Royal Ascot betting preview 2025: Tips and predictions for all days of racing

When it comes to big occasions on the Flat racing calendar few can come close to matching Royal Ascot. 

The meeting starts with a bang in the Queen Anne Stakes, and there is no let up after that with each and every contest after the Group One curtain raiser looking just as competitive. 

With that in mind it means there should be plenty of value to be had, especially in the big field handicaps and several of the two year-old races.

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Royal Ascot 2025: Day One

Just like at the Cheltenham Festival, day one is often the best day of action at Royal Ascot - with three Group One races supported by the Group Two Coventry Stakes. 

This year’s Queen Anne Stakes, which kick-starts the meeting, looks like a real up to scratch renewal of the race with no fewer than four previous Group One winners locking horns. 

Among them is Rosallion, who was triumphant at the meeting 12 months ago in the St James’s Palace Stakes, and last year’s 2000 Guineas winner Notable Speech. 

If that wasn’t enough, then things get even tastier when this year’s English, Irish and French 2000 Guineas winners all meet up for a titanic tussle in the St James’s Palace Stakes, to determine who is the leading miler of their generation. 

And for those that have a penchant for speed, then look no further than the King Charles III Stakes over five furlongs, where Australian raider Asfoora will be trying to defend her crown.

FIRST’s top tip: Rosallion in the Queen Anne Stakes - 11/4 (Betfred)

Rosallion might have tasted defeat on his comeback in last month’s Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, but with that run under his belt he can now open his account for the year. 

Having travelled well for most of his comeback run, the Richard Hannon-trained eventually finished third behind Lead Artist, who had the benefit of a run on that occasion. 

Last year Rosallion tasted defeat in the 2000 Guineas before going on to strike in the St James’s Palace Stakes, and having blown the cobwebs away last month, he can turn the tables on Lead Artist and secure Group One win number three. 

Extra tips

Roger Varian earmarked the Wolferton Stakes as a target for Enfjaar this season and he looks primed to put up a bold bid. 

Although he finished fifth on his comeback in the Group Three Brigadier Gerard Stakes that was a perfectly satisfactory return given he had this race in mind. 

Classic winning handler Varian has won the race twice since 2020, and he looks to have another excellent contender here who will now be cherry-ripe. 

Enfjaar to win the Wolferton Stakes - 4/1 (Ladbrokes) 

Those wanting something at a tastier price could do worse than taking a chance on Bucanero Fuerte in the King Charles III Stakes. 

Despite failing to fire at stud, he showed the fire still burns brightly with a Listed success at Naas last month. 

He was a Group One winner at two, along with finishing third in the 2023 Coventry Stakes, and with that effort fresh in the mind he looks a tad overpriced to reach the frame here. 

Bucanero Fuerte each-way in the King Charles III Stakes, four places - 20/1 (Ladbrokes) 

Learn: How to bet on horse racing online 

Royal Ascot 2025: Day Two

There might only be one Group One gracing the second day of the meeting, but this year’s Prince Of Wales’s Stakes looks to be a belter of a race. 

An intriguing race was made all the more interesting with connections deciding to supplement impressive Middleton Stakes winner See The Fire. 

Outside of the feature race it is all about the fillies with the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes, Queen Mary Stakes and Kensington Palace Stakes proving worthy support contests. 

FIRST’S top tip: Ombudsman to win the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes - 11/2 (Ladbrokes)

Ombudsman surrendered his unbeaten record when finishing second his annual return in the Group Three Brigadier Gerard Stakes, but it was a run full of promise. 

At one stage he looked like going through with his challenge, until race fitness just told late on.

Having been campaigned quietly last year, he is exactly the type to excel this season for John and Thady Gosden, who opted for this over the Listed Wolverton Stakes. 

Although he has work to do on ratings he could quite easily make that jump having only had the five runs. 

Extra Tips

Sky Safari has proven a tad keen in her two races to date this season, but that has not stopped her from winning and finishing second. 

The switch to a big field handicap could just be what she wants, as they will be going that bit faster which should help her settle better. 

Off a light weight the James Fanshawe-trained four year-old looks capable of reaching the frame at the very least. 

Sky Safari each way in the Kensington Palace Stakes, four places - 9/1 (Betfred) 

Spicy Marg was all the rage on her debut at Newmarket which she duly backed up with a taking success. 

The Michael Bell-trained filly was on course to go the Marygate Stakes at York, but she wasn’t quite right in the build-up. 

Now back and firing on all cylinders, the daughter of Starspangledbanner could represent a bit of value here against favourite Zelaina. 

Spicy Marg each-way in the Queen Mary Stakes, four places - 12/1 (Coral)

Watch: Inside the yard with David Egan and Jane Chapple-Hyam

Royal Ascot 2025: Day Three

Staying power is the name of the game on day three of the meeting with the Ascot Gold Cup the top prize on offer. 

Although the race lost a little gloss following the retirement of dual winner Kyprios in the build-up, his talented stablemate Illinois could easily fill the void he has left. 

Some of the fastest two year olds in training will put their powers to the test in the Group Two Norfolk Stakes, while the Britannia Stakes and Buckingham Palace Stakes offer those that like a challenge to solve exactly that. 

FIRST’s top tip Sweet William to win the Ascot Gold Cup - 6/1 (Betway)

There is no doubt that Illinois will take plenty of beating should he see out the stamina-sapping two and a half mile trip, but there still remain question marks as to whether he will.

One horse who has stamina in abundance is Sweet William, who finished third in the race 12 months ago, with stablemate Trawlerman one place ahead in second. 

The John and Thady Gosden-trained gelding was only beaten a length into third over one mile six furlongs, which is a trip that is a tad on the short side for this stout stayer, on his return to action in the Yorkshire Cup at York. 

Stepping back up markedly in distance will help his chances, while a recent spin on Newmarket’s July Course suggests he is ready to land the big one. 

Extra tips

First Legion could only settle for second best in the Listed National Stakes at Sandown Park last time out, but he could represent value here. 

His debut over six furlongs at York was an impressive effort, however five furlongs appears to be a more suitable trip given the speed he possesses. 

He has been pleasing connections at home recently, and he looks to hold solid each-way claims here.

First Legion each-way in the Norfolk Stakes, three places, at 16/1 - (Coral)

Despite being down on numbers, trainer Saeed bin Suroor still has a tendency to find a Royal Ascot winner, which this year could come from Arabian Story in the Britannia Stakes. 

Although failing to feature on his first two starts, the son of Invincible Spirit got off the mark at Chelmsford City last time out to secure his slot here. 

And while that race hasn’t really worked out, it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise should he continue his progression on his turf debut under Oisin Murphy, who has a 29% strike rate when riding for the Newmarket handler. 

Arabian Story each-way in the Britannia Stakes, four places - 16/1 (Ladbrokes)

Want more tips? Check out Ted's Treble for the final day of Royal Ascot

Royal Ascot 2025: Day Four

As the meeting enters the home stretch there is no let-up in quality, with two more Group One races on offer. 

The Coronation Stakes has been a happy hunting ground from runners outside of Britain, with eight of the last 10 renewals going to either Irish or French-trained runners. 

Zariagana was awarded this year’s French 1000 Guineas in the stewards’ room, but she will bid to win without any additional assistance on this occasion. 

In the Commonwealth Cup, last year’s European champion two-year-old Shadow Of Light reverts back to sprinting, after finishing third on his first try over a mile in the 2000 Guineas. 

FIRST’S top tip Gold Digger to win the Albany Stakes - 6/1 (Betway)

There are a whole host of exciting fillies in this field that look to have bright futures ahead of them, but none more so than Gold Digger. 

The Richard Spencer-trained daughter of Starman barely had to get out of second gear to win on her debut at Yarmouth, which marked her out as above average. 

Three of the seven horses that finished behind her that day have since gone on to win which gives the form a solid look about it. 

Providing she takes in all the preliminaries well, expect a bold show. 

Extra tips

Falakeyah looked a star in the making when running away with the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes over a mile and a quarter on her first start this year. 

An outing in the French Oaks was touted, however she was forced to miss that race with a dirty scope leaving connections to revert her back to a mile here

The Owen Burrows-trained filly worked well enough at the end of last week to suggest she is now back on good terms with herself.

If she produces the kind of display we saw at Newmarket, she could be tough to peg back given her stamina for further is assured. 

Falakeyah to win the Coronation Stakes - 3/1 (Coral)

Class saw Zgharta get her head in front over 10 furlongs last time out at Newmarket when she appeared to be running on empty late on. 

The drop back to a stiff mile here looks a sensible move by connections, as she is now unlikely to be found wanting for stamina. 

Although she is yet to run on ground with firm in the going description, she won on good to firm ground in her younger days, which offers hopes she will be fine on it. 

Zgharta each-way in the Sandringham Stakes, four places - 16/1 (Ladbrokes)

Learn: What is Asian handicap betting?

Royal Ascot 2025: Day Five 

The last day of the meeting is a real mixed bag of goods from the Group One Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.

Plenty of future stars have taken their first big step towards stardom in the Listed Chesham Stakes, while the Wokingham is arguably the most competitive handicap of the entire meeting, meaning there really is a little bit of everything going on. 

FIRST’s top tip Aramram each-way, four places, in the Wokingham Stakes - 14/1 (Betfred)

With four seconds to his name at the start of this year there would have been a few questioning his resolve. 

However, those that doubted him saw those fears eased last time, with Ryan Moore steering the Richard Hannon-trained son of Blue Point to glory at Newbury last time out. 

The Classic winning rider is not one to throw comments around lightly, however he believed that the four year old could take the step up to Group race company sooner rather than later. 

If he is to make that step he will need to be winning, or go close here. However, he will have every chance to do that with Moore once again in the driving seat. 

Extra tips

Inisherin looked like he was going to have to settle for second best on his comeback at York, but he showed a willing resolve to get back up and score. 

That was his first run after a wind operation, and he is likely to take a considerable step forward given he had an interrupted preparation for his last assignment.

This will require another step forward with the likes of Japanese raider Satono Reve and French ace Lazzat in there, but there is plenty of reason to think he can continue progressing judging by his latest success. 

Inisherin to win the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes - 5/1 (Coral)

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