Dave Nevison's Royal Ascot tips: four selections on day five

Bookies will be desperate to have a good day on what is traditionally a day of punishment for the punters on the Ascot Saturday.

However, it looks very possible that results could go punters way once more. I am keeping my fingers crossed that injudicious watering doesn’t throw things into confusion and hoping these four fancied runners all go well.

Rebel’s Romance has been a globetrotting money spinner for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin, but it was possible to make the case that he had been “pot hunting” for a couple of years and at seven years old he might not be up to winning a prize at this level in the UK.

There was also a slight stamina doubt when he returned in the Yorkshire Cup in May, but he answered both questions by winning in his usual determined, game style and this year’s Hardwicke looks another ideal opportunity to score.

Back to his preferred trip with a good draw and conditions that suit him well, he looks the solid option. 

According to Timeform, this horse put up his best ever performance when winning the Group Two Duke of York on his reappearance, achieving a rating just a pound higher than when he won this race last year.

It is very simplistic reading of the form but if he was good enough 12 months ago then he is surely worth a bet this time if he is still on the upgrade. Added to that, he looks to have fared well with a high draw in stall 13, while the York runner-up may not have done as well in stall 4.

His main rivals look like being the crack Japanese sprinter Satono Reve and French challenger Lazzat, but the Brits have been pretty good at seeing off the international challenge and Inisherin will hopefully be up to it.

Given the results this week, most of us would have been better off just writing 'FAV' on our betting slip rather than trying to be too clever and find the bigger priced upset.

However, I napped More Thunder when he won his second Newmarket handicap and, even though it was very close at the line, I was always confident Tom Marquand was going to get him home. Straight away I knew the ex Sir Michael Stoute-trained horse  would be favourite for the Wokingham and, provided he got a decent draw, I was going to get involved.

Based on results up to Thursday, the now Haggas-trained colt has done well with the draw in stall 23 and has subsequently shortened up even further.

He could well get even tighter in the betting, but this stiffer 6f will suit him perfectly and he looks another very strong handicap favourite.   

Samui will by no means the first horse to go well in a handicap on Tuesday and then turn up with a real chance in this traditional ultra marathon that brings the curtain down on the meeting.

He ran a cracker to finish third in the Copper Horse Handicap, staying on really well and looking as though this extreme test could well be within range of his stamina.

Colin Keane, who was excellent earlier in the week, keeps the ride, and it is difficult to see him not judging this ride correctly and preserving Samui’s stamina for the finish.