Saturday’s Royal Ascot tips
- Kalpana (Ascot, 15.05) – 3pts win @ 5/2 (bet365)
- Satano Reve (Ascot, 15.40) – 2pts win @ 9/2 (William Hill)
- Evening Saigon (Ascot, 17.00) – 1pt each-way @ 25/1 (bet365)
- Perisher (Ascot, 17.35) – 1pt each-way @ 12/1 (bet365)
It’s the fifth and final day of Royal Ascot and we are aiming to round off the week in style with some winners. Let’s take a look at the best bets on the card for a sweltering Saturday of racing.
Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2)
A 1m4f contest that was inaugurated in 1879 and last year produced its oldest winner, the seven-year-old Rebel’s Romance.
This year it has drawn some classy performers, including 2025 Derby winner Lambourn, 2024 St Leger winner Jan Breughel, 2024 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Goliath, 2025 Ebor and Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Ethical Diamond and dual Fillies & Mares Stakes winner KALPANA, who is my selection on betting sites.
Andrew Balding has made no secret of the fact that he’d love to bring her back to win a third successive Fillies & Mares Stakes in October, which is over this C&D but she also has plenty going for her in this race.
The mares’ allowance of 3lb will help her for starters, while her trainer’s runners have been going well here this week. She’s got that course form to her name, possesses both speed and stamina and acts on fast ground.
I think Jan Breughel is arguably better over slightly further and I’d be more concerned with the presence of Goliath and Ethical Diamond, who was a massive improver for Willie Mullins last season.
Royal Ascot tip 1: Kalpana – 3pts win @ 5/2 (bet365)
Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Group 1)
Prize money of £1,000,000 has drawn a stellar field of sprinters to Berkshire for this 6f event, contested as a Group 1 since 2002.
This race has thrown up some shocks, in particular Khaadem’s first win in 2022 at 80/1 and that of Naval Crown a year earlier at 22/1.
However, the last decade has otherwise suggested that those towards the head of the market on horse racing betting sites are the ones on which we should concentrate.
Crack Aussie sprinter Joliestar heads the ante-post market at 9/4 and has won three off the reel Down Under before heading over for this. She’s not yet raced on fast ground, which is one box she’ll have to tick but she does get that useful mares’ allowance of 3lb. She’s much respected.
The William Haggas-trained Lake Forest is perhaps the home nation’s best candidate after winning the Listed Spring Trophy at Haydock easily last time. He’s drawn in stall one, which isn’t ideal and I prefer the Japanese raider SATONO REVE.
He went off as the favourite for this last year (stall 16) and finished a close second to Lazzat. He’s got some very solid form with Ka Ying Rising, who is generally accepted as the best sprinter in the world and this year he has the brilliant Ryan Moore on board. I think 9/2 about him is a fair price and I’m happy to take it.
Royal Ascot tip 2: Satano Reve – 2pts win @ 9/2 (William Hill)
Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2)
The performance of Binhareer at York last time was an eyecatcher and it’s no surprise that he’s favourite for this on most betting apps, as he still may have a bit in hand on the assessor. However, as with this race year on year, there are many in with chances, some of which appear to have been overlooked by the market.
Once such runner could be EVENING SAIGON, who is one of three representatives of Wathnan Racing. He’s a 25/1 chance as I write this and I think he’s overpriced, having run 20/1 chance Far Above Dream very close last time.
He’s got a very high draw, which has proved fruitful on more than one occasion this week, acts on a sound surface and he remains unexposed after just seven starts. That latest effort was another improvement and he also looks well treated going into this. He looks worth a small stakes each-way play in a very tough race.
Royal Ascot tip 3: Evening Saigon – 1pt each-way @ 25/1 (bet365)
Golden Gates Stakes (Handicap) (Class 2)
A final selection of the meeting here and I am hoping we can bring the curtain down in style with the Joseph O’Brien-trained PERISHER.
The trainer has enjoyed a good week and, after a slow start as a juvenile, this gelded son of International winner Australia has come on leaps and bounds this season.
Starting off with a keeping-on third on testing ground at Cork (1m), he broke his duck next time at Gowran Park (1m, soft) when racing prominently and showing the stomach for a battle to just prevail.
However, it was his latest effort that particularly interests me where Saturday’s race is concerned, as he made all to rout his field when upped in trip at Naas (1m2½f, good) last month.
Given time since, he should be spot on for this tougher assignment. He’s not yet raced on fast ground but his sire acted well on it, so I’m not too concerned in that regard and at a double-figure price (14/1 at the time of writing), he looks to have a live each-way chance.
Royal Ascot tip 4: Perisher – 1pt each-way @ 12/1 (bet365)
Free bets for Royal Ascot
Betfred are offering new customers £50 in free bets right now, with the entire bonus available for wagering on racing.
A lot of betting sites place restrictions on which sports free bets can be used, but Betfred don’t limit a punter’s choice.
Sign up using the link below, complete the registration process and then make a first deposit of at least £10. Next, wager £10 or more on any event at the Betfred sportsbook at odds of evens or greater.
Once the bet is settled, punters will receive the £50 in free bets, which is split into 5 x £10 free bet tokens. £30 of the welcome bonus can be used on any sport, while the other £20 can only be used on accumulators.
Find more Royal Ascot free bet offers on our dedicated page.
Gamble responsibly
If you’re having a bet on Royal Ascot, it’s vital to practice responsible gambling.
Betting can be addictive, and it’s important to stay in control of your gambling, whether you’re using online bookmakers, casino sites, slot sites, bingo sites or any other gambling platform.
Never treat gambling as a way to make money, never bet more than you can afford and when the fun stops, stop.
Gambling sites offer punters tools, like deposit limits, profit and loss trackers and self-exclusion options, to help you stay in control.
But if you ever feel like you need help or advice on gambling addiction, don’t hesitate to contact one of the charities or organisations below.
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