Horse racing tips: Ruby Walsh’s smart selections for Royal Ascot on Saturday

Ruby offers up his picks for the Day 5 card at Royal Ascot.

Ruby Walsh Ascot

* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

14:30: POINT LONSDALE

POINT LONSDALE was visually very impressive at the Curragh. You could see his nose getting closer to the ground, how genuine he looked and how professional he was. He probably ticks all the right boxes. I can’t see how you go against him. His price is pretty skinny but he’s handling yielding ground and looks like a stayer to me. The test of stamina on Saturday is really going to suit him and he looks like most people’s Naps – and what better way to get off to the afternoon?

15:05: MUTASAABEQ

MUTASAABEQ is the one. If we go back to his win at Newmarket last October it was a win on really testing ground. He was drawn at 12 in the Guineas and that definitely favoured the low numbers on the day, so you can really make a case for him here. With Jim Crowley and Charlie Hills, he’s the one for me.

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15:40: BROOME

Aidan O’Brien, has four horses in this race and I think BROOME is crying out to go back to a mile and a half. To be honest I’m not a massive fan of the other three. Tiger Moth was disappointing at the Curragh, was chucked into the Melbourne Cup and didn’t draw, but was really good at Leopardstown last year over a mile and half – he has to improve a hell of a lot. Japan and Mogul just don’t do it for me either.

The right one here is Broome. He won his first three starts this season and he just got chinned the last time at a mile and a quarter. Back up to a mile and a half and I think he’s the one to beat.

16:20: NAHAARR

This is a difficult one and it will be interesting to see what the riders do. Will they go far side or the Arkle Stand side? I just can’t see them staying in the middle. Glen Shiel likes to go forward but it depends on if Hollie Doyle does. Starman is in gate 13 and isn’t necessarily a frontrunner, so what does Shane Murphy do? Go all the way to the right if everyone else does? Or will he come left on his own?

NAHAARR is the one that interests me. He dwelled in the stalls fractionally in the Arkle and ended up at the back of the field behind Starman. Now, Nahaarr had fitness on his side over Starman. As for Dream Of Dreams, he’s not getting any younger but is a top-class sprinter as well. This is a puzzle.

Horse racing tips Ruby Walsh Ascot day 5

17:00: DANZENO

It’s a matter of being drawn left or right here. Those in the middle are at a big disadvantage. Really high is DANZENO for Ray Dawson and Michael Appleby. He’s drawn 29, a big price and will have a shout – he was third at Haydock behind Count D’orsay last September on soft. His weight is probably at its limit.

17:35: VISUALISATION

VISUALISATION won well at the Curragh in his last start, while there’s plenty of runners here that have to improve on current form. Frankie Dettori is an interesting jockey booking on King Frankel, he doesn’t ride for Mark Johnson often.

18:10: STRATUM

The extreme distance might bring a bit of improvement in STRATUM. He’s getting a little sore as he’s getting older and this distance will really suit him. He’s got that doggedness about him and will love the trip.

Falcon Eight was very good at the Chester Cup – if I have one worry he did take a fair bite there, which is a really competitive handicap over two and a quarter miles round a tight, turning track. This race, though, starts almost a mile back in a straight line and then turning to race down. Falcon Eight will have to start better than he did at Chester if he is to last out under Dettori.

Ruby Walsh’s Ascot Tips summary

14:30 Point Lonsdale
15:05 Mutasaabeq
15:40 Broome
16:20 Nahaarr
17:00 Danzeno
17:35 Visualisation
18:10 Stratum

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