Fans and punters will once again enjoy a five-day stretch of racing at the Royal Ascot Festival in 2022. The races are set to commence on Tuesday 14 June and run through until Saturday 18 June.
All 36 races are scheduled to take place as per usual, with seven events happening on Day 1, kicking off with the Queen Anne Stakes at 2.30pm.
Royal Ascot Festival Day 1: Tuesday Race Card June 14, 2022
With the popularity of the Royal Procession rivalling that of the actual races, it’s no surprise that Day 1 of this historic event draws in the largest attendance.
Gates open midmorning, and by 2.30 pm, the Queen Anne Stakes initiates a full day of racing.
| Time | Race |
| 14:30 | Queen Anne Stakes |
| 15:05 | Coventry Stakes |
| 15:40 | King’s Stand Stakes |
| 16:20 | St James’s Palace Stakes |
| 17:00 | Ascot Stakes |
| 17:35 | Wolferton Stakes |
| 18:10 | Copper Horse Stakes |
Royal Ascot Festival Day 1 Betting Tips
Note: the previews below refer to the 2021 Royal Ascot Festival; check back in closer to race day for the latest tips and predictions for 2022.
Our horse racing expert Enda McElhinney shares his tips for every race on the card from Day 1 of the Royal Ascot Festival.
14:30 – Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1, 1m)
He’s now Europe’s leading miler and PALACE PIER is hard to oppose in the Queen Anne for the Gosdens and Frankie Dettori. He won the St James’s Palace here last summer and had excuses on Champions Day (testing ground/lost a shoe) when third in the QEII. He won the Lockinge last month and a fourth Group 1 win beckons.
Order Of Australia could have more to offer at this trip, while Ballydoyle stablemate Lope Y Fernandez should be better than he showed at Newbury. Top Rank was third in the Lockinge and might be one for each-way players to consider again.
Selection: Palace Pier @ 2/5
15:05 – Coventry Stakes (Group 2, 6f)
Wesley Ward appears very sweet on his filly KAUFYMAKER despite what is a strong field for the Coventry Stakes. She impressed at Keeneland (4½f) and seemingly has been working well on grass since. Her trainer feels she’s a relaxed filly and will get this new trip; so she’s set for a major role under John Velasquez.
Gisburn looked useful on second start at Newbury and looks the best of Richard Hannon’s two. He was behind Berkshire Shadow on debut, so Andrew Balding’s charge is also shortlisted at a big price. Ebro River offered lots to work on when winning the Listed National Stakes at Sandown (5f) and is also in the mix for Hugo Palmer.
Selection: Kaufymaker @ 4/1
15:40 – King’s Stand Stakes (Group 1, 5f)
The filly Winter Power looked very good from the front at York last month on her return but how will she cope with BATTAASH showing his blistering early speed now? Charlie Hills’ sprinting star won this well last year, ending doubts about this track, and was unbeaten in three 2020 starts. He’s also 4-4 on seasonal comebacks and is the one they all have to fear despite mention of a hindered preparation.
July Cup winner Oxted drops to 5f for the first time, while Liberty Beach and Que Amoro need considering for places. Perhaps King’s Lynn is on an upward curve for Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy at four after overhauling Moss Gill at Haydock recently in a Listed race. He could find the frame at decent odds if so.
Selection: Battaash @ 9/4
16:20 – St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1, 1m)
Newmarket’s 2000 Guineas winner Poetic Flare has contested two more Group 1s since. Jim Bolger’s star is tough but maybe that’s a worry. Chindit and BATTLEGROUND didn’t seem to handle the Rowley Mile undulations in that Classic and Ryan Moore’s mount – winner of the Chesham at this meeting a year ago – gets the nod to bounce back today. He’s an imposing son of War Front with plenty more in his locker this year for Ballydoyle.
Selection: Battleground @ 11/2
17:00 – Ascot Stakes (Handicap, 2m4f)
The recent record of WP Mullins in this race ensures M C Muldoon and Rayapour command major respect. Ryan Moore is on the former and a big bid is likely forthcoming from them. Cape Gentleman is another leading Irish raider but TRUMPET MAN was doing good work late on in the Chester Cup last month after meeting some traffic woes on the Roodee. Mark Johnston’s gelded son of Golden Horn could relish this new trip and is a sound each-way option under Franny Norton as such.
Selection: Trumpet Man @ 14/1
17:35 – Wolferton Stakes (Listed, 1m2f)
Patrick Sarsfield, Solid Stone and Forest Of Dean are hovering at the top of the market and each is respected, with slight preference for John & Thady Gosden’s Winter Derby winner on his first turf run since 2019. He’s been in good form on the all-weather this year.
BLUE CUP justified strong market support when winning with plenty in hand at Epsom 11 days ago. On the strength of that showing, the David Menuisier runner fully merits a go in Listed company and it’s possible he can maintain his upward curve in a race where there will be sufficient pace for him to take aim at.
Selection: Blue Cup @ 17/2
18:10 – Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap, 1m6f)
Saldier was an easy winner recently in Ireland for Willie Mullins on his first Flat start in four years but this is a much more exacting test for him and he’s got a penalty to carry for his trouble. Global Storm and Brilliant Light are possible improvers for Godolphin but so, too, may be THRONE HALL for Kevin Ryan. Victorious over 1m2f on comeback at Doncaster in March, the Kingman gelding has run well in defeat since at Thirsk and York (both 1m4f) and could find more improvement at this new trip.
Selection: Throne Hall @ 10/1
*All odds correct at time of writing
