Five horses to follow at Royal Ascot on Thursday

Tipster: Andy Stephens

Wathnan Racing have already enjoyed a Royal Meeting to savour and Lady Vivian, trained by Ralph Beckett and trading at double-figure odds, can carry their silks to more glory. 

The Camelot filly will be taking a marked rise in class after landing a handicap off a mark of 80 at Chester last time, but she was clearly thrown in that day (sent off at odds-on) and Wathnan saw enough in her dominant front-running display to snap her up. 

This also looks anything but a vintage edition of the Ribblesdale, reflected by the fact that there isn’t a runner in the race with an official rating of more than 100. 

Lady Vivian has been pushed up to a mark of 88 but you could reasonably argue she should be nearer three figures herself, given that she had previously had few problems brushing aside Caspi Star, who she meets again on Thursday, in a maiden at Southwell.

Caspi Star subsequently finished a close third to Minnie Hauk in the Cheshire Oaks and had been elevated to 96, even before the winner followed up in the Oaks at Epsom. 

It would be dangerous to take a literal reading of the Cheshire Oaks form - Minnie Hauk clearly upped her game at Epsom – but, regardless, Caspi Star clearly gave a nod to Lady Vivian, an improving filly proven over the trip and versatile regards tactics.

Incidentally, Caspi Star is put in at shorter odds and if nothing else, I'll be surprised if Lady Vivian does not at least confirm earlier superiority. Look out for any match bet, or spread bet, featuring the pair.

Tipster: Ross Millar. 

Tipster: Dave Nevison.

Clive Cox had been having a quiet spell, but his team have bounced back to form in the past few days, with a winner at Windsor and two 66-1 chances running brilliant races on the first day of this meeting. 

Fearnot won’t be a 66-1 chance, and can definitely be fancied strongly in what is probably the most difficult three-year-old only handicap of the year. 

He couldn’t have proclaimed his suitability for this race any better than winning by over four lengths over course and distance last time out. He has gone up 10lb but would have won that even off this new mark, and I believe he might still be well ahead of the handicapper. 

Fast ground is no issue and jockey David Probert won on him on his debut, so a good run is surely on the cards.

Tipster: Danny Archer. 

He got badly unbalanced on the camber at Epsom when second in the Blue Riband Trial, but still stayed in powerfully to take second.

There was stacks to like about his fourth in the French Derby given he helped force the pace in the race and rallied when headed. Only a head separated him and Detain on that occasion and I thought it was telling that he was Aidan O'Brien's only entry at the five-day stage for a trainer who has won this race four times previously. 

Tipster: Harry Allwood and Donn McClean.

Read Harry's thoughts below.

This five-year-old was sent off the well-supported favourite when fifth in the Nua Healthcare Irish Lincolnshire on his return this season where he raced keenly and travelled strongly into contention before his early exertions, and lack of race fitness, took a toll.

He again caught the eye next time out when narrowly denied in the Victoria Cup over this course and distance and was arguably an unlucky loser considering he challenged solo towards the near side. 

That was a career-best effort from the lightly-raced performer, and his handler quickly earmarked the Buckingham Palace Stakes as his next target. The stiff seven furlongs at Ascot and good to firm ground clearly suits, and the Victoria Cup looked a strong race on paper. 

He’s been raised 3lb since but remains low mileage, and has been purchased by Amo Racing, (exclusively revealed by Johnny Ward ) ahead of Royal Ascot, so hopes are clearly high. 

A repeat of his latest effort will see him involved in the finish and I would nominate him as my strongest each-way fancy of the week.