Key clashes to look forward to at Royal Ascot

By News Team
18th June 2024

Royal Ascot 2024 is on the horizon, bringing the finest horse racing action. As the world’s best horses, jockeys, and trainers converge, the stage is set for some thrilling showdowns.

Here we’ll highlight the key clashes that promise to captivate racing enthusiasts and bettors alike. Discover the top contenders, their odds, and why these matchups are the ones to watch.

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Notable Speech vs Rosallion – St James’s Palace Stakes (Tue. 4:25pm)

One highly anticipated clash at Ascot occurs in the St James’s Palace Stakes, featuring 2,000 Guineas winner Notable Speech against Irish 2,000 Guineas victor Rosallion. They previously faced off at Newmarket, where they finished first and second respectively. Betting markets suggest a repeat outcome at Royal Ascot, with the Godolphin horse Notable Speech favoured at 5/4, and Rosallion next in the betting at 7/2.

Rosallion and Sean Levey led earlier than ideal at Newmarket but timed their charge late in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, narrowly defeating stablemate, Haatem. Adjusting tactics and another delayed challenge could see Notable Speech and Rosallion’s positions reversed at Royal Ascot.

Auguste Rodin vs Inspiral – Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (Wed. 4:25pm)

The next eagerly anticipated showdown features the clash between 2023 Derby hero, Auguste Rodin, and the seasoned winner Inspiral, seeking her 10th career victory. Auguste Rodin enters as the strong favourite at 7/4, despite lacklustre performances in his last two reappearance runs – finishing 12th in the 2023 2,000 Guineas and last in the recent Sheema Classic at Meydan. However, his promising Gold Cup performance at Curragh suggested a run was necessary.

Inspiral follows closely in the market at 5/2, backed by the confidence of connections with the decision to run in this race and the consistent performance record under John & Thady Gosden. This upcoming battle promises to be a race to remember on Wednesday.

Continuous vs Middle Earth – Hardwicke Stakes (Sat. 3:05pm)

This year’s Ascot Hardwicke Stakes is set up to be a good one, with two eye-catching horses at the top of the market set to take each other on. The first being Continuous who progressed well last season as a three-year-old, winning two Group races including the Great Voltigeur at York and the St Leger at Doncaster. The return to a mile and a half shouldn’t be a problem, and his pure speed might be too much for the field to handle which is also shown in the market as he is 6/4.

Middle Earth very much caught the eye on his return in the Aston Park Stakes at Newbury under Oisin Murphy. He did really well to run down King of Conquest up against the rail – the Godolphin horse has gone on to win boosting this form. Middle Earth will for sure provide hot competition for Continuous at 11/4 and there is a strong possibility that he could grind down Continuous’ early pace in the closing stages in a similar fashion to his run at Newbury.

Aidan O’Brien vs John & Thady Gosden

Another clash that will undoubtedly become apparent over the week is between Aidan O’Brien and the father-son duo, John and Thady Gosden. Aidan O’Brien, a 12-time top trainer at Royal Ascot, has saddled a record 85 winners at this prestigious meeting.

John Gosden, who has achieved notable success at Royal Ascot with 64 winners both on his own and in partnership with his son Thady, presents a formidable challenge. However, the odds heavily favour O’Brien to finish as the top trainer at this year’s meet, with a price of 1/5, while John and Thady Gosden are offered at a much longer price of 12/1.