It’s that time of the year, the pinnacle of the flat season when we head to Ascot for a five day flat racing bonanza. For non horse racing fans, yes it’s the one with the funny hats.

With Epsom receiving negative press for poor racing and diminished crowds the hope is that the jewel in the flat racing crown can offer more of a spectacle.

In this article we will focus just on the best bets for the opening day.

For the best bookies for the festival we first recommend you check out our list of the best uk free bets here. This covers our preferred bookmakers to use in order of preference.

Remember if backing the tips below before Tuesday it will be considered an “antepost bet” so check your bookie rules for non-runners. As while you may get better odds betting in advance if your horse pulls out you can lose your stake completely without the horse even running.

On Tuesday 17th June we have a total of six races with 3 group 1’s, a group 2, a listed race and two class 2 handicaps. Not bad just for opening day.

Race 1 – 14:30 Queen Anne Stakes 1m

Firstly it’s the Queen Anne Stakes. Last year favourite Charyn won at 100/30. 4/5 of the last 5 renewals have been won by the favourite. The last 5 renewals have also been won by 4 year olds, and its not surprising to see the top 6 in the betting are all 4 year olds.

Current favourite is Rosallion at 3/1 for Richard Hannon, second favourite is Dancing Gemini for Roger Teal at 9/2. Third favourite is Lead Artist for Gosden at 11/2.  The Lockinge Stakes had these three in the first three but in reverse order with Lead Artist winning by a neck, Dancing Gemini 2nd and Rosallion third. Rosallion was well beaten that day, but it was his first run of the season and he took a keen early hold that day. Rosallion is the only course winner out of the top 3 also winning the St James Palace Stakes group 1 last year and the Pat Eddery Stakes in 2023.

While Rosallion had excuses the Lockinge Stakes has thrown up 12/18 of the the last winners of this race and at the odds of 11/2 Lead Artist feels the play as an each-way bet to nothing, with one of the top 3 likely to be the winner.

Tip: Lead Artist, 11/2, 1 point each-way.

Race 3: King Charles III Stakes – 5F

The King Charles III Stakes was won by five year old Asfoora last year at 5/1. Open to horses 3 years or older, but only one three year old has won in the last 7 renewals (Bradsell 2023). Incidentally 3 year old fave Big Evs lost last year in third at 11/4.

Not as obvious a race for punters and favourite backers with many non-favourites winning (4/5 of the last 5 renewals) and plenty of big priced horses at least placing.

Asfoora runs again at 7/1, can she do it again and win again? It’s certainly happened before with Blue Point in 2018/2019 and Sole Power 2013/2014. Believing is favourite at 11/2 who was back in fourth against Asfoora here last year, but hasn’t been out of the top 3 since and won a group 1 in meydan this season over 6f. Asfoora meanwhile has since been beaten by Big Evs and Bradsell and could only manage seventh in a group 1 in Australia on her latest run this season. Regional is third favourite but has been beaten by Asfoora in this last year and also recently was behind Believing at Meydan.

Flora of Bermuda is interesting at 20/1. On her sole run this season in a 6f group 2 she was just beaten a neck to inisherin and ran well at Ascot back in October finishing 3rd in a group 1. The Andrew Balding is certainly consistent and at the prices she rates a bet.

Tip: Flora of Bermuda, 20/1, 1 point each-way

Race 4: 16:20 St James Palace Stakes 7F

The last race we are going to look at is the St James Palace Stakes ran over 7 furlongs. Last years winner was Rosallion who now runs in the Queen Anne. The race tends to favour the favourites with the fave or the second fave winning in the last four renewals. So it makes sense to concentrate at the top of the market.

At the top of the market is Field of Gold, followed by Epsom non-runner Ruling Court. With Field of Gold priced at 1/1 and Ruling Court at 5/2.

Field of Gold won the Irish 2000 Guineas comfortably on his last outing. Meanwhile Ruling Court beat Field of Gold in the 2000 Guineas at newmarket with an astute Buick ride. It is this race that cost Shoemark his job as top jockey for Gosden. So with a jockey error costing Field of Gold the 2000 guineas it can be reasonably argued that Field of Gold is the better horse. That said Ruling court is a very good horse too, after Epsom we know Ruling court needs the ground good which is likely to be the case at Ascot with Good or Good to Firm predicted. Another spanner it the works is the A P O’Brien trained Henri Matisse at 5/1 who has won the last 3 on the bounce. It is difficult to see anyone outside this top 3 winning. The last 4 renewals have been won by the Irish or 2000 Guineas winners, the Irish Guineas seems the stronger predictor and given Field of Gold should really have won both he rates the pick.

Tip: Field of Gold, 1/1, 2 points to win

I hope you have a wonderful time following the Royal Ascot festival and if you would like to find a free bet to bet with, then check out our list of our favourite uk free bets here