortably and ran sharp time, which is a good sign for a juvenile on debut. Frankie rides and last night we saw that the inside wasn’t as bad as previous days, so gate one might be okay.
6 Happy Romance (Bet Now: $11.00) is a Richard Hannon trained filly that has had two career outings and does have that extra run under the belt. Not much went her way on debut at Newmarket before going to a three horse Sandown race last week and while she beat nothing but the manner in which she won was impressive. More to come from her and the form out of that Newmarket race has been good.
12 Royal Approval (Bet Now: $23.00) can definitely win if this track is suiting those drawn wide. Stablemate of Campanelle that debuted in the same race as her at Gulfstream Park. She was chasing throughout and had her no chance, but was no match. Interesting that the stable does send her over as well because off the Gulfstream run, Campanelle beats her here.
Race 3. (22:50) Coventry Stakes 1200m
Not surprised there has been early support for 5 Dark Lion (Bet Now: $11.00). Was sent out favourite on debut at Newmarket but did everything wrong. Tardy to begin with, wanted to pull, was very green, but once he put his mind to it, he was really good late. Eats up 1200m here and you’d like to think he’ll take great benefit from that run. Think he’s an each way gamble for sure.
1 Admiral Nelson (Bet Now: $3.00) is an Aidan O’Brien trained juvenile that cost a fair bit as a yearling. Sent around as a $6 chance on debut at the Curragh but he looked every bit a good horse in going through his gears to win quite impressively in okay time. Ryan Moore takes over and off that debut win, 1200m here should be fine.
15 Talbot (Bet Now: $12.00) looks to have his share of ability. Debuted on the All Weather at Lingfield over 1000m and under Oisin Murphy produced a really good turn of foot to get the job done. The runner up has since won, so the form has been franked, and the way he charged through the line, I think 1200m here is ideal.
Race 4. (23:25) Coronation Stakes 1600m
5 Run Wild (Bet Now: $5.50) on top in an intriguing edition of the Coronation Stakes. John Gosden trained filly that resumed over 2000m in the Pretty Polly at Newmarket and led throughout under a lovely front running steer from Oisin Murphy, running out the ten furlongs quite strongly. Back to 1600m is no issue, looks the leader and love the booking of James Doyle.
4 Quadrilateral (Bet Now: $3.75) was unbeaten going into the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and while she was far from disgraced in defeat in running third, she did race a bit keen in the run, noteworthy that the tongue tie was on first time for that race and perhaps she resented it somewhat. Got the runs on the board from last prep to be highly respected.
7 So Wonderful (Bet Now: $8.00) is a very interesting runner. Still a maiden for Aidan O’Brien but Ryan Moore chooses it over the stablemate Love Rocket, who comes here off the back of strong win at Leopardstown in a Group lll. So Wonderful resumed in the Irish 1000 Guineas and was very good in defeat behind a star filly, Peaceful. That form, potentially, is better than that English 1000 Guineas form.
Race 5. (00:00) St James’s Palace Stakes 1600m
Going for the mini upset in 2 Palace Pier (Bet Now: $4.50). Unbeaten three year old for John Gosden that won his first two last year in good style. Spelled, and Gosden could have easily run him in the 2000 Guineas, but instead went to Newcastle and spanked them there. Creates good interest, is the fresh blood and will run out the 1600m strongly.
I’m with 7 Wichita (Bet Now: $3.00) to maintain a margin on Pinaturbo, who IMO won’t run out the 1600m. They clashed in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and Wichita held him, running second to Kameko. Off that run along, Wichita maintains a margin over Pinaturbo and that form is the strongest for a race like this.
1 Arizona (Bet Now: $21.00) could be one to include in multiples. Interesting that Ryan Moore rode him rather than Wichita when they clashed in the 2000 Guineas, with Wichita clearly getting the verdict in that mini clash. Arizona was really disappointing and needs to improve big time, but showed during his 2YO season he’s capable.
Race 6. (00:35) Diamond Jubilee Stakes 1200m
Provided the track is dry, which I think it will be, I’m going each way with 3 Khaadem (Bet Now: $7.50), resuming for Charles Hills with the in form Jim Crowley to steer. This sprinter created a really good impression last year, winning the Stewards Cup at Goodwood but failed at his last two runs, noteworthy on wet ground, so want a dry deck for him.
Just how good is 5 Sceptical (Bet Now: $4.20) for Denis Hogan? Connections paid just under 3,000 Pounds for this horse when unraced and now five starts later, is the highest rated sprinter in Ireland and is a hot favourite for a world class sprint race. On form, he’s beaten nothing, but his wins have been very good and big tick/lead that Frankie is booked.
8 The Tin Man (Bet Now: $13.00) won this race back in 2017. The veteran has seen better days but he is first up here without a lead up run. His best efforts last year did come on dry ground, so he’ll be hoping for a dry deck and the thing going for him is that he is proven at the track/distance. Doubt he wins, but is one for multiples.
Race 7. (01:10) Wokingham Stakes 1200m
8 Summerghand (Bet Now: $9.00) represents each way value. James Doyle takes the ride after this gelding resumed over 1200m at Newmarket and worked to the line quite nicely when second to the surprise winner Tinto, beaten 1.4L. Was good in defeat second up last prep at Meydan and I think a fast run 1200m will be ideal.
9 Bielsa (Bet Now: $5.50) looks a promising animal for Kevin Ryan with De Sousa to steer. Has won four of his five career outings, with the only blip being a failure at Doncaster when pulling up with excuses. Pretty much his toughest test to date here, but is a horse heading in the right direction and can easily measure up to these.
Not sure what to make of the Newmarket win of 2 Tinto (Bet Now: $9.50). Was $41 there when he bolted up Jim Crowley and did beat home Summerghand fair and square. Likely to be around the $10 mark this time around, but he is a track/distance winner and you would suspect will improve from that Newmarket outing.
Race 8. (01:40) Queen Alexandra Stakes 4350m
9 Who Dares (Bet Now: $2.10) Wins looks the good thing of the Carnival. High quality jumper and a quality flat horse as well, having won the Northumberland Plate last year. He’s got the best staying credentials of this lot by a mile and I’m sure Aussie Tom will put him to sleep, angle clear, get into his work and be too good for them.
8 The Grand Visir (Bet Now: $3.75) looks the only threat. Ian Williams trains this guy, who is first up, having not raced since October 23 when third in a Hurdle race. Is a winner at 4000m here from last year, so he’s ticked that Ascot stamina box, he’s in a leading stable and should prove the leading threat to Who Dares Wins.
4 Imphal (Bet Now: $12.00) is a lightly raced galloper who gets Ryan Moore to steer and he is the best in the world when it comes to these type of staying races. Just had the two runs last year and while he didn’t win, he was far from disgraced in some pretty good races. He races as if this kind of trip won’t be an issue and is a knockout chance.
Best Bets & Quaddie Tips
BEST BET: Race Eight Number 9 Who Dares Wins
NEXT BEST: Race Two Number 1 Campanelle
LONG SHOT: Race Six Number 3 Khaadem
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