Royal Ascot will bring together some of the finest trainers and riders in a five-day racing extravaganza. There will be plenty of pomp and splendour, and with a limited crowd permitted to attend, it will make for an unmissable meeting.
One of the feature Group I races will be the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, which is contested over six furlongs, and takes place on the final day of Royal Ascot. This field will be stacked with talent, and picking a winner may be rather tricky.
However, we will try to help you out, by taking a closer look at the favourite. We will also assess the chances of the main contender, as well as suggest a horse you should keep your eyes on.
Favourite – Starman
With only one defeat to his name in his nascent flat career, Starman has the credentials to propel himself and trainer Ed Walker to new heights. Walker boasts a fantastic stable of horses, and with the likes of Prime Bacio involved in the Coronation Stakes earlier in the week, he will be expecting to make a few visits to the winners’ enclosure at Ascot.
Conditions are likely to be good at Ascot, and although Starman’s only defeat came on the soft ground at the QIPCO British Champions Day last October, you don’t imagine he will fluff his lines here.
Walker has marvelled at Starman’s presence, describing him as a “real head-turner in the string”, and a “magnificent horse to be around”. The Betdaq horse racing tips are pointing towards a Starman victory, and it will be fascinating to see if he can live up to his top billing.
Contender – Art Power
Hot on Starman’s heels will be Art Power. 12 months ago, the horse routed a big field in the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Handicap at Royal Ascot.
Art Power has a good track record when it comes to the flats, notching up three wins from seven outings. However, he will be eager to exact revenge over Starman following defeat at York last month. Starman left Art Power trailing in his wake as he romped to a five-and-a- quarter length victory.
Art Power can be a good stayer, and he will relish the challenge of going up against Starman. Trainer Tim Easterby has racked up a few winners at Ascot, and a victory with Art Power would be a crowning achievement.
One to watch – Glass Slippers
Glass Slippers is coming in from the cold, as she hasn’t run since her brilliant victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint in November. Intriguingly, she was a noticeable absentee from the Kings’ Stand Stakes, as she wasn’t among the 16 entries confirmed for that race.
Of course, the five-year-old mare will be tested over six furlongs, but she does enjoy a Stakes contest, claiming five wins from 13 outings, and she will fancy her chances. At the time of writing, she is ahead of Art Power in the outright market, and she could well spring a surprise. Glass Slippers should be factored into your thinking for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.
