Five horses to follow at Royal Ascot on Saturday

Race: Norfolk Stakes (2.30).

Tipster: Ross Millar

Best odds:  16-1

Star Prospect beat the favourite for this race on his debut at The Curragh in convincing fashion.

Yet he's available at 16-1 here, that will partly be down to his draw in stall seven when high draws have had the advantage this week, though things could change on the final day.

But mostly it will be because of a sub-par run last time when beaten at Naas when an odds-on favourite.

There were excuses for that defeat; the slow early pace meant he pulled hard and was then trying to quicken into an already quickening pace. This will be run at an altogether stronger pace and he will be seen to far better effect.

At an even bigger price, Social Symbol has each-way claims. He made a professional debut at Ripon when breaking well and showing good early speed before staying on well, the third placed horse has won since so the form looks solid.

The Crisfords and William Buick combined earlier in the week for a good result in the Queen Mary with Senorita Rumblita and can match that effort in the final juvenile race of the week.

Race: Hardwicke Stakes (3.05).

Tipster: Martin Dixon

Best odds:  5-1

The last time Goliath ran at Ascot, he caused a shock in the 2024 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes when easily beating Bluestocking and Rebel's Romance.

Although he hasn't bettered that since, he's had a great preparation coming back here this year, and I got the impression with how he travelled and quickened at Chantilly last time that he's thriving again. 

A strong pace suits him, and he should get that here. I also like his draw in stall 10 as Christophe Soumillon can be patient, and be able to sweep around them with a clear run up the straight. 

Race: Wokingham Stakes (3.40).

Tipster:  Dave Nevison

Best odds:  2-1

Overpass turns out again quickly after being beaten less than a length in the King Charles III Stakes on Tuesday. He is not really in the same league as this mare but is probably a good yardstick. 

Joliestar has already won four Group One sprints, which I think is as many as the entire field against her have won between them and some of her rivals will be trying to revive past glories. 

The Australians are just better than our sprinters on all evidence and she was in top form at Randwick before heading over here. 

The main danger is probably the Japanese runner, Satona Reve, who was beaten half a length in what I felt was a less competitive renewal last season.

Race: Wokingham Stakes (5.00).

Tipster:  Harry Allwood and also the RaceiQ nap

Best odds: 9-2 (advised 7-1 each-way at the start of the week).

Binhareer clocked some impressive RaceiQ data en route to a luckless second on his return at York in May, and a repeat of those figures would see him go close here, despite a 5lb higher mark. He will need things to fall right, though, as he appears reliant on gaining some cover, and he relished some cut in the ground when scoring at York last year, so may be at his best with some ease underfoot.

With that in mind, Double Rush looks the pick (not very original, I know) following his two impressive victories at Newmarket this season. 

The four-year-old has looked a different performer since joining Andrew Balding this season and hinted he’s a potential Group performer in a handicap on his return when recording the best RaceiQ Time Index on the card. It was also noteworthy he was sent off the well-supported favourite there plus recorded another dominant victory over the same course and distance when 8lb well in under a penalty next time out.

Now rated 105, this will surely be his final start in a handicap, and connections have mentioned the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai July Cup as a potential target this season, so ought to be going close here if he is a genuine Group One contender.

One slight niggle is he disappointed on his only outing at Ascot last year, but that was at the end of a long season, and I'm willing to forgive that effort. 

Fast ground will suit, and he looks the standout.

Race: Golden Gates Stakes (5.35).

Tipster: The Data Detective (Andy Stephens)

Best odds: 11-2 

The London Gold Cup at Newbury nearly always represents strong form, with its roll of honour including Al Kazeem, Cannock Chase, Time Test, Defoe, Headman and Bay Bridge. 

This year’s edition also looked up to scratch, with Lost Boys and Sahara King dominating the closing stages. The pair were purchased by Wathnan afterwards (as was the third home), with the latter fancied to turn the tables.

RaceiQ’s draw data suggested Lost Boys, in stall 2, had an instant 0.44 length advantage before the gates had opened and that transpired as Sahara King had little option but to settle in rear from his unfavourable high draw. 

To compound matters, Sahara King also had to challenge wide but the acceleration he showed in the eighth furlong (only horse to dip under 11sec) and ninth furlong (11.24sec, which was 0.3sec quicker than anything else) swept him to the front. He hit 41.19mph, the highest speed any horse reached over the two-day meting at Newbury.

Lost Boys managed to edge him out after being marginally quicker in the final furlong, though the result was only confirmed after a stewards’ enquiry.

Sahara King's high draw is favourable on this occasion; cheekpieces are added and he's the choice of James Doyle out iof the Wathnan runners.