Royal Ascot TIPS: Newsboy picks 1-2-3 for every race on Thursday on ITV
Royal Ascot is set to draw its biggest crowd of the week for Gold Cup day, traditionally known as 'Ladies' Day'. The Gold Cup is the most historic race of the prestigious five-day fixture which attracts the best horses, trainers and jockeys from Europe and around the world.
The feature prize is the fourth race on the card which opens with the 5f Norfolk Stakes for two-year-olds followed by the Ribblesdale Stakes, the 1m4f race for three-year-old fillies. Newsboy has analysed every race and given his 1-2-3.
2.30 Norfolk Stakes
AFJAN made a most promising debut at Chantilly at the beginning of the month and gets the vote to take his tally to 2-2.
Trained in France by Henri-François Devin, my selection is bred to be precocious and speedy - his sire Mehmas finished second in the 2016 Coventry Stakes before going on to lift the Group 2 July Stakes (Newmarket) and Richmond Stakes (Goodwood) later that summer, while dam Al Johrah chased home Lady Aurelia in the Queen Mary Stakes the same year.
Afjan started out in a race for newcomers over an extended five furlongs at Devin's local course, going off second choice in the betting in a field of nine.
And Alexis Pouchin's mount got his career off to the perfect start, running on strongly to the finish to get the better of Vardif by a length and a quarter.
There is plenty of improvement to come at the second time of asking as Afjan bids to better his parents' feats at Royal Ascot. Charles Darwin is the clubhouse leader in terms of form and rates the principal danger, ahead of Naval Light and, at bigger odds, Comical Point.
3.05 King George V Stakes
SING US A SONG, progressive and likely to thrive for a step up in trip, has the right profile for trainer Ralph Beckett, who hit the bullseye with Surefire in 2021 and Going The Distance 12 months ago.
Successful on the last of his three starts as a two-year-old - he won a 10-furlong maiden at Goodwood by a short head last September - Camelot's son made his return to the fray in a handicap over the same distance at Sandown Park at the end of April.
A 4-1 chance in a field of 12, Hector Crouch's mount came back from a 212-day absence to double his career tally, making much of the running and surging home with gusto to hold Urban Glimpse by two and a quarter lengths.
After the colt's pre-Royal Ascot purchase by Wathnan Racing, James Doyle is now on board Sing Us A Song who has a 7lb rise in the weights to overcome - but both his run style and his pedigree suggest another step forward will be forthcoming now he tackles a mile and a half.
In a wide-open contest, Serious Contender, Gunship, Lightening Mann and Boatswain are just four horses capable of getting involved.
NEWSBOY'S 1-2-3: 1 SING US A SONG, 2 SERIOUS CONTENDER, 3 LIGHTENING MANN
3.40 Ribblesdale Stakes
SERENITY PRAYER has seen her Musidora Stakes second boosted by Whirl in the Oaks at Epsom and holds leading claims.
We didn't see the daughter of Dubawi - dam Peach Tree, a sister to 1,000 Guineas and Oaks heroine Love, won at Group 3 level - as a two-year-old.
But Serenity Prayer had evidently been showing up well on Andrew Balding's Kingsclere gallops prior to making her debut against seven rivals at Newbury in April.
Backed into 2-1 joint-favouritism, my selection and Oisín Murphy justified the support with a length-and-and-a-half margin to earn a trip to York for the Group 3 Oaks trial.
Racing at the back of the six-runners, Serenity Prayer began to feel the heat at the top of the straight but stuck to her guns and got up for second, five and a half lengths behind the Aidan O'Brien-trained winner.
Whirl went under by just a neck to stablemate Minnie Hauk at Epsom and Serenity Prayer, for whom the move up to a mile and a half is a plus, still has more to give. Catalina Delcarpio, Life Is Beautiful and Lady Vivian are taken to fight it out for the minor medals.
NEWSBOY'S 1-2-3: 1 SERENITY PRAYER, 2 CATALINA DELCARPIO, 3 LADY VIVIAN
4.20 Gold Cup
ILLINOIS is expected to answer the questions regarding his stamina and extend his trainer Aidan O'Brien's record in Royal Ascot's signature race to double figures.
Opponents will point to the fact that today's favourite was parachuted into the Gold Cup reckoning only when stablemate, and dual winner, Kyprios succumbed to a career-ending injury last month.
But a Ballydoyle understudy can still bring the house down, as Gstaad, standing in for the sidelined Albert Einstein, proved in Tuesday's Coventry Stakes.
Twelve months ago, Illinois made his first visit to Ascot a winning one with a victory in the Group 2 Queen's Vase over a mile and six furlongs.
My selection then stepped back to a mile and a half during the summer for seconds in the top-level Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp and York's Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes, before a neck defeat behind another O'Brien trainee, Jan Brueghel, in the St Leger at Doncaster in September.
Ryan Moore's mount rounded off 2024 with a win in the Group 2 Prix Chaudenay over a mile and seven back in Paris on Arc weekend.
And he proved everything is in working order after 215 days off with a length-and-a-quarter margin from Al Qareem in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester last month.
As the trainer himself notes, nobody will know whether Illinois possesses the required stamina until he reaches the home straight this afternoon. But O'Brien rarely sends short runners to the Gold Cup and a 10th triumph awaits.
Candelari, like Illinois an up-and-coming four-year-old, isn't passed over lightly, while Trawlerman and Sweet William, second and third to Kyprios for John and Thady Gosden in 2024, are poised to profit if the young guns' staying power doesn't hold out.
5.00 Britannia Stakes
FIFTH COLUMN gives the impression he doesn't do more than the necessary - and that makes life tough for the handicapper.
As a two-year-old, the John and Thady Gosden-trained son of Kingman didn't live up to expectations, with his four races yielding four defeats.
It wasn't a massive surprise, therefore, to see Fifth Column undergo a gelding operation before he marked his comeback from a 158-day lay-off by getting his head in front in a one-mile Kempton Park maiden at the beginning of April.
Given a British Horseracing Authority mark of 86, my selection made his debut in the sphere in the Esher Cup at Sandown Park 18 days later and proved ahead of that assessment with a three-quarter-length beating of Seraph Gabriel.
There's still a way to go before Fifth Column, equipped with cheekpieces, gets to the bottom of the barrel and a 6lb rise in the weights doesn't look out of reach. In a race where the bookies are struggling to find a favourite, Consolidation, Teroomm, Fearnot and God Of War are all viable candidates.
NEWSBOY'S 1-2-3: 1 FIFTH COLUMN, 2 TEROOMM, 3 GOD OF WAR
5.35 Hampton Court Stakes
JACKKNIFE lost his unbeaten record in unfortunate circumstances at Sandown Park three weeks ago and shouldn't be written off.
Absent from the track at two, the Kameko-sired colt was given his introduction in a nine-runner novice stakes at Epsom in April, getting the better of favourite The King's Falcon by a neck.
That form is unexceptional but Jackknife emerged with plenty of credit despite finding every bit of trouble going in the Listed Heron Stakes over a mile on the Brigadier Gerard Stakes undercard last time out.
Racing towards the far rail in the straight, Oisín Murphy couldn't find daylight on his Roger Varian-saddled partner until the race was as good as over.
With winner Opera Ballo in the clear, Jackknife kept on into third under a hand ride and looks capable of much better over this additional two furlongs. Detain (third) and Trinity College (fourth) have their sights lowered after running well in the Prix du Jockey Club and have claims, along with High Stock.
NEWSBOY'S 1-2-3: 1 JACKKNIFE, 2 TRINITY COLLEGE, 3 HIGH STOCK
6.10 Buckingham Palace Stakes
RAMAZAN needs to leave this season's form way behind to figure, but is capable of doing exactly that.
Richard Fahey's five-year-old will win nothing if repeating his 'achievements' of 2025, a sixth at Musselburgh and a last-of-10 effort at Haydock Park in April and a hefty defeat - he blew the start before coming home 11th of 16 behind Rousing Encore - at York last month.
But the plus side is that the British Horseracing Authority number cruncher has taken a losing run stretching back to August 2023 into account.
Victorious from a rating of 98 at Chepstow for his latest win - Razaman finished a head second in the Victoria Cup over this course and distance from 105 in May of last year - he now competes from a figure of 96.
That makes him a well-handicapped horse, and Fahey's booking of rising star 5lb claimer Warren Fentiman is another plus. In a finale of many possible outcomes, Never So Brave, Akkadian Thunder and Fifty Nifty merit a second look.
NEWSBOY'S 1-2-3: 1 RAMAZAN: 2 NEVER SO BRAVE, 3 FIFTY NIFTY
FREE £2 William Hill Shop Bets every day of Royal Ascot inside your Mirror
We've teamed up with racing experts William Hill to offer your a £2 FREE shop bet every day of the iconic Royal Ascot festival. Pick up your Mirror from Tuesday June 17 -> Saturday June 21, 2025 to get your hands on this great offer. With 12 pages of incredible pullouts every day, PLUS a £2 shop bet, the Mirror is ready to bring you all the runners, riders, and winners of Ascot 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
15 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Alan Shearer TEARS into Newcastle as he offers scathing verdict on the club and their transfer window - and names the two stars they should sign if £150m Alexander Isak joins Liverpool
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has hit out at the club over their approach to this summer's transfer window. The Magpies have endured a disappointing summer having been rejected by the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Joao Pedro, Matheus Cunha, Marc Guehi and James Trafford. Benjamin Sesko added to the list last week when he opted to join Manchester United from RB Leipzig instead. Meanwhile, Newcastle's all-time record signing Alexander Isak's future remains in the air with the wantaway striker attempting to force through a move to Premier League champions Liverpool. Shearer has delivered a sctahing verdict on his former club, writing in his BBC Sport column: 'So far, Newcastle's pre-season has been a nightmare. There is no other way of describing it. 'They have had a disastrous transfer window, missing out on every one of their top targets they went for, and on top of that they have got Alexander Isak's situation hanging over them as they get ready for the opening weekend.' He added: 'Newcastle went into the summer with no chief executive or sporting director, which I find amazing. They knew Darren Eales was stepping down as chief executive last September - 11 months ago - and Paul Mitchell left as sporting director at the end of June. 'I don't know why they haven't appointed anyone yet or if that has hindered them in the transfer market, because I am not inside the club, but from the outside it is not a good look. 'It's a mess, and it begs the question about who has making the big decisions.' Newcastle are keen on Brentford striker Yoane Wissa to fill the potential void left by Isak, with Daily Mail Sport revealing last week that a deal is expected to happen. Ollie Watkins is also among the club's potential targets, and Alan Shearer believes bringing in both the Aston Villa forward and Wissa would represent good business for Newcastle. Sherer wrote: 'If they are available, Brentford's Yoane Wissa and Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins are proven Premier League strikers and probably the best-case scenario from Newcastle's point of view. 'At the same time, I appreciate fans of those clubs won't like their centre-forwards being linked with moves away, the same way Newcastle supporters feel right now. 'Wissa's situation, in particular, sounds very similar to Isak's. It just shows you that this is something that happens in football all the time, and of course it is frustrating when you are on the wrong end of it.' Newcastle have added to their squad with the signings of Anthony Elanga, Aaron Ramsdale and Antonito Cordero. AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw is also on the verge of joining after the clubs agreed a package of around £34.3m Newcastle will open their Premier League campaign with a trip to Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.
BBC News
18 hours ago
- BBC News
Newcastle's 'nightmare' - how can they resolve Isak and rescue their transfer window?
So far, Newcastle's pre-season has been a nightmare. There is no other way of describing have had a disastrous transfer window, missing out on every one of their top targets they went for, and on top of that they have got Alexander Isak's situation hanging over them as they get ready for the opening way or another they have to resolve it, but that won't be easy. Isak clearly wants to leave St James' Park and join Liverpool, but he cannot be sold if they don't get anyone in to replace not just one new striker Newcastle need, either. Callum Wilson moved on earlier in the summer so the reality is that if they don't get two centre-forwards in, Isak does not go is still a possible scenario and, if he is still at Newcastle when the window closes at the start of September, things get interesting because he will want to play - he could be playing for his World Cup place with Sweden at next summer's are a lot of ifs, buts and maybes surrounding Isak at the moment, but over the next two or three weeks we will find out a lot more about how things could pan the moment, though, Newcastle's priority is Saturday and their trip to Aston Villa. I feel for manager Eddie Howe and the rest of the players who are having to deal with all the noise around this when it is not their fault, and Isak is not going to be with them for that game - which is really disappointing. 'Liverpool are never going to get Isak for £110m' This summer should have been a time for Newcastle to really kick on after last season, following the highs of claiming their first domestic trophy for 70 years and then qualifying for the Champions League.I don't know how or why it has been allowed to happen, but right now it feels like much of that momentum has been went into the summer with no chief executive or sporting director, which I find amazing. They knew Darren Eales was stepping down as chief executive last September - 11 months ago - and Paul Mitchell left as sporting director at the end of June.I don't know why they haven't appointed anyone yet or if that has hindered them in the transfer market, because I am not inside the club, but from the outside it is not a good look. It's a mess, and it begs the question about who has making the big they have to deal with Isak as well. There are two sides to every story and we haven't heard from Isak yet, or anyone inside his camp, other than him saying he wants to explore his don't know when he told the club that, how he told them, or what his feelings are about exactly why he wants out. What we do know is that Liverpool have offered £110m for recent years we have seen Enzo Fernandez, Declan Rice and Jack Grealish go for around £100m so, if that is the bar, they are never going to get Isak - a 25-year-old striker who has scored 44 Premier League goals across the past two seasons - for £110m. I don't think you'd get Dan Burn for that, to be have named their price, which is nearer to £150m, so we will have to see what Liverpool do next. The top and bottom of it is that if Newcastle don't get the money they want, or the two strikers they need, then Isak stays. Why Wissa and Watkins would be a good fit I am not angry about the way Isak has behaved, because I know how football works. I'm disappointed and surprised that this is happening now, but I have been in the game long enough to understand why we have got to this seems obvious that Liverpool have got into him, or his agent, to turn his head and make him want to go there. From a players' perspective, rather than a fan, I get the mentality where he has made his mind up about what is best for his future it is the club that matters most here and, whatever happens next, the crux of the matter is that Newcastle United are far bigger than any one individual - it always has been, and always will move on all the time, and do what they have to do, but the club is always there. That's the one constant, every Newcastle have to look after themselves, which means that if they are contemplating letting Isak go for whatever price they want for him, then they also need to get two strikers they want in before they can do they are available, Brentford's Yoane Wissa and Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins are proven Premier League strikers and probably the best-case scenario from Newcastle's point of the same time, I appreciate fans of those clubs won't like their centre-forwards being linked with moves away, the same way Newcastle supporters feel right situation, in particular, sounds very similar to Isak's. It just shows you that this is something that happens in football all the time, and of course it is frustrating when you are on the wrong end of it. How will other new strikers settle in? It is very difficult to predict what Newcastle's season could look like until Isak's future is sorted out, but it could still be a very good have got one of, if not the best, midfields in the country, they are really strong in wide areas and it looks like they are signing another centre-half in AC Milan's Malick looking at the bigger picture, whether Isak stays or goes and they can bring two quality strikers in, they have still got a very good so, I am still not sure they would be able to improve on last season's fifth-place finish. Last season's top four have done so much good business and gone so big in the transfer market, it is going to be extremely difficult for any of the chasing pack to break into those places, not just terms of the title I see Liverpool as favourites, even without Isak. You just have to look at what they did last season, and how they won the title at a have seen Trent Alexander-Arnold leave, and tragically lost Diogo Jota, but have spent heavily to strengthen their squad and won't be distracted by having any stars coming to the end of their contract. Who knows what they might do under Arne Slot if they got another forward as good as Isak is, finally have an out-and-out striker in Viktor Gyokeres and will believe that, after three successive second places, he can get them over the line in a title race. Their top scorer in the Premier League last season was Kai Havertz with nine goals, so that tells you what they have been Gyokeres fits in is one of the things I am really looking forward to finding out in the new campaign, and it is the same with other strikers at new clubs, like Liam Delap and Joao Pedro at Chelsea. I don't think they are finished yet in the transfer market, and their attack is already looking a lot more dangerous than last same applies with how Benjamin Sesko settles in at Manchester United. I was disappointed that he chose to go there over Newcastle, but at the same time I saw him live several times last season and he is a player with potential, rather than offering guaranteed goals.I see what Sesko's strengths are, but £74m is a lot of money for a player with room for improvement. At 22 he is no way the finished article, but there will still be big pressure on him to Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, Manchester United have spent more than £200m on their forward line, but I still don't see them getting in next season's top four.I think it's almost impossible for them to go from 15th to the Champions League places, even if fifth place is good enough again. Instead I have them finishing anywhere between sixth and 10th, but no Shearer was speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.
Daily Mirror
19 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Newsboy's racing tips for Tuesday's three meetings, including Lingfield nap
Lingfield Park hosts a six-race all-weather card on Tuesday where Newsboy's Nap, Bint Mohaather, is fancied to win the 3.00 (Image: Getty Images) BINT MOHAATHER (3.00, Nap) has done little wrong in her three starts and looks the ideal pick in the Free Digital Racecard At Handicap over seven furlongs at Lingfield Park today. After running on with promise when fifth on her sole outing as a juvenile last September at Chelmsford City, the daughter of Mohaather returned in a Wolverhampton maiden in June and romped to victory by a very cosy four and a half lengths over today's trip. Jack Channon then took her to Doncaster 33 days ago for her debut on turf over six furlongs, and having been hampered at a crucial stage, ran on late to finish third, a length and a half behind Mystical Storm. That trip was possibly on the sharp side and so returning to her ideal distance, the three-year-old can score a first handicap success. At Carlisle, PROMISE TIME (2.45, nb) can bounce back in the six-furlong Handicap after running without the handbrake on at Doncaster 19 days ago. Nigel Tinkler's three-year-old showed considerable improvement prior to that, however, winning over course and distance in May and then followed up over an extra furlong at Town Moor, with an extra 9lb to carry. The Time Test gelding looks well treated here. Tuesday's selections CARLISLE 2.15 MIGHTY MAGNUS 2.45 PROMISE TIME (NB) 3.15 MARBUZET 3.50 ICE SOVEREIGNS 4.25 GORGEOUS MR GEORGE 5.00 HOMELAND LINGFIELD PARK 2.30 TASKHEER 3.00 BINT MOHAATHER (NAP) 3.32 BAILEYS ONTHEROCKS 4.07 CHARMING PRINCESS 4.42 FOINIX 5.17 CLIPSHAM NOBLE HAMILTON PARK 5.40 HAPPIER 6.10 STOIC POET 6.40 GOLDEN HORSE 7.10 NOBLE HORIZON 7.40 ABERAMA GOLD 8.10 LADY PHOEBE 8.40 TEMPER TRAP DOUBLE: BINT MOHAATHER and PROMISE TIME
