ROYAL ASCOT DAY FIVE TIPS: Tipster Sam Turner makes his selections

2.30 With four of the last seven runnings going the way of Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien, PEARLS AND RUBIES was always likely to be popular. A winner over five furlongs on debut, the selection did well to win at Navan as she was off the bridle at halfway before picking up strongly, suggesting a stiffer test would suit. Richard Hannon was in the winner’s enclosure on Thursday and LA GUARIDA should go well following her tidy Goodwood win. 

GOODFELLOW’S PICK: PEARLS AND RUBIES

MAIN DANGER: LA GUARIDA

3.05 FRANKEL has enjoyed a terrific week as a sire at Ascot and he could be set for more Group success courtesy of COVEY. The selection bolted up at Haydock in handicap company when last seen and would have been an obvious favourite for a race like the Britannia Stakes but connections prefer to go the Group race route. OLIVIA MARALDA quickened well to score at Epsom on fast ground and should relish conditions.

GOODFELLOW’S PICK: COVEY

MAIN DANGER: OLIVIA MARALDA

Highfield Princess makes a return following a sterling effort in the Kings Stand on day one 

3.40 HIGHFIELD PRINCESS makes a swift return following her fine effort in the King’s Stand on day one and can gain compensation for an unfortunate defeat. She has twice returned to the track as quickly in her career as she does today, and those runs yielded a win and a second. ROHAAN is a different animal on this straight track and should make a bold bid to win for the third straight year here. 

GOODFELLOW’S PICK: HIGHFIELD PRINCESS

MAIN DANGER: ROHAAN

4.20 There is always a concern following a long lay-off through injury whether a horse is willing to put his body on the line once more, but HUKUM certainly looked as good, if not better, at Sandown when quickening smartly to beat Desert Crown last month. He looked a quicker horse that day than before his absence and, providing those exertions have not left their mark, looks the one to beat even in a race with some depth. The returning Pyledriver could prove a sizeable adversary for all if returning in the same form as last year, but DEAUVILLE LEGEND could prove the chief threat, as 12 furlongs on fast ground suits well.

GOODFELLOW’S PICK: HUKUM

MAIN DANGER: DEAUVILLE LEGEND

Lightning Hukum looks back to his best and will be ridden by perfect partner Jim Crowley 

5.00 ORAZIO has been one of the leading fancies for this race since his win over course and distance in May. The handicapper raised the four-year-old by 9lb for that victory, but he still appears to be a prospective Group horse in a handicap. FLAMING RIB is a Group horse in a handicap, given he contested a Group One sprint last autumn. He led inside the final furlong and was beaten narrowly in the Commonwealth Cup 12 months ago, so makes plenty of appeal.

GOODFELLOW’S PICK: FLAMING RIB

MAIN DANGER: ORAZIO

5.35 ZIRYAB impressed at Leicester last time and looks a potential blot on the handicap here. As a reserve, the Kingman colt needed a non-runner to make the race and, although he is unproven over 10 furlongs, there are middle distance winners in his pedigree. LAAFI ran well to take fourth in the Lingfield Derby Trial which produced Thursday’s winner Waipiro and represents a team whom have already won a staying handicap this week.

GOODFELLOW’S PICK: ZIRYAB

MAIN DANGER: LAAFI

6.10 STRATUM has made this race his own in recent times, winning the last two renewals, and a repeat of the turn of foot he displayed 12 months ago would make him tough to overcome today. However, THE GRAND VISIR could be worth chancing each-way as he caught the eye with a nice effort on Tuesday in the staying handicap when slowly away, was third to Stratum in this two years ago and was beaten a neck in 2020.

GOODFELLOW’S PICK: THE GRAND VISIR

MAIN DANGER: STRATUM

Racegoers will be seeking winners in the seven races contested on Saturday at Royal Ascot

The Wizards of Odds 

AL SUHAIL (3.40) – Developed into a very smart six- and seven-furlong performer in Dubai this winter and a strongly run race at today’s trip should be absolutely ideal for a horse who can race a little keenly. 16-1

SPANGLED MAC (5.00) – Performed with great credit to take fourth on Thursday in a warm handicap and has already finished runner-up over course and distance as a three-year-old, so could easily run well again at a tidy price. 33-1

THE GRAND VISIR (6.10) – This grand campaigner is nearly as old as the Wizard, but he was not disgraced in the Ascot Stakes earlier in the week after a slow start and when meeting trouble in running, so could surprise with another big effort. 20-1 

Grand Visir was not not disgraced in the Ascot Stakes earlier in the week after a slow start 

The Placepot Mole – digging for winners  

The Tote Placepot involves selecting a horse to finish placed in races one to six with a chance of winning a large payout for a small stake.

All the money staked goes into a pool which, after deductions, is divided among the winners.

If you choose more than one horse per race, that increases the number of bets or permutations you have. You multiply the number of selections per race to work out how many lines your bet comprises.

Race One

(3) Golden Mind;

(8) Quatre Bas;

(13) Le Guarida.

Race Two

(5) Covey;

(15) Olivia Maralda.

Race Three

(14) Highfield Princess.

Race Four

(8) Free Wind.

Race Five

(5) Tis Marvellous;

(8) Orazio;

(9) Fresh;

(14) Saint Lawrence.

Race Six

(4) Laafi;

(6) Canute;

(13) Knockbrex.

Perm: 72 lines @ 10p

TOTAL STAKE: £7.20