My Royal Ascot tips include a hugely promising runner who's been a revelation for his top trainer
YOU might think it's rare for a horse to have run a lot further than six furlongs to land the Wokingham Handicap.
But if you did you'd be wrong.
1
That will give MORE THUNDER (5.00) supporters plenty of hope as he goes for a hat-trick in Saturday afternoon's cavalry charge.
More Thunder has been a revelation this season for William Haggas, landing two sprint handicaps with last-gasp thrusts.
Last term he was in the hands of Sir Michael Stoute when he raced as far as an extended mile and a quarter.
Cape Byron, Bacchus and Baccarat are just three fairly recent Wokingham victors who had tried distances way beyond the distance they were going at Royal Ascot.
Cape Byron ran a couple of times over a mile and a furlong, and was once down the field in a Hunt Cup.
Bacchus went a mile in a nursery at Newmarket in his younger days, while Baccarat once went a mile at Ayr.
More Thunder is untried on very fast ground, but he will be flying home off the strong gallop and may well get up under Tom Marquand and do what My Cloud did in the Wokingham.
So we have made it. It's the final day of Royal Ascot 2025 and all seven sweltering races are once again on ITV.
The action kicks off with the Listed Chesham Stakes for juvenile colts and geldings over 7f.
Many with much potential and improvement.
TREANMOR cost 2,000,000 euros as a son of Frankel and looked very useful on debut at Newmarket when traveling strongly and hacking up by four lengths.
The runner-up has been beaten since, but Treanmor was backed as if defeat was impossible.
He obviously should go well and William Buick rides for Charlie Appleby.
The Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes is for older horses over 1m4f.
Kalpana wasn't declared due to the fast ground so this really should be at the mercy of REBEL'S ROMANCE (3.05) who loves a hard surface, and banged in the Breeders' Cup Turf on firm at Del Mar in November.
The latter is a globetrotting superstar for Godolphin and can land this again for Buick and Appleby.
He's just bombproof in these events and was a fine third here to Goliath in the King George.
Today's big Group 1 is the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over 6f.
Another wide open sprint this week.
TOPGEAR (3.40) has never encountered ground like this and of course he might hate it.
There is also a chance Topgear is better at 7f than 6f.
That all said, on ability the French, Christopher Head-trained raider is right in the mix and his Challenge Stakes victory at Newmarket was a very decent one.
My selection returned with success at Longchamp this season and if able to go the gallop will finish stronger than most. An each-way chance.
Next a Group 3 for three-year-olds in the Jersey Stakes over 7f. Really tricky to sort this lot out!
CALIFORNIA DREAMER (4.20) might go well for Amo Racing and David Egan.
The Adrian Murray-trained Irish raider was an excellent second to Lake Victoria in the Irish 1000 Guineas when last seen and a drop back to 7f should be beneficial.
She was a fine fifth here in the Albany on fast ground last season so she really should get in the mix and has strong each-way claims.
Another handicap in the Golden Gates for three-year-olds over 1m2f comes next.
And there could be another one for Wathnan here with French raider BEST SECRET (5.35).
He's another that it's impossible to know whether he will act on a fast surface, but he's lightly raced and has been impressive in two victories at Saint-Cloud and Longchamp.
James Doyle is on top and a handicap mark of 95 looks very fare. Stall 5 should not be the difference between winning losing.
Royal Ascot 2025 draws to a close with the Queen Alexandra Stakes marathon over an extended 2m5f.
Sober could easily hack up for Willie Mullins but SAMUI (6.10) was a fine third in the Copper Horse on Tuesday and he will be well suited by the extra distance.
He can just lob around under Colin Keane and hopefully power clear in the closing stages.
What a week it's been. I hope you have enjoyed all the sport.
Royal Ascot is just always special.
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
34 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Royal Ascot tips: ‘He'll power home like the class act he is' – Templegate's bullish 3-1 NAP on day five
TEMPLEGATE'S TIPS Royal Ascot tips: 'He'll power home like the class act he is' – Templegate's bullish 3-1 NAP on day five TEMPLEGATE takes on Saturday's racing from Royal Ascot confident of bashing the bookies. Back a horse by clicking their odds below - and bag yourself some of our best free bet offers. ROYAL ASCOT - Best betting offers and new sign-up deals SERAPH GABRIEL (5.35 Royal Ascot, nap) He got off the mark at Lingfield on his second run before finishing his juvenile campaign with a short-head second in good company at Redcar. Trainer Ralph Beckett brought him back for his handicap debut in the competitive Esher Cup at Sandown in late April. He looked well and travelled sweetly before just being edged out in the closing stages. That was over a mile and he gives the strong impression that this longer trip will be ideal. ARAMRAM (5.00 Royal Ascot, nb) He has looked better than ever this season and followed to fine Newmarket seconds with a cosy win at Newbury last time. The official margin was a length but he was coasting in the closing stages and could have made it a lot more. The handicapper has been more than fair with a 4lb rise in the weights and the booking of Moore for Richard Hannon's flyer is the cherry on top. MOMENTS OF JOY (2.30 Royal Ascot, treble) 'The Lads' of Ballydoyle have been hoovering up the juvenile races all week and can add the Chesham to their tally. This Justify colt took the Leopardstown maiden as last year's winner Bedtime Story last time. FEATURE OFFER - MIDNITE Royal Ascot: Get £20 in free bets and 50 free spins HERE* *18+ New UK customers. Bet £10 on accas with 4+ legs, min odds 3/1 (4.0). Get 4x £5 Free Bets and 50 Free Spins, valid for 7 days on selected bets and games only. T&Cs apply. Templegate's tips FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
The Sun
34 minutes ago
- The Sun
‘Looks like a Wetherspoons plate' slam bemused Reading fans as new football kit is unveiled
FOOTIE fans say their team's new home shirt is driving them pottery — because it looks like a Wetherspoon pub plate. League One club Reading unveiled its kit for the 2025/26 season to the bemusement of some supporters yesterday. 3 3 The traditional blue hoops with a white background on the jersey now have a swirly pattern. It is meant to resemble a biscuit tin in a nod to the Berkshire town's rich trade in the snacks. The club was previously nicknamed The Biscuitmen before becoming known as The Royals. But some smart cookies online say it looks more like the crockery from the popular pub chain. The price takes the biscuit as well, with the adults kit costing £103 altogether — £58 for the top, £30 for shorts and £15 for socks. For children, it is £48, £25, and £15 respectively — a total of £88. But supporters of the club, founded in 1871, seemed to be more concerned about the look of the shirts — modelled on Instagram by new signing Paudie O'Connor and by supporters in a club video. One fan online quipped: 'Looks like a Wetherspoons plate.' Another agreed: 'Wetherspoons plate kit.' A third said: 'We don't want to look like biscuits tins…not my cup of tea.' Royals fan Matt Wilkinson commented: 'Let's hope we can do our talking on the pitch in this kit — rather than being mocked off of it for looking like a dog's dinner — served on a Spoons' plate.' One football fan added: 'Looks like my nan's wallpaper in the 70s.' Others said the jersey resembled a festive sweater, with one quipping: 'What in the Christmas kit is this?' But in a jokey reference to classier tablewear collections, Tom argued: 'If some trendy team like Venezia or Versailles came out with this, it would be lauded as one of the best shirts of the season. I think it's spectacular!'
The Independent
35 minutes ago
- The Independent
Nicolas Jackson apologises for sending off against Flamengo
Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has apologised for his red card in the 3-1 Club World Cup loss to Flamengo. The 24-year-old was sent off for raking his studs down the shin of Lucas Ayrton just four minutes after coming on as Enzo Maresca's side collapsed in the second half. 'I want to say sorry. To the club, the staff, my team-mates, and all the fans watching, I let you down,' said Jackson, who was sent off against Newcastle in their third-last Premier League match. 'Another red card… And honestly, I'm so angry at myself. I work hard every day to help the team not to put us in this kind of situation. 'I still don't fully understand how it happened. But one thing is clear: it wasn't intentional. Just a moment in football that went the wrong way. 'No excuses. I take full responsibility. I'll reflect, I'll grow, and I'll come back stronger for the badge and for everyone who believes in me. 'Sorry. Sorry, Sorry.' When Maresca was asked about Jackson's challenge and his recent indiscipline he told DAZN: 'It was a red card, so nothing to say.' However, Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella admitted it was something the 24-year-old had to improve. 'He is young player, he has a lot of quality, he maybe needs to improve this a little bit. We are here to improve, we are not perfect so it is part of the game,' he said. The Blues were leading through Pedro Neto's 13th-minute strike but after second-half goals from Bruno Henrique and Danilo in quick succession Jackson saw red and Wallace Yan scored the Brazil side's third. Maresca put the damaging defeat down to 'trying something new' for next season. 'It completely changed the game. Unfortunately we conceded two goals in a short moment and then the red card and then I think it is complicated to get back into the game,' the Chelsea boss added. 'We tried – but congratulations to them. They deserved to win. 'We tried to do something different in the game, for next season and for the future.'
