Compare latest antepost betting odds for Royal Ascot here

Although the World Cup will be dominating the current sporting media coverage and betting markets, the Royal Ascot meeting commencing on Tuesday 17th June should also attract its share of attention.

The current going is Good to Soft, Good in places, following 18mm rain on Saturday.

The Ascot Gold Cup on Thursday features the Queen’s horse Estimate attempting to win the race for the second successive season. The Sir Michael Stoute trained mare has only raced once since that triumph when finishing in mid-division in a two mile race on Champions Day at Ascot. There will be a question mark against her fitness but Estimate can be backed at 8/1 with Paddy Power.

Favourite for the race is the Aidan O’Brien horse LEADING LIGHT who won last season’s St Leger.

A winner over 1m6f at Navan in May, the 4 year old colt has been aimed at this race since winning the Queen’s Vase at this meeting last year. He appears to appreciate a true test of stamina with odds of 13/8 at Bet365 available for him providing another Group 1 success for his stable.

Brown Panther is a danger to Leading Light but there are question marks as to whether he is a true Group 1 horse and he is quoted at 6/1 by William Hill whereas Tac De Boistron may be a contender for a place at odds of 7/1 with Ladbrokes.

Among the other races, the Coronation Stakes features the reappearance of 1,000 guineas winner Miss France. The French filly demonstrated her ability on good to firm ground when winning the Newmarket classic but she will be opposed on this occasion by My Titania.

The John Oxx trained horse missed the Guineas due to a bad scope and then heavy going forced her withdrawal from the Irish equivalent. This daughter of Sea The Stars is highly regarded by her stable and is available 6/1 with Skybet to win on her seasonal debut.

With short-priced favourites in evidence for both the Queen Anne and St James Palace Stakes, the King’s Stand Stakes on Tuesday appears a more open looking contest. Defending champion SOLE POWER confirmed his well-being on a favoured sound surface when winning at the Pace House Stakes over 5f at Newmarket in May and is 6/1 at Boylesports.

Favourite for the race is three year old Hot Streak who was third to Sole Power at Newmarket but who has since beaten Pearl Secret at Haydock on softer ground. He may prefer this surface but can be backed at 4/1 with Coral while South African horse Shea Shea has yet to win in England from three starts.

For the Diamond Jubilee Stakes on the Saturday, favourite Slade Power tends to favour easier ground while Aljamaaheer is a consistent horse who may prefer a longer distance.

Of more interest is the Aidan O’Brien trained WAR COMMAND who was a useful two year old but who failed to stay the Newmarket mile in the 2.000 Guineas. Six furlongs may be his ideal trip and he is priced at 16/1 with William Hill for the race.

My Bets

King’s Stand Stakes – Tuesday

5pts Win – SOLE POWER – 6/1 Boylesports

Ascot Gold Cup – Thursday

20pts Win – LEADING LIGHT – 13/8 Bet365

Diamond Jubilee Stakes – Saturday

5pts EW – WAR COMMAND – 16/1 William Hill

Image courtesy of Meteorshoweryn