The Five Horses For Welsh Connections To Watch At Royal Ascot

Royal Ascot week is one of the sporting landmarks of the summer and there is Welsh interest across the five days from Tuesday to Saturday. Here's the pick.

 

5. Exclamation
Norfolk Stakes, 2.30 Thursday 

Grace Harris has had just six runners at Ascot and the Gwent stable will look to pull off a major shock in the opener on Ladies' Day.

Her two-year-old has shown some real promise, finishing third in the prestigious Brocklesby before bumping into the smart prospect Ali Shuffle at Chester.

He is 100-1 with DragonBet but could run into a place in an open race.

4. Rohaan 
Wokingham Stakes, 5.00 Saturday

A two-time winner of this race and a legend of Pandy-based David Evans. He saves his best for the six furlongs at Ascot so there is no doubt conditions are to his liking.

He is not quite the force of old but he was a fairly promising third last time out in a 17-runner race at Newbury.

3. Divine Comedy
Ascot Stakes, 5.00 Tuesday

Bargoed-born David Probert enjoyed a breakthrough winner in the Albany at Royal Ascot a few years ago and this looks the pick of a busy week for one of Wales’ top Flat jockeys.

His contender was not beaten too far in this race last year for Newmarket-based Harry Eustace and comes here better off at the weights.

He has, though, been slightly disappointing and needs to step up.

2. Wonder Legend 
Gold Cup, 4.20 Thursday

The adopted Welshman Danny Muscutt, who was brought up in west Wales, has an excellent book of rides and even has a dark horse to look out for in the biggest race of the week.

His Gold Cup runner is being thrown into the deep end here having won handicaps on his last two starts.

He looked very impressive in those races and he looks a proven stayer, unlike some of the more fancied contenders.

1. Glittering Legend
Hampton Court Stakes, 5.35 Thursday

It could be quite the legendary day for Muscutt if the double comes in.

Glittering Legend has a huge chance in this Group 3 contest having looked mightily impressive on his last start at Newcastle.

Racing fans will be quick to knock that form as it was achieved on the all-weather rather than the turf, but he beat a talented horse in second, Bowmark, who went on to run in the French Derby.

This is the most likely winner for Welsh connections and some value at 10/1 with DragonBet.