Royal Ascot 2018 horse racing tips: Runners to back on Day Two

Standard Sport runs the rule over the horses to back on Day Two at Royal Ascot 2018.

The second day doesn’t feature the same class of horse as day one, but it packs in some fiercely competitive handicaps for punters.

Along with some intriguing betting heats, The Prince of Wales’s Stakes and The Queen Mary Stakes take centre stage with a range of trips and race categories on offer on day two.

Race 1, 2.30pm, The Queen Mary Stakes

Chelsea Cloisters: Wesley Ward has plenty of very fast juveniles to measure this filly against, and she impressed when making a winning debut at Keeneland in April. There has been strong market support in the lead up to Royal Ascot, and a traditional display of exuberant speed could soon have a useful field off the bridle in her wake.

Race 2, 3.05pm, The Queen's Vase

Southern France: Aidan O'Brien's colt comes to Royal Ascot completely unexposed after winning two of his three career starts so far, and was notably heavily backed when narrowly winning a listed prize at Navan in May. There is loads of improvement to come as his stamina is drawn out, and this first run on decent fast turf will definitely suit given how strongly he travels on the bridle.

Race 3, 3.40pm, The Duke of Cambridge Stakes

Aljazzi: Marco Botti's classy mare made an encouraging return to the fray when finishing third in a Sandown Group 2, forced to race wide throughout and just getting tired up the hill as lack of a run told. She finished a cracking second in this valuable race last year, and seems sure to go very well with conditions ideal and the opposition having an opposable look.

Race 4, 4.20pm, The Prince of Wales's Stakes

Eminent: Martyn Meade's stable star seemed to go amiss when finishing a tailed off last in the Huxley Stakes at Chester on his return, racing freely and beaten before the home turn despite being hammered down to long odds-on favouritsim beforehand. He was very progressive last season after landing the Group 3 Craven on his seasonal debut, and it is worth chancing that he will bounce back to his best for his excellent trainer (certainly the current price around 25/1 is well over the odds if he can be revived).

Race 5, 5pm, The Royal Hunt Cup

Afaak: Charlie Hills 4-y-o has a progressive profile and ideal conditions, with his latest York win in May a career best effort on the fast ground. He seems sure to relish the huge field and true run race, with his proven stamina sure to count for plenty at the business end

Race 6, 5.35pm, The Jersey Stakes

Expert Eye: Sir Michael Stoute's highly regarded type has not been at his best on either run this season, making little impression behind Saxon Warrior in the 2000 Guineas. He remains with potential based on his juvenile form, and this step back in trip to seven furlongs could help him fulfil the earlier promise with more positive tactics on the cards.

Tips provided by bettingexpert.com