ASCOT PREVIEW AND TIPS | EXPERT TIPS | SATURDAY JULY 26TH 2025
RAIL: True TRACK: Good to firm
Going to be conditions identical to Royal Ascot. Fast, firm, free of any strong wind. Advantage will be those on speed but the straight race bias will be known after the going stick readings. (Follow the rule of +0.2 stands side, -0.1 far side)
7. Words Of Truth
2. Harbor Lock
5. New Monarch
1. Dark Shore
Betting Strategy
BACK: 7. Words Of Truth (WIN) for 4 units (Rated at $3.00)
Words Of Truth did more than enough on debut and while an 8th at Newbury doesn’t read all that flash in the form guide, he still beat 10 rivals after showing some poor manners, racing without room and stepping slowly. The form is deep too; the winner of that maiden won the Chesham, as well as the 11th, 10th, 7th, 6th, 4th all winning next time out and the 14th now 2x G2 placed.
He’ll be wiser for that and in a small field with nothing seemingly too threatening he can hopefully progress enough to take this with the gelding op bringing about even further improvement. The only minor knock to my confidence on this horse is normally they’ll keep a stablemate out of the way when they’re really keen on something so it’s troublesome to see one involved but he should still be clear first choice. $7 is a massive price that must be attacked.
8. Flowerhead
10. Staya
7. Fitzella
3. Bella Lyra
Betting Strategy
BACK: 8. Flowerhead (WIN) for 2 units (Rated at $3.00)
The way I expect the track to play Flowerhead should be poised to gain some compensation for the Queen Mary when bumping into True Love. That horse has gone onto a huge romp last week so the form looks well clear and the barrier should be advantageous with that took place yesterday.
BACK: 10. Staya (WIN) for 2 units (Rated at $4.00)
Staya has run a corker in the Queen Mary, drawn 2 on the wrong side of the track and is due an upgrade. Came to Sandown in the Coral Dragon and beat a smart one there. Drawn on the wing to be out of the mess up the middle and if able to match motors with Flowerhead she’s got the turn of foot to get over the top.
4. Royal Dress
8. Cajole
9. Chantilly Lace
11. Piña Sonata
Betting Strategy
Open mares’ race. Not for me.
4. Northern Express
10. Fresh
8. Oliver Show
13. Billyjoh
Betting Strategy
BACK: 4. Northern Express (WIN) for 1 unit (Rated at $7.00)
Northern Express has usually run quite well at Ascot without setting the world alight. He won this last year and has been somewhat plain since but that means he remains on a mark than can take this. The run at the Royal meeting was excellent when finishing ahead of 20 rivals and he’s one of the better travellers who may well be last off the bridle.
BACK: 10. Fresh (WIN) for 1 unit (Rated at $8.00)
Half of Fresh’s 38 career starts have come at Ascot, and he should be fitter after the Newcastle pipe-opener. Drawn what should be the advantageous side and has won this race before, as well as 3rd last year.
9. Teroomm
1. Bullet Point
8. Fearnot
15. Competizione
Betting Strategy
BACK: 9. Teroomm (WIN) for 2 units (Rated at $3.50)
Teroomm didn’t get the room to operate last time and was flying before that. Gets almost a stone off the toppy here and that gives him a huge chance here assuming he is ridden smarter this time.
BACK: 1. Bullet Point (WIN) for 2 units (Rated at $3.50)
Outstanding the last 9 months, bagging a hat trick before 2nd to My Cloud who is something of a freak. That pair accounted for 28 rivals at the Royal meeting and this is an easier race.
Since they’ve ridden him forward he’s barely looked like getting beat so the rise in the weights may still not be enough to stop him. Stable won this last year.
4. Rebel’s Romance
3. Jan Brueghel
1. Calandagan
5. Kalpana
Betting Strategy
BACK: 4. Rebel’s Romance (WIN) for 3 units (Rated at $3.00)
Personally I don’t think there is any reason to have Rebel’s Romance double the price of the front two in the market. He is a global superstar who has battered plenty of more-fancied types throughout his career and outperformed his BSP, and this race is ripe for plunder. The Hardwicke win sitting deep the trip and powering away was immense, with Al Riffa franking the form last time by 5L.
After his Sheema cakewalk last year he went to this race where Coolmore put in a pair of pacemakers that were set alight at the halfway mark just to beat him. He sat right on the heels of that suicidal pace and it was a complete forgive run but full of merit, sticking on for 3rd with the eventual Arc winner in 2nd who had the drop on him.
With a smaller field and much more tactical affair this year it suits him much better. Whilst Jan Brueghel has never lost a duel, he’s also never chased anyone down. Whilst Calandagan has chased loads of his rivals down, he’s never won a duel. Both key rivals have their weaknesses and he could be the one that puts them both in their places.
3. Tenability
4. Criminal
2. Venezuelan
7. Bohemian Breeze
Betting Strategy
BACK: 3. Tenability (WIN) for 4 units (Rated at $2.00)
Tenability showed a ton of ability last time at Windsor, shooting a mile clear to win by 8L. Didn’t show any signs of stopping so the step up in trip should be in his favour as will the genuine summer ground (didn’t seem to handle synth)
2. Tropical Storm
1. Aramram
14. Rhythm n Hooves
5. Vintage Clarets
Betting Strategy
BACK: 2. Tropical Storm (WIN) for 2 units (Rated at $4.00)
Plenty of horses who flopped in the King Charles sprint at Royal Ascot have returned to form, and I see no reason why Tropical Storm can’t do the same. Never looked likely to win after a furlong and might’ve just been a bad day but the same could be said for Rumstar who bolted in next time, as has Washington Heights.
I expect a bold run here.
