Royal Ascot tips: Harry Allwood’s three best bets for Thursday

Race: 3.05pm -

Best odds: 10-1 (each-way).

This son of Fastnet Rock didn’t race as a two-year-old but has shown bundles of improvement on each outing in the space of just six weeks this season, and he looked potentially smart when bolting up at Chepstow on his latest effort. 

He beat the highly-regarded James Webb, as well as a number of other well-bred youngsters, with plenty to spare in that contest where he relished the step up to ten furlongs, and was staying on powerfully before being eased in the closing stages. That suggests an extra two furlongs here won’t be a problem, and the time he clocked, despite being eased down, was over four seconds quicker than the other 1m2f maiden on the same card. 

Gilded Water’s half-brother won a Group One over two miles, while his dam was a winner over this trip, so he’s certainly bred to prosper over middle-distances. He also had the option of running in the Golden Gates Stakes over two furlongs shorter on Saturday, too, so it is surely noteworthy connections have opted to run him over this trip instead. 

Based upon the manner of his Chepstow victory, a rating of 92 looks lenient for his handicap debut, and Tom Marquand sounded bullish when asked about Gilded Water’s chances recently. 

I’m hoping Marquand is able get a good position from stall six as his mount raced prominently en route to victory last time out, and faster ground here shouldn’t be an issue given his closest relations all coped with these conditions. 

Race: 3.45pm -

Best odds: 16-1 (each-way).

Rubies Are Red shot towards the top of the Betfred Oaks market after flying home to finish a never-nearer second in the Oaks Trial at Lingfield on her penultimate start, and she would have won that contest had she coped with the track. It was probably obvious watching the race, but the RaceiQ data also shows she clocked above-average sectionals once hitting top gear there, too. 

However, the fact she didn’t have the attributes to handle Lingfield was always going to be a concern at Epsom, and it is for that reason I think it is best to put a line through her disappointing effort in the Oaks where she was also a major drifter beforehand. 

Aidan O’Brien’s charge is by Galileo out of Lockinge winner Red Evie plus is also a full sister to Found, as well as a number of other Group winners, so she’s certainly bred to be smart. 

This track looks more suitable for her, and she ought to relish this trip based upon her pedigree and past efforts. With just four starts under her belt, she remains with bundles of potential, and looks a shade over-priced at the general 16-1 on offer. 

With opting to ride Port Fairy, Rubies Are Red looks O’Brien’s second string on jockey bookings, but they both have the same rating and there doesn't appear much between them on paper, so I doubt it was the easiest decision for Moore. 

Race: 5.05pm -

Best odds: 12-1 (each-way).

Given this 400,000gns purchase made his debut in the valuable Convivial Maiden at York last season, it is wise to think has always held in high regard, and he emerged from that contest as a major eye-catcher. 

The son of Farhh eventually got off the mark at the third attempt (his greenness held him back again when third on his second start) but Ryan stressed that his charge was always going to develop into a better horse this year.

It is fair to say that Ryan was spot on, too, as Volterra returned this season with a relatively cosy victory in a 0-90 handicap over a mile at Newmarket off a rating of 82 where he justified strong market support. Despite racing keenly, he found plenty under pressure to defeat Skukuza who won off a rating of 85 on his next start and will also line up in the Britannia Stakes. 

The selection has been hit with a 9lb rise since, but the manner of that victory, and natural progression, suggests a rating 91 is still likely to underestimate him. He also has plenty of size and scope about him, so is entitled to strip much fitter for that outing, too.

Good to firm ground will be ideal, and there's no reason why won't suit, so he appears to hold strong each-way claims, despite this looking a wide-open contest.