Horse Racing Tips: Royal Ascot Friday cheat sheet from Paddy’s pundits

MAWJ looked really good for Saeed bin Suroor first time and is a huge ride for Ray Dawson. She hacked up at Newmarket in May and ran as if she had bundles of improvement to come. Obviously Meditate will be a danger.

MEDITATE won well on her last start at Naas and impressed at the Curragh before that. The ground should suit too.

QUEEN OLLY looked really good when winning on debut at York. She looks the banker runner for trainer David Loughnane at the meeting.

MAWJ is a sister to Modern Games, who won at the Breeders Cup. It was a slow run race at Newmarket last time out and she was still very impressive. Meditate is the danger having won both her starts.

No great betting appeal in the Albany for me, although MAWJ was very impressive at Newmarket, and would be my token choice on that basis.

I like EHRAZ each-way. He’s been a work in progress and getting him to finish off his races has been theaim. He finally did that again at Newbury last time and he’ll travel like a machine off a strong gallop.

I like EHRAZ. I thought he was unlucky at Newbury in the Carnarvon Stakes when finishing second behind Tiber Flow. He’s an improving horse and won at the meeting last year.

EHRAZ has been stepping up nicely with each start so far this term including over course and distance on his return to action. He then flashed home from way back at Newbury last time out.

Perfect Power is the favourite and he has the best two-year-old form. However, the horse I like at the prices is TWILIGHT JET. He looked like he had done well over the winter when winning at Naas.

FLOTUS was well clear of the field when a close second in the Cheveley Park Stakes last autumn, and looks like she’s trained on well enough to my eyes.

JUST FINE is interesting here. A mark of 97 is clearly workable as the gelding ran off that mark last time when third at York to the very talented Gaassee. I suspect he’s much better than that effort suggests.

I really don’t have a strong opinion on this race, I couldn’t figure it out!

CAP FRANCAIS was a touch unlucky at Chester two starts back and possibly not suited by the track at Epsom last time. Will be flying under the radar with a step up and distance likely to suit.

JUST FINE, who is a son of See The Stars, took a while to find his feet last season and ran some good races. CANDLEFORD is of interest at the prices. He has some good form on the all-weather.

It’s a first run of the season for my NAP of the day CANDLEFORD and he’s drawn in stall 18. I don’t think he has any issue with that.

Inspiral was easily the best of these last season and can clearly hack up if retaining her ability. I’ll back PROSPEROUS VOYAGE each-way, though. The 1000 Guineas second was unlucky not to win at Newmarket.

I’m willing to take on Inspiral. I’ve landed on the French filly MANGOUSTINE, who beat Cachet on her last start. The French don’t tend to travel unless they’re confident of winning.

This is the return to action from last season’s unbeaten champion juvenile lady INSPIRAL. It’s a tough start, but she was so superior in 2021 she may have the class to cope.

INSPIRAL had a problem before the Guineas but if she is back to full fitness the others will struggle to beat her. I feel this trip will suit PROSPEROUS VOYAGE and she is a value bet.

SANDRINE is a fair each-way bet. She shaped well behind Prosperous Voyage in the 1000 Guineas despite being badly drawn.

CRENELLE disappointed at Newmarket last time out. Frankie Dettori rides and she might just be thrown in off 92 if that confidence for her latest effort has any substance. She’s an each-way chance.

I like the look of PERSIST. I loved her last start where she won at Ripon. Cieren Fallon rides for William Haggas which is a solid booking.

PERSIST had an awful lot of ground to make up on a front runners track at Ripon last time but did so comprehensively and looks well ahead of where she sits in the handicap.

Charlie Fellowes has had Royal Ascot winners and FRESH HOPE, a daughter of New Approach, will handle conditions. She has a lovely light weight and could still be well handicapped.

The one that caught my eye was FRESH HOPE. I thought she won really nicely on handicap debut at Doncaster last time out and has gone up just enough to get into this race.

LYSANDER was a flop when last seen at Goodwood but has been always held in high regard and this is winnable. Tom Marquand takes the ride and I’m hoping for improvement.

I’m on OTTOMAN FLEET for William Buick and Charlie Appleby. He battled to win at Newmarket last time out and going up in trip will suit him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes off the favourite.

LYSANDER looks the clear main danger to the red-hot favourite coming over from Ireland Changingoftheguard. He’s had less racing so has more room for natural improvement.

CHANGINGOFTHEGUARD won very nicely at Chester on slower ground and didn’t disgrace himself in the Derby but the concern is the quick ground. If he doesn’t cope Ottoman Fleet will take advantage.

I think Changingoftheguard might be vulnerable and OTTOMAN FLEET should be favourite. He’s only had two runs and will improve a chunk here.

STERLING KNIGHT is at the right end of the handicap for Ed Dunlop and might surprise a few. He won well at Ascot last time.

I fancy John Murtagh’s LADIES CHURCH. I liked her last start at Cork where she finished second. I don’t know too much else about this race so she’ll do me!

NYMPHADORA put up a really good performance behind a runaway winner at Chester last time despite not being her ideal conditions.

CANONIZED finished behind the smart El Cabello on the all-weather a couple of times earlier this year and there’s no disgrace there. She’ll stay and favourite Ruthin has looked a weak finisher in the past.

Ruthin has to be interesting but she has a lot of weight on her back. I’ll take NYMPHADORA each-way at a bit of a price. She’s a big horse who wants a fast surface.