The Ascot Stakes is a handicap run over 2m4f. It takes place at 17:00 on Tuesday 17th June, which is the first day of Royal Ascot 2025. View the runners here, and also make sure to check out the odds and tips on offer for this race.

NO.DRAW
FORM

HORSE

ODDS

JOCKEY& TRAINER

AGE

WGT

RPR

11⁽⁸⁾

0940-3

Zoffee

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

9-6

104

Second, first and third in the last three Chester Cups and not far away in this race two years ago; back up 3lb since latest Chester Cup, however, and he didn't quite reproduce the Chester form in either the 2023 or 2024 campaigns.

1⁽¹⁹⁾

561-60

Dawn Rising

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien

9-12

100

110

Won 2m5f Queen Alexandra here in 2023 (third in it last year, again on good to firm) and 2m Curragh Group 3 last November; also effective in top, big-field handicaps but put up a very lacklustre display in the Chester Cup on latest outing, admittedly from a wide draw; competitive if back on song with tongue tied first time.

18⁽²⁾

16-242

Woot City

J: Stephane Pasquier

T: F Chappet

9-3

109

French-trained 8yo who's won six of 53 races, the latest wins from off the pace in large-field handicaps over 1m7f last May and 2m in August; those were in the mud but he was second on officially good ground on latest outing; a likely stayer and it looks like he has a highly competitive mark.

4⁽¹²⁾

2/116

San Salvador

J: Hugh Horgan

T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien

9-11

Has seen far more action over hurdles and fences (useful at up to 2m4f) but also won under Flat rules in a Dundalk maiden (10.5f, AW) in January and gamely from the front in a conditions event at Killarney (1m6f, good) last month; put firmly in his place at 33-1 in a 1m4f Listed race last time and the handicapper hasn't obviously taken any chances with this opening Flat mark, but going further than 1m6f should suit him.

3⁽⁵⁾

80-230

Divine Comedy

J: David Probert

T: Harry Eustace

9-11

107

Went close in this race (good to firm) last term off 2lb lower; has since come up short with higher marks and higher grades; perhaps forgiven latest start, in the Chester Cup, and a return to form is not ruled out.

9⁽⁶⁾

/221-1

Ascending

J: W J Lee

T: Henry De Bromhead

9-7

102

Sole attempt on good to firm was debut; fairly useful hurdler who has reverted to the Flat with two seconds and two wins; the wins came in handicaps at Dundalk (2m, AW; easily at 2-5) and Cork (1m4f, good; hard fought) and he looks a live prospect for this race despite his speedy pedigree.

14⁽¹¹⁾

1081-0

Alphonse Le Grande

J: Jamie Spencer

T: A J Martin

9-5

103

His three visits to Britain from Ireland last year provided a rich haul with wins in the Chester Plate (2m2f, good to firm), Northumberland Vase at Newcastle (2m, AW) and Cesarewitch at Newmarket (2m2f, soft); the latter was by a nose from Manxman and they raced on opposite sides of the track, with this one in charge on the near side from 2f out; 6lb higher today but has a run under his belt and may well be ready to take another big prize.

16⁽¹⁶⁾

2/071-

Comfort Zone

J: Tom Marquand

T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien

9-5

Unraced on firmer than good; fairly useful hurdler (stays 2m6f) on his day in 2024, below form in two festival runs this spring; ran in three big-field Flat handicaps last autumn, back to form when winning with a strong late challenge at Naas (2m, yielding) on third occasion, so he's not entirely ruled out despite an apparently tough British mark.

12⁽³⁾

318-18

Saturn

J: Shane Foley

T: Mrs John Harrington

9-5

107

Most starts on good ground, unraced on firmer; lightly raced 5yo who had 282 days off before emerging from off the pace to win narrowly at Navan (1m6f) in April; below-form favourite behind Ascending at Cork (1m4f) six weeks ago but going beyond 1m6f for the first time is interesting and he holds possibilities if that latest run is forgiven.

13⁽²⁰⁾

/644-0

Nurburgring

J: Colin Keane

T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien

9-5

102

Well beaten at 80-1 in Group 2 Queen's Vase here in 2023; staying-on fourth over hurdles/fences at last two Cheltenham Festivals, in 2m4f handicap this March; last month's Flat run was over just 1m2f and the big pointer to his chance is that he passed stacks of rivals to take fourth in last September's Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh (nearly 2m1f, good); the widest draw here will probably demand an even bigger effort from off the pace, and cheekpieces (worn in two good jumps runs) are now worn for first time on Flat.

2⁽⁹⁾

/47-74

Artistic Star

J: Jack Dace

T: Ralph Beckett

9-12

100

109

Third in the 1m4f King Edward VII at this meeting two years ago was the pick of his five runs in Group contests; handicaps on last three outings, racing a bit freely when always-prominent fourth of ten at Newmarket (good to firm) last time on step up to 1m6f but he also stuck to his task very well to give hope for 2m+; 7lb claimer is recruited.

8⁽⁴⁾

312-21

Manxman

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

9-7

107

Had a mark of just 46 this time two years ago and is now 7-13 in handicaps; went mighty close in last year's Cesarewitch at Newmarket (2m2f, soft) and emerged strongest to score by a neck from Mr Hampstead at Goodwood (2m, good) last month; first win was on good to firm in 2023, unraced on it since; up another 4lb but needs plenty of respect assuming the ground is suitable.

10⁽¹⁵⁾

215/1

Liari

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Michael Bell

9-7

108

Fairly useful hurdler; 1-3 on the Flat in France early in 2023 and returned to this sphere with a front-running win in six-runner handicap at Newmarket (1m6f, good to firm) one month ago, going clear about 4f out and staying clear; up 7lb and into a much stronger race but he could have plenty more to offer.

19⁽⁷⁾

003-12

Mr Hampstead

J: David Egan

T: Raphael E Freire

9-2

109

Tailed off last June in the Derby and 1m4f Group 2 at this meeting; gelded and reappeared this season with two improved performances in 2m handicaps on good ground at Goodwood, winning the first in emphatic style and collared close home by Manxman on latest; up another 2lb but another bold show may well be on its way.

5⁽¹³⁾

8-3074

Align The Stars

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

9-10

107

Handicap hat-trick last summer (final leg at Glorious Goodwood) and he ran well in Listed event on return; not in the best of form since, though, and latest start again failed to prove he stays 2m; headgear enlisted.

6⁽¹⁴⁾

/54-44

Feigning Madness

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

9-9

106

4yo who has had only six races; keeping on for fourth over 1m4f at Newbury (good) on 2025 reappearance hinted he may have staying potential; that wasn't confirmed over 2m here (good to firm) later in April, in his third Group 3, but that was a slowly run race and this is his first handicap.

15⁽¹⁾

3210-2

Reaching High

J: Ryan Moore

T: W P Mullins

9-5

103

Dam is Ascot Gold Cup winner Estimate; inconsistent for Sir Michael Stoute last term, best efforts when second on good to firm in June and drubbing his opponents over 1m6f on AW in August; tailed off in the Melrose at York (6-1) final 3yo outing but made a bright start for new yard when beaten on the nod at Leopardstown (1m4f) last month; needs improvement but there is a great deal to suggest he arrives here with major potential as a stayer.

20⁽¹⁰⁾

20830-

Poniros

J: William Buick

T: W P Mullins

9-2

110

Trained last year by Ralph Beckett, favourite when below form in the 1m1f Cambridgeshire on final outing (also below form on sole run on good to firm); made his stable/hurdles debut in March, in the Triumph at Cheltenham no less, but belied odds of 100-1 to win by a neck; second at Punchestown in May (despite racing freely) confirmed his high standing in that sphere, so he's a high-profile candidate for this return to Flat, over a very new Flat trip but his trainer usually picks the right ones for these races.

7⁽¹⁸⁾

4314-1

East India Dock

J: James Doyle

T: James Owen

9-8

106

One of the top juvenile hurdlers last season and he justified warm favouritism when returned to the Flat in 15-runner Chester Cup (2m2f, good) over five weeks ago, never far away before strength of stamina took him to the front inside the final 1f; below-form outsider last April/June on his only two starts on good to firm (one at this meeting); up 8lb since Chester but may well be capable of another advance if the ground is okay.

17⁽¹⁷⁾

/13-14

Leinster

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien

9-4

108

Has had only fives races; won a 1m2f maiden and 1m4f handicap (made all) on turf in Ireland; second favourite when upped to 2m2f for the Chester Cup (good; unraced on firmer) on latest outing but looked tricky to restrain in front, doing well to be headed only just over 1f out and hang on for fourth; up 2lb, with potential but wide draw may require a change in tactics.

RACING POST TIP

Alphonse Le Grande

It was 2018 when Willie Mullins last won this race but he's had three seconds since and fields two of the strongest candidates this time round in Triumph Hurdle winner Poniros and the King and Queen's unexposed staying prospect Reaching High. Preference, however, is for ALPHONSE LE GRANDE who travelled over from Ireland to such stunning effect last season and may well remain capable of better. In all, ten of the runners are trained in Ireland, with plenty of interest among their other runners too, and the one from France also needs a close look as the in-form 8yo Woot City (second choice) shapes like a strong stayer and seems to be on a good mark. The British are by no means bereft of hope and the best of them may be Manxman ahead of East India Dock (renewing Triumph rivalry with Poniros) and Liari.

Royal Ascot Free Bets

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Year	Horse [Draw]	Age	Weight	SP	Trainer	Jockey
2024	Pledgeofallegiance [1]	4	8-13	20/1	Sir Mark Prescott	Luke Morris
2023	Ahorsewithnoname [7]	8	9-8	7/1	Nicky Henderson	William Buick
2022	Coltrane [6]	5	9-5	14/1	Andrew Balding	Callum Hutchinson
2021	Juan Elcarno [5]	4	9-3	14/1	Kevin Ryan	Andrea Atzeni
2020	Coeur De Lion [9]	7	8-10	16/1	Alan King	Thore Hammer Hansen 5
2019	The Grand Visir [18]	5	9-10	12/1	Ian Williams	Richard Kingscote
2018	Lagostovegas [1]	6	9-3	10/1	W P Mullins	Andrea Atzeni
2017	Thomas Hobson [11]	7	9-10	4/1F	W P Mullins	Ryan Moore
2016	Jennies Jewel [2]	9	9-3	6/1	Jarlath P Fahey	Ronan Whelan
2015	Clondaw Warrior [19]	8	9-0	5/1F	W P Mullins	Ryan Moore
2014	Domination [17]	7	9-7	12/1	C Byrnes	Fran Berry

Key race stats 2025

Key trends

Won a Flat handicap, 10/10
Won within last five Flat starts, 9/10
Previously ran over hurdles, 7/10
Raced no more than once on the Flat that season, 7/10
Officially rated 91-98, 6/10

Other factors

Three winners were set to carry 9st 10lb (2022 winner Coltrane was ridden by a 5lb claimer).

Only two winners had scored beyond 2m on the Flat.

What happened in the Ascot Stakes last year?

Sir Mark Prescott celebrated a first Royal Ascot winner in 28 years when PLEDGEOFALLEGIANCE stayed on best to land the Ascot Stakes over 2m4f. The son of Sea The Stars had been improving at a rate of knots since running in handicaps over staying trips and arrived on the back of a win at Goodwood. Luke Morris’s mount went clear with Divine Comedy in the closing stages and got the better of a ding-dong battle to win by half a length. Zanndabad was sent off the 9-2 favourite but finished back in sixth, becoming the seventh consecutive beaten market leader in the race.

Ascot Stakes

17:00 Royal Ascot

RACING POST TIP

Royal Ascot Free Bets

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Key race stats 2025

What happened in the Ascot Stakes last year?

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