ROYAL ASCOT TIPS – DAY FIVE: A fully-fit One Master will challenge for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes

There are slight concerns that One Master may not be ready and raring to go after an eight-month absence, but anything close to full fitness will mean she will challenge for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes on Saturday.

She is well suited to the venue, having placed in last season’s Queen Anne Stakes and finished runner-up in last autumn’s Champion Sprint.   

Our team of experts dish out their selections below…

12.40 – SILVER WOKINGHAM H’CAP  

APLOMB enjoyed a nice prep run for this race on unsuitably fast ground at Newmarket earlier this month and should appreciate the return to Ascot and six furlongs. This race appears much more suitable for a horse which was narrowly beaten by Tinto in a strong time over course and distance last autumn. He looks nicely drawn in 13 and handicapped to post a big display. Blue Mist is another to consider given he has form over further than six furlongs which is often handy on this straight course. He ran a blinder in a Heritage handicap over 7f here last summer and should be finishing his race off strongly.

Selection: APLOMB Danger: BLUE MIST

1.15 QUEEN MARY STAKES

It has to be taken on trust that MORE BEAUTIFUL will handle the underfoot conditions. However, she created such an impression at Naas on debut that it could be a chance worth taking. A half-sister to Guineas winner Saxon Warrior (won on soft as a two-year-old), the selection powered to victory on debut, clocking a very quick time. She looks the best filly in this field providing the ground doesn’t negate her quality. Both Campanelle and Sacred are feared, especially if a low draw is favoured, while Pelekai could outrun her odds from that side of the track.

Selection: MORE BEAUTIFUL Danger: PELEKAI

1.50 COVENTRY STAKES

There was no doubting the class and ability QAADER displayed on his Newbury debut and, although his effectiveness on easy ground is yet to be confirmed, he remains a colt capable of winning at the highest level. It was encouraging to see the third home from his debut effort win emphatically at Goodwood to enhance the form and there looks to be plenty of improvement to come given he showed signs of inexperience. In contrast, Admiral Nelson was very professional at the Curragh and rates a danger, while both John Gosden runners, Existent and Saeiqa, look overpriced.

Best bet: QAADER Danger: SAEIQA  

2.25 CORONATION STAKES

It is remarkable that SO WONDERFUL is yet to win a race in nine career starts. However, there is no doubting that she gives her best and there was again evidence of her undoubted talent in the Irish Guineas last week when she finished a creditable third to stablemate Peaceful. Admittedly, she needs to win a race to dispel the myth she is a thinker but where better than an Ascot Group One. Quadrilateral, a minor disappointment when third in the 1,000 Guineas, should find conditions to her liking if she settles better and it seems a little early to be dismissing her. 

Selection: SO WONDERFUL Danger: QUADRILATERAL

3.00 ST JAMES’S PALACE STAKES

The previously unbeaten PINATUBO may have disappointed his legions of fans in the 2,000 Guineas but it could be premature to write him off as a potential champion. Admittedly, third place in the first Classic of the season wouldn’t have been the position connections would have chosen but the selection was only beaten 1¼l after appearing to be right in the mix at the furlong marker. Notoriously lazy at home, Pinatubo may have been slightly undercooked at HQ and we may see a sharper model a fortnight later. Wichita reversed last year’s Dewhurst running (beaten 4¾l) at Newmarket and may do so again, while his run at Doncaster last September behind Molatham was handed a boost on Thursday. It is a coin toss between the two but Pinatubo winning last year’s Chesham Stakes here on the straight track swings the vote in his favour.

Selection: PINATUBO Danger: WICHITA

3.35 DIAMOND JUBILEE STAKES

There is a slight concern ONE MASTER may not be cherry ripe following an eight-month absence but if she is anywhere near full fitness this race could set up nicely for her. Placed in last season’s Queen Anne Stakes after fading late on, the selection was also runner-up in the Champion Sprint last autumn to show she is suited to today’s venue. With plenty of pace around her, One Master should gain a good tow into the race and is a very fair each-way bet for a yard whose horses have run well all week. Hello Youmzain, third in the Commonwealth Cup 12 months ago, is just one of a host of dangers. 

Best bet: ONE MASTER Danger: HELLO YOUMZAIN

4.10 WOKINGHAM STAKES

The ability to stay seven furlongs and act well with cut in the ground could be two major attributes here so SUMMERGHAND is the pick in a typically open race. David O’Meara is rarely too far away in races of this nature and the six-year-old was an honourable fifth in this race last year. He was fourth in the Stewards’ Cup and Ayr Gold Cup before running a blinder over an extra furlong in a warm Ascot handicap. His recent effort behind Tinto was a fine comeback and he should go well from a middle draw. Bielsa adores soft ground and there is plenty of pace to aid his chance.

Best bet: SUMMERGHAND Danger: BIELSA

4.40 QUEEN ALEXANDRA STAKES

Trainer Ian Williams landed the staying handicap at this meeting last year with THE GRAND VISIR and the son of Frankel appears to have been readied for a tilt at this finale. Although not seen since a spin over hurdles back in October, the selection has won off a lengthy absence before and he is reunited with Richard Kingscote who partnered him to victory 12 months ago. Who Dares Wins, third in the 2017 Ascot Stakes on his previous run at the track, has been to more festivals than Ed Sheeran and his trainer lifted the long-distance handicap earlier this week.

Best bet: THE GRAND VISIR Danger: WHO DARES WINS

Newmarket – 3.00 Pinatubo (nap); 3.35 One Master (nb).

Northerner – 1.50 Qaader (nb); 4.10 Bielsa (nap).