What a Saturday of racing ahead with the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, a super competitive card at Ascot, the Grade 1 Champion Chase at Down Royal and the final race day of 2021 at Newmarket.

The Champion Chase at Down Royal is a fascinating renewal, and it would be great to see Frodon come out on top here, however the Gold Cup winner Minella Indo is a worthy favourite. At Wetherby in the Charlie Hall Chase Cyrname is rightly favourite and goes well fresh but last season’s form figures of 1PP do not inspire total confidence and the exciting Shan Blue Unibet 11/4 could turn over the market leader here.

Enjoy whether #athome or on a racecourse.

Cheers

The Wine Tipster

2.10 Ascot – Bateaux London Handicap Hurdle Listed Race (1m 7½f)

Soaring Glory looked the real deal when winning Newbury’s big February handicap and then didn’t quite hit the level in the Supreme at Cheltenham when fourth to the top class Appreciate It. However, he is more than capable of striking here, having won on debut at Chepstow last season beating Bravemansgame and Soaring Glory has a bumper win at Ascot on his CV too.

Unibet 5/1 win

Global Citizen has plenty of top-class form with two Grade 2 Hurdle wins and two Grade 2 Chase successes. Of course, last season’s form figures aren’t enticing with PPP but he was racing in very competitive races and this nine-year-old cab bounce back. Global Citizen has dropped to a mark of 142 and was second in this race three years ago on seasonal debut. His trainer Ben Pauling has his yard in top form right now.

Unibet 18/1 each way

2.23 Newmarket – Handicap (1m)

Noble Dynasty had absolutely no luck in running at Haydock last time out when finishing fifth and surely is better than his current mark of 95. He has finished second on his two appearances on the Rowley Mile and can go one better day with cheekpieces fitted.

Unibet 2/1 win

3.20 Ascot – Bateaux London Gold Cup Handicap Chase Grade 2 (3m)

Sojourn (nap) looked impressive when winning a good Handicap Chase at Carlisle on seasonal debut last year with the placed runners having performed well since. He was then a good second to Sam’s Adventure (subsequently won Eider) in the Tommy Whittle at Haydock ahead of being pulled up quickly in the Grand National Trial, having suffered a wound in his right-hind leg. Whilst he is seen as a heavy ground performer, he won a bumper on good going, has a great record fresh and a breathing operation may help too.

Unibet 6/1 each way

One More Fleurie won four of his last five starts last season and looked so visually impressive at Ayr on Scottish Grand National Day when jumping impeccably to win the Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase easily on good going. He has to prove he is as effective going right-handed and he did win on soft at Warwick, with little rain forecast for today at Ascot ground should be fine.

Unibet 10/1 each way

3.55 Ascot – Stella Artois Novices’ Hurdle (1m 7½f)

Peking Rose is a very interesting hurdling debutant for Unibet Ambassador Fergal O’ Brien. Peking Rose won on debut at Carlisle and then on his last start in April finished second to Knappers Hill (won this month on hurdling debut) when doing all his best work at the finish in a hot bumper at Aintree.

Ground will suit and if he settles well he has a good chance here.

Unibet 100/30 win

As we approach Midsummer’s Day, Royal Ascot arrives in style on the 15th-19th June. A pinnacle of British horseracing, Royal Ascot is synonymous with style, prestige and, of course, Her Majesty The Queen. Whether you are celebrating At Home or In Person, The Wine Tipster has all the tips and tricks for making this year’s Royal Ascot unforgettable.

Since the introduction of The Gold Cup in 1807, Royal Ascot has stormed into the history books as Britain’s most valuable race meeting where the world’s finest talent competes for over £7 million of prize money. Each of the five days are opened by a Royal Procession, a tradition started by King George IV and which continues to this day.

This year, The Wine Tipster is especially excited for the top races on all five days of the meeting:

Tuesday 15th June

• 2:30 Queen Anne Stakes Group 1, 1m, 4yo+, ITV
• 3.05 Coventry Stakes Group 2, 6f, 2yo ITV
• 3:40 The King’s Stand Stakes Group 1, 1m, 3yo+, ITV
• 4:20 The St James’ Palace Stakes Group 1, 1m, 3yo colts, ITV4
• 5:00 Ascot Stakes Handicap, Class 2, 2m3f, 4yo+, ITV4
• 5:35 Wolferton Stakes, Listed Race, Class 1, 1m1f, 4yo+, ITV4
• 6:10 Copper Horse Stakes Handicap, Class 2, 1m6f, 4yo+, ITV4

Wednesday 16th June

• 2:30 Queen Mary Stakes Group 2, 5f, 2yo, ITV
• 3:05 Queen’s Vase Group 2, 1m6f, 3yo, ITV
• 3:40 Duke of Cambridge Stakes Group 2, 1m, 4yo+ fillies and mares, ITV
• 4:20 The Prince of Wales’ Stakes Group 1, 1m2f, 4yo+, ITV
• 5:00 Royal Hunt Cup, Heritage Handicap, 1m, 3yo+, ITV
• 5:35 Windsor Castle Stakes Listed Race, 5f, 2yo, ITV
• 6:10 Kensington Palace Stakes Heritage Handicap, 1m, 4yo+ ITV4

Thursday 17th June

• 2:30 Norfolk Stakes Group 2, 5f, 2yo, ITV4
• 3:05 Hampton Court Stakes Group 3, 1m2f, 3yo, ITV4
• 3:40 Ribblesdale Stakes Group 2, 1m4f, 3yo fillies, ITV4
• 4:15 Ascot Gold Cup Group 1, 2m4f, 4yo+, ITV
• 5:00 Britannia Stakes Heritage Handicap, 1m, 3yo colts and geldings, ITV4
• 5:35 King George V Stakes Handicap, 1m4f, 3yo, ITV4
• 6:10 Buckingham Palace Stakes Handicap, 7f, 3yo+, ITV4

Friday 18th June

• 2:30 Albany Stakes Group 3, 6f, 2yo fillies, ITV
• 3:05 King Edward VII Stakes Group 2, 1m4f, 3yo colts and geldings, ITV
• 3:40 Commonwealth Cup Group 1, 6f, 3yo colts and fillies, ITV
• 4:20 Coronation Stakes Group 1, 1m, 3yo fillies, ITV
• 5:00 Sandringham Stakes Handicap, 1m, 3yo fillies, ITV
• 5:35 Duke of Edinburgh Stakes Handicap, 1m4f 3yo+, ITV
• 6:10 Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes Handicap, 5f, 3yo, ITV4

Saturday 19th June

• 2:30 Chesham Stakes Listed Race, 7f, 2yo, ITV
• 3:05 Jersey Stakes Group 3, 7f, 3yo, ITV
• 3:40 Hardwicke Stakes Group 2, 1m4f, 4yo+, ITV
• 4:20 Diamond Jubilee Stakes Group 1, 6f, 4yo+, ITV4
• 5:00 Wokingham Stakes Heritage Handicap, 6f, 3yo+, ITV4
• 5:35 Golden Gates Stakes Handicap, 1m2f, 3yo, ITV4
• 6:10 Queen Alexandra Stakes 2m6f, 4yo+, ITV4

To get your bets in, look out for The Wine Tipster’s Unibet Racing blogs for each day of the meeting.

At Ascot

Hospitality is a huge part of the raceday experience, and Ascot typically sees more than 6500 temporary staff join the team to provide the top quality service punters come for. For those on the course this year, you are spoiled for choice with the 5 magnificent fine dining experiences available. Managing Director of 1711 by Ascot, Jonathan Parker, can’t wait to welcome diners back for a memorable Ascot experience. This year, for the special return to racing, there is a Michelin-star studded array of chefs offering the finest gastronomic experiences for the Royal Meeting.

Two Michelin-star chef and Ascot regular, Raymond Blanc OBE will once again be in the Panoramic Restaurant in the Royal Enclosure. His 2021 menu showcases the best of British produce.

For a third year, five Michelin-star chef Simon Rogan will once again be bringing his impeccable standards and sustainability practices to the course. His innovative and delicious menu will be available in the award-winning ON 5 in the Queen Anne Enclosure.

For a brand new dining experience this year, Ollie Dabbous will provide racegoers in The Wolferton on the Trackside Lawns of the Queen Anne Enclosure with an interactive private table experience for a memorable Ascot.

Especially for the 2021 meeting, Rick Stein’s classic summer seafood dishes will make their Ascot debut. This is set to be another spectacular Royal Ascot.

Heralded as the home of raceday elegance, the chance for racegoers to dress to the nines is too exciting an opportunity to pass. The Royal Ascot style guide is a must whether at Ascot or At Home. This year’s 10th Anniversary Royal Ascot Style Guide also celebrates sustainability and the art of conscious shopping as it launches for 2021 in association with Swiss watch brand Longines. In association with Fenwick, the Official Royal Ascot Millinery Sponsor, the 2021 Royal Ascot Millinery Collective is full of high fashion inspiration.

Don’t forget to check the dress code for each enclosure.

At Home

This year, the total maximum capacity for racegoers on all racecourses is 4000 per day, so many will still be celebrating at home. To make life easier, The Royal Ascot Celebration Pack is the perfect way to make celebrating Ascot At Home easy and fun for up to 4 people. Buy yours here in time for the meeting. Check out the Ascot Shop to kit you and your families out with Ascot souvenirs for this and years to come!

You don’t have to miss out on the elegance and style of Ascot while at home, thanks to the Royal Ascot style guide packed full of inspiration for the track or at home. Why not try making your own hat with expert guidance from milliner Awon Golding.

Entertain children (or keen adults) with the Royal Ascot Children’s Activities downloads, and the Royal Ascot History Bingo is a fun way to learn about this momentous meeting.

Over 13,000 flowers are grown each year to ensure the racecourse is fit for royalty. The Royal Ascot Garden Guide has top tips for how to achieve exquisite blooms such as The Queen Anne Rose and how to create beautiful hanging baskets. The Queen Anne Rose was named to celebrate the tercentenary of Ascot Racecourse founded by Queen Anne in 1711 and are now planted all along the track in front of the Grandstand.

Put the fine into fine dining at home thanks to Ascot’s afternoon tea and picnic hampers (from £89.50). Their great selection of traditional afternoon tea and picnic hampers, as well as cocktail boxes, are available to pre-order for nationwide delivery and will be delivered in fully sustainable cardboard containers or premium, Royal Ascot wicker hampers. This can be a guilt-free treat as £5 for each two-person hamper sold and £10 for each six-person hamper sold will be donated to The Tri-Forces charities.

This year, Moët & Chandon’s 10 delicious afternoon tea recipes are also available to download here, provided by Ascot’s Culinary Director Ben Dutson and Executive Chef Gemma Amor who do amazing work across the whole racecourse to make sure every dining experience is to the highest of standards.

To create your own Fine Dining experience at home, 10 recipes from Raymond Blanc OBE and Ben Dutson, Ascot’s Culinary Director, are compiled in the great Royal Ascot Food and Drink Guide. The Wine Tipster is especially excited to make the delicious Coronation Chicken with the Plant-Based Gnocchi with Carrot-Top Pesto and Prosociano.

For the perfect cocktail to accompany Royal Ascot, take your pick from the Food and Drink Guide‘s impressive cocktail selection, developed with Pernod Ricard, Official Spirits of Royal Ascot. The Wine Tipster can’t wait to pair a refreshing Lillet Summer Spritz or Royal Ascot Blush with the summery gnocchi.

On to the wine, and the Ascot Wine Club is stocked full of The Wine Tipster’s favourites, such as the ‘Gris Blanc’, Gérard Bertrand, Pays d’Oc, France 2020, Gavi del Commune di Gavi ‘Fossili’, San Silvestro, Italy 2019 and Malbec, ‘Estate’, Doña Paula, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina 2018.

The Wine Tipster also loves the following bottles for Royal Ascot at Home:

The Wine Tipster hopes that whether you are celebrating Royal Ascot 2021 in person or at home that you have a most wonderful week and some wins! Look out for his Unibet Blog  for tips, and follow him on social media for updates. For blogs straight into your inbox, subscribe here.

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