Platinum Jubilee Stakes tips and runner-by-runner guide to Saturday’s 4.20 at Royal Ascot

Who wins the last Group 1 of the meeting?

*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

A big-field sprint headlines the card on the final day of Royal Ascot 2022.

The leading contender for the Platinum Jubilee Stakes at 4.20pm on Saturday is Australian speedball Home Affairs, who will aim to follow in the hooves of stablemate Nature Strip by scoring at this meeting.

WELCOME TO PADDY POWER NEWS!

He could face competition from American sprinter Campanelle while Creative Force leads the home charge.

You’ll find Platinum Jubilee Stakes tips from our horse racing experts and a runner-by-runner guide to the 27-strong field below.

Platinum Jubilee Stakes runners

A Case Of You

Trainer: Adrian McGuinness Jockey: R. P. Whelan Age: 4 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 27

2021 Abbaye winner who struck again at the top level in Dubai in March, seeing off Happy Romance. Not so good under a penalty in Group 2 at the Curragh 4 weeks ago though and was well beaten in last year’s Commonwealth Cup.

Artorius

Trainer: Anthony & Sam Freedman Jockey: Jamie Spencer Age: 4 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 2

Smart performer in Australia, successful in Group 1 3-y-o sprint in February 2021. Plenty of good runs since, including in Flemington handicap in March when last seen, but more to find with the principals here.

Creative Force

Trainer: Charlie Appleby Jockey: William Buick Age: 4 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 1

Won on both his visits to Ascot last year, namely the Jersey, and Champions Sprint over C&D (kept on well from Glen Shiel and Minzaal). Ran poorly in Meydan when last seen in March but no surprise to see a revival back here.

Diligent Harry

Trainer: Clive Cox Jockey: Adam Kirby Age: 4 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 14

Quickly made up into a smart sprinter last year, winning 3 times on AW. Fair return in listed race at Doncaster, headed close home, but plenty to find to feature at this level.

Dragon Symbol

Trainer: Roger Varian Jockey: David Egan Age: 4 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 19

Won his first 4 starts over 5f/6f last season and admirably consistent in the top sprints after, first past the post in the Commonwealth Cup here. Better run on second start for new yard at Haydock but that form still short of last year’s best and he needs more.

Emaraaty Ana

Trainer: Kevin Ryan Jockey: Andrea Atzeni Age: 6 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 7

Won the Haydock Sprint Cup in September but proved very disappointing in a couple of outings in Dubai earlier this year. First run at Ascot and needs a revival.

Garrus

Trainer: Charles Hills Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 6 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 16

Smart sprinter who bagged his second success of 2021 in Group 3 at Deauville in August. Just failed behind Double Or Bubble in the Abernant at Newmarket in April but ran poorly in blinkers (removed here) behind Highfield Princess at York latest. Hard to fancy.

Glen Shiel

Trainer: Archie Watson Jockey: Hollie Doyle Age: 8 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 18

Admirable sprinter with a cracking record over C&D, successful in the Champions Sprint in 2020 and runner-up in this and latest renewal of that race last year. Held at the Curragh 4 weeks ago but no surprise to see a much better performance now.

Great Ambassador

Trainer: Ed Walker Jockey: Richard Kingscote Age: 5 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 26

One of the most progressive sprinters of last season for new yard, winning 3 times and running a blinder in the Ayr Gold Cup (second to Bielsa who raced solo on opposite side of the track). Goes well fresh and could have even more to offer.

Grenadier Guards

Trainer: Mitsumasa Nakauchida Jockey: Cristian Demuro Age: 4 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 4

Smart Group 1 performer over 7f/1m in Japan. Not seen to best effect on return in 6f Group 1 in March but probably has his work cut out here. Hood fitted.

Gustavus Weston

Trainer: Joseph G. Murphy Jockey: G. F. Carroll Age: 6 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 23

Won Group 2/3 sprints at the Curragh last season. Yet to fully fire this term and up against it even getting back to his best.

Happy Power

Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: P. J. McDonald Age: 6 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 22

Got up a hat-trick over 7f in 2020 (including a Group 2) and first success since in 3-runner Leicester event in April. Not in the same sort of form at Haydock and will do well to better last year’s fourth in this.

Home Affairs

Trainer: Chris Waller Jockey: James McDonald Age: 4 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 17

High-class sprinter in Australia, successful for the second time in a Group 1 when edging out stablemate Nature Strip at Flemington in February. That one was an emphatic winner of the King’s Stand here on Tuesday under this rider and everything looks in place for a big run.

King’s Lynn

Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: David Probert Age: 5 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 21

Better than ever when landing Temple Stakes at Haydock last month from Twilight Calls, who was second in Tuesday’s King’s Stand. Not best placed in that same race and backs up quickly for the second year running (close third in the Wokingham last season after running in the King’s Stand).

Kinross

Trainer: Ralph Beckett Jockey: Frankie Dettori Age: 5 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 6

Did well last term, winning Group 2/3s over 7f and shaping well in the Champions Sprint final start (only run over this trip). Should have come on for last month’s Haydock return and could hit the frame.

Minzaal

Trainer: Owen Burrows Jockey: Jim Crowley Age: 4 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 3

Not seen much since his Gimcrack win in 2020 but no doubting he’s a very good sprinter, third behind Creative Force over C&D on Champions Day in October and shaping well behind Highfield Princess at York on his return. Should come on plenty for that and set to go well in first-time cheekpieces.

Naval Crown

Trainer: Charlie Appleby Jockey: James Doyle Age: 4 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 20

Group 2 winner over 7f in Dubai in January and back to form behind A Case of You and Happy Romance on first go over 6f there 12 weeks ago, keeping on from wide draw. Unexposed as a sprinter and wouldn’t dismiss.

Run To Freedom

Trainer: Henry Candy Jockey: Dane O’Neill Age: 4 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 13

Proved at least as good as ever to open his account for the season in 6f listed Windsor event last month. This is a whole different test.

Alcohol Free

Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Rob Hornby Age: 4 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 9

Very smart filly who won the Coronation Stakes at this meeting last year and landed her third Group 1 in the Sussex in July. Well below that level since however, including in 2 runs over 1m this season. Drop back to sprint trip an interesting move but still easy enough to have doubts.

Campanelle

Trainer: Wesley A. Ward Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr Age: 4 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 15

Defending an unbeaten record at Royal Ascot following victories in the 2020 Queen Mary and 2021 Commonwealth Cup (promoted at the expense of Dragon Symbol). Warmed up with a ready win at Keeneland 9 weeks ago and couldn’t be dismissed for all she has a bit to find with an on-song Home Affairs.

Double Or Bubble

Trainer: Chris Wall Jockey: Jack Mitchell Age: 5 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 8

Better than ever when landing Group 3 Abernant over this trip at Newmarket on return in April, just holding on from Garrus. Unlikely to have finished her winning for the year but this is surely a bridge too far.

Happy Romance

Trainer: Richard Hannon Jockey: Sean Levey Age: 4 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 12

Smart filly who produced yet another likeable display when chasing home A Case of You in Meydan Group 1 in March, doing best of those drawn low. Plenty of winning form in big-field sprints and will relish conditions if they stay quick. Place claims.

Highfield Princess

Trainer: John Quinn Jockey: Jason Hart Age: 5 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 5

Really likeable mare who took a huge step forward when easily winning York Group 2 last month, everything falling into place but still quickening clear impressively. She’ll need to pull out even more to follow up in this.

Sacred

Trainer: William Haggas Jockey: Tom Marquand Age: 4 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 10

Classy 3-y-o, successful in the Nell Gwyn and Hungerford Stakes over 7f. Remains relatively lightly raced and returns over sprint trip after 10 months off. Was second to Campanelle in the 2020 Queen Mary and she’s interesting first time back.

Umm Kulthum

Trainer: Richard Fahey Jockey: C. T. Keane Age: 4 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 11

Smart 2-y-o and back to winning ways in 6f listed fillies’ Newmarket contest on return 7 weeks ago, puttings things to bed in good style. Still relatively lightly raced but this demands a good deal more.

Vadream

Trainer: Charlie Fellowes Jockey: Daniel Tudhope Age: 4 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 25

Likeable filly who did well on her 3 visits to Ascot last year, third behind Creative Force and Naval Crown in the Jersey, then winning Group 3 over C&D from King’s Lynn and fifth in the Champions Sprint. Worked up before low-key York comeback run and can do better.

Ventura Diamond

Trainer: Richard Fahey Jockey: Joe Fanning Age: 4 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 24

Useful sprinter, with her best 2 runs last term coming over C&D in October, third to Vadream in Group 3 and plugging on for seventh in the Champions Sprint. Poor return at Haydock 4 weeks ago however and up against it now.

Platinum Jubilee Stakes tips

Matt Chapman: A huge field declared although I suspect there will be non runners if the ground doesn’t change. No doubt Aussie hope Home Affairs is the one to beat, but SACRED is interesting at a price for William Haggas and Tom Marquand. Now the filly stays up to a mile so this is a bit short for the daughter of Exceed and Excel. That said I imagine she will dropped out and ridden cold for a place so I’ll risk her each way.

Mick Fitzgerald: SACRED is a bold shout I know, however, this daughter of Exceed And Excel handles fast ground really well. She has a lot of speed, as she showed when she beat Saffron Beach in the Nell Gwyn last year first time out. We all saw what Saffron Beach did earlier in the week! I think the 6f at Ascot could be perfect. You have a few horses in front of her in the betting who are proven sprinters but they are priced accordingly. I think Sacred is a sporting each way bet in a tricky race to call.

Timeform: HOME AFFAIRS edged out Tuesday’s emphatic King’s Stand winner and stablemate Nature Strip for his second Group 1 victory in his homeland earlier this year and ran well from a poor position in a handicap next time. A big performance is surely on the way and he can complete a double for Australia. Minzaal should have come on plenty for his York return and is set to go well in first-time cheekpieces. Glen Shiel has a tremendous record over C&D and should be on the premises again.

Ruby Walsh: Ruby Walsh: Home Affairs could very well win this and give Australia another win but I like CREATIVE FORCE. They’ll go hard in this and that will suit him. He’s drawn in stall one and he’s already had a couple of winners from low draws. I’d rather be on that side. He’ll want all of the 6f but he’ll do me!

*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

Royal Ascot tips

Read More

The latest racing odds are on PaddyPower.com now

The Paddy Power Guide To Safer Gambling – Everything You Need To Know