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Remind me next time

Get out your finest attire as it's that time of year again. Horse racing's most glamourous meeting - Royal Ascot - takes centre stage this week with the creme-de-la-creme of flat horses battling it out for crowning glory over the next five days.

To get you started ahead of Day 1 of the Festival, expert horse racing tipster Gavin Smith brings you his tips for the first day Royal Ascot. Gavin will be back every day with his best bets and hot tips for all five days of Royal Ascot.

Don't miss out on his four point e/w spread Royal Acot Day 1 betting tips and predictions.

Royal Ascot Day 1 Tips

5:35 Royal Ascot Tips

1m2f (1m1f212y) Wolferton Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) 

Foxes Tales – 1pt Each Way - 9/1 (General but Bet365 – Five places) 

horseRacingOdds

A lightly raced contender who won here in 2021, Foxes Tales looks to have a great chance here. Having had 2 runs this season, the first was not only a 2nd in front of 7/1 shot Juan Elcano but also behind a very good horse in Mostahdaf who recently lost out to Bay Bridge at the end of last month. And the second was over 1m4f where he went off favourite and just didn’t stay the trip, so it’s encouraging to see him so quickly back over 1m2f. 

Previous form saw him 2nd to 121 rated Dubai Honour on good to firm, then winning at Haydock ahead of 10/1 shot Majestic Dawn, who recently bolted up at Goodwood, albeit receiving weight. Second to recent Chester winner Solid Stone, who’s form has been boosted twice since and then ended the season off in the Group 1 Champion Stakes! In amongst the likes of Adayar, Mishriff, Al Aasy and the eventual winner Sealiway

Ground should be no issue and the high draw will hopefully pose no threat (last year’s win was also from a high draw in a big field) and he also receives 3lbs from some of the field for not having won a listed race yet. The biggest dangers for me would be Perotto, West End Charmer and 33/1 shot Certain Lad who’s form ties in with Solid Stone. 

9/1 is available with near enough all of the main bookmakers but I’d take it with Bet365 as they are paying 5 places rather than 4 on this race.  

6:10 Royal Ascot Tips

1m6f (1m6f34y) Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap) (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-105) 

Bandinelli – 1pt Each Way – 12/1 (General - 5 places) 

horseRacingOdds

A highly progressive horse in 2021 after being gelded, he won 2 on the trot with the second being over 1m6f beating 97 rated Spirit Mixer giving him 10lbs that day on good to firm ground. Conditions should be very similar for this and back over his best distance (in my opinion), he should make a good account of himself. He then went on to be a fair second over too short a trip at 1m4f on the AW and followed that up with a 2m win over 102 rated Sleeping Lion also on the AW, albeit receiving weight. 

This season he has raced twice, the first was a good reappearance also on the AW but he didn’t have to beat too much. The second was a complete flop, still over 2m but back on the turf, he never really settled being stuck out wide and having to make his own running. It wasn’t until the straight that Doyle realised he had nothing in the tank over this trip against better opposition and not getting his way and he was basically pulled up. 

It’s encouraging to see Buick booked this time and an immediate return to 1m6f, I would be surprised if Bandinelli was still rated below 100 after this race is finished. The only worry is the high stall position, it’s not a huge deal as the race is more than 1m but it’s still something to be aware of. The biggest dangers for me are Stowell, Okita Soushi and Alounak who is finally returning to his preferred 1m6f after his 3rd in last year’s Ebor festival. 

Total Outlay – 4 points.   

Royal Ascot Betting Tips