Which Royal Ascot runner are you intent on backing next time?

Notebooks at the ready! Nine of our in-house judges have nominated a runner at Royal Ascot who they are keen to back next time . . .

Al Riffa

By Conor Fennelly, reporter

Second in the Hardwicke Stakes

Al Riffa ran right up to his best when chasing home the smart Rebel's Romance in the Hardwicke Stakes and he appeals as one who can land a big one at some point this season over 1m4f or further.

This was just his third start over the trip, having landed a German Group 1 last year before not firing in the Arc. He just lacked a change of gear late on to reel in the winner but he pulled nicely clear of a very useful type in Ghostwriter in third. 

He has an entry in the Curragh Cup over 1m6f next month as well as the Irish St Leger later in the year, which are intriguing options given he hit the line hard at Ascot despite having to come from further off the pace than his rivals in the finish.

The winner can not be underestimated given his international exploits and his excellent third in last year's King George when he was closer to a ferocious pace than ideal, so this was a high-class effort from Al Riffa who, after only two starts since February, seems well poised for a productive remainder of the campaign.

Asfoora

By Jack Haynes, reporter

Joint-fifth in the King Charles III Stakes

Asfoora's dead-heat fifth when attempting to defend her King Charles III Stakes crown may have been disappointing to her backers but there are reasons to believe she can improve on that effort next time.

Henry Dwyer was honest in the lead-up about her different preparation to last year, with the Aussie sprinter arriving on the back of two fewer runs and landing in Britain later than hoped.

Henry Dwyer: expects Asfoora to improve as her European campaign goes onCredit: Edward Whitaker

With that in mind, it is felt Asfoora's European campaign could last longer this year and potentially include the Flying Five at the Curragh and the Abbaye at Longchamp.

In the short term, though, she should take plenty of beating in the King George Qatar Stakes at Glorious Goodwood on August 1, a race she recorded her best Racing Post Rating in last year when beaten a short head by Big Evs. She will not have to carry a penalty this time.

Comfort Zone

By Graeme Rodway, deputy betting editor

Third in the Ascot Stakes

The Ascot Stakes was a slowly run, messy race, but it produced the fastest finish all week on the round course and nothing came home better than third-placed Comfort Zone.

The Joseph O'Brien-trained six-year-old ran on strongly inside the final furlong and was closing the first two down all the way to the line. 

His late progress was so rapid that I am convinced he would have won had the race been run at a truer pace and he has a lot more to offer in staying handicaps this summer.

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Dickensian

By Laurence Morter, The Punt

Second in Windsor Castle

Dickensian has shown he has significant pace in his three runs and learned his lesson from being too keen on his previous start when running a big race in the Windsor Castle.

He raced on the near side and was a lot more professional, racing prominently and only just outdone by the equally smart Havana Hurricane.

His breeding suggests he may get six furlongs in time, both his sire and dam won Group races as juveniles over that trip, but he would certainly be worth backing if he goes for another five furlong Listed race such as the Dragon Stakes at Sandown or the Roses Stakes at York before having a crack at a Group race later in the year.

Hammer The Hammer

By James Hill, tipster

Second, Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes

I am a believer that sprinters carrying big weights in handicaps is one of the tougher jobs in Flat racing, and it was a tremendous effort from Hammer The Hammer to get so close in the Palace of Holyroodhouse. 

He was racing off a 12lb higher mark following an impressive win at Chester last month and was up with a fierce pace all the way at Ascot, keeping on through to the line with only Adrestia proving too good.

Kevin Ryan: has a smart sprinter in Hammer The HammerCredit: Edward Whitaker

The front-runners who had tried to go with him on his side finished seventh, 16th and 20th. It was the fastest time of all the 5f races run all week – albeit on the quickest ground – and was a terrific effort.

Hammer The Hammer's got the right connections to keep improving as a sprinter, and I would not be surprised at all if he one day proved up to Pattern class.

Holkham Bay

By Matt Rennie, reporter

Fourth in the Wokingham

Ascot is not a bad place to save your best for and I am confident Holkham Bay will be winning at the track again this year.

He fared best of a small group on the stands' side in the Wokingham, with the first three coming from the opposite side, and he ran a stormer in the circumstances.

Holkham Bay (near) could return to the Shergar Cup after finishing fourth in the WokinghamCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

His track record now reads 4112, which included winning at the Shergar Cup meeting last year. That will surely be on his agenda again, or the big 5f handicap on Summer Mile day next month could suit too.

Notable Speech

By Jonathan Pearson, Racing Post Ratings

Fourth in the Queen Anne Stakes

There were many horses who caught the eye at Royal Ascot and I would be inclined to keep many of the winners on side when they next run. Of those to have not won, Notable Speech ranks highly.

The Queen Anne was a muddling race run at a sedate pace, and yet the first three home all came from further back in the field. Notable Speech found himself in the middle of the pack, but having been stuck behind runners had to go around the entire field to make a challenge, and at this point William Buick dropped his whip, also not helping matters.

There is a possibility he might be better dropping back from a mile to 7f, but I believe he will be fine over either trip. He needs a stronger pace to aim at and a little more luck through the race. Had that happened last week, he surely would have gone close.

Reaching High

By Harry Wilson, tipster

Ninth in the Ascot Stakes

Trained by Willie Mullins, ridden by Ryan Moore and owned by the King and Queen, Reaching High looked to be one of the more obvious winners of the week.

He ran a great prep for the Ascot Stakes when beaten on the nod at Leopardstown over 1m4f on his stable debut last month, and his pedigree suggested he was likely to benefit from going up in trip. His dam Estimate won the Gold Cup for the royals in 2013, while his half-brother Evaluation was a multiple winner over 2m on the Flat.

Willie Mullins: could be eyeing some nice staying handicaps with Reaching HighCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Reaching High travelled well on the inside but found every gap closing in front him and was repeatedly denied a clear run in the straight, finishing hard on the bridle with running left.

This was only his second start for Mullins and, on this evidence, it is only a matter of time until he lands a valuable pot in a staying race on the Flat.

Redorange

By James Stevens, West Country correspondent

Third in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes

A Clive Cox sprinter, enough said. This one is particularly worth following after his fine third in the Palace of Holyroodhouse, which should work out to be a good piece of form.

Redorange (left): proving a progressive sprinter for Clive CoxCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

He was drawn on the wrong side on Friday and travelled fairly well under Rossa Ryan. He responded immediately when put under pressure and was only caught late by two good horses in Adrestia and Hammer The Hammer.

The Mehmas gelding clearly has the pace for 5f but I would be interested to see him return to 6f. A £100,000 handicap for three-year-olds at Newmarket's July festival could be a likely target.

Read more . . .

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Pricewise is red-hot after 22-1, 10-1, 10-1, 7-1 and 7-1 winners at Royal Ascot - make sure you never miss out by joining Racing Post+ Ultimate for £20 when you sign up via web using code JUNEJEWELS20 – that's a whopping 60% discount. Available only to new and returning customers. Subscription will auto-renew at £49.95 unless you call our cancellation line to cancel. Sign up now.