Royal Ascot Friday tips: Best bets for ITV action on day 4, June 21

There's two Group 1s at Royal Ascot on Friday afternoon, the Commonwealth Cup (1505) and the Coronation Stakes (1545).

There's also a Group 2, a Group 3 and three handicaps, so we have plenty to get stuck into.

We begin with a quick run through our Friday tips, with the reasons why we've picked them further down the page.

If you fancy a punt or two, check out the Planet Sport race centre which will show you all the live odds, racecards and results.

Good luck and please gamble responsibly.

(Please be aware selections could become non-runners after article's first publication)

 

Friday quick tips for Royal Ascot:

14:30 (Royal Ascot) Fairy Godmother

15:05 (Royal Ascot) Inisherin

15.45 (Royal Ascot) Opera Singer

16:25 (Royal Ascot) Sea King

17:05 (Royal Ascot) Indelible

17:40 (Royal Ascot) Space Legend

18:15 (Royal Ascot) Mukaafah

 

14:30 (Royal Ascot) Fairy Godmother

Fairy Godmother should take all the beating for Aidan O’Brien in the Albany Stakes, which looks one of the weaker juvenile races of the week.

Beaten by Sparkling Sea on debut when green, she turned the tables next time out in Group Three company.

 

15:05 (Royal Ascot) Inisherin

With two of his major rivals late withdrawals, the way now appears pretty clear for Inisherin to win the Commonwealth Cup.

Bucanero Fuerte misses the race due to travel sickness, while ante-post favourite Vandeek has also been ruled out.

Inisherin was already challenging Vandeek at the head of the market having beaten last year’s Prix Morny and Middle Park winner at Haydock.

The Kevin Ryan-trained Inisherin did have the benefit of race fitness that day, having reappeared with a very creditable run in the 2000 Guineas when he took the field along for much of the contest before fading into sixth.

It was was a pretty sharp drop in trip to six furlongs for the Sandy Lane but he certainly does not lack for pace and had to be supplemented for this, with connections believing all winter they had a miler on their hands.

Now the trip conundrum is sorted, he can prove a real force to be reckoned with.

 

15.45 (Royal Ascot) Opera Singer

O’Brien’s confidence behind Opera Singer in the Coronation Stakes is infectious and she rates the best bet on day four.

Last year’s champion juvenile filly, her spring was interrupted by a setback which ruled her out of the 1000 Guineas.

She did make it back in time to run in the Irish equivalent but the Ballydoyle handler made everyone aware she would be far from 100 per cent and it had been a rush to get her there.

The inference was that the Curragh Classic would put her spot on for this contest, so the fact she was able to run so well in third behind Fallen Angel paints her in a very favourable light.

With Fallen Angel missing the race due to a late setback, her main dangers are Newmarket winner Elmalka and the French challenger Ramatuelle, who could be better suited to going round a bend.

However, the memory of Opera Singer winning her last two races of 2023 by an aggregate of 11 and a half lengths lives in the memory.

 

16:25 (Royal Ascot) Sea King

Sea King was a rare April winner for Sir Mark Prescott and it seems noteworthy he has kept his powder dry for the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes since and is worth a shout each-way.

Crystal Black bids for a 2024 hat-trick following a neck victory at the Curragh and has strong chance to score again.

Willie Mullins' Ethical Diamond ticks plenty of boxes, while Deakin could go close after delivering a neck second on seasonal return behind Crystal Black at the Curragh.

 

17:05 (Royal Ascot) Indelible

Ralph Beckett’s Indelible is surely a Pattern winner in waiting based on her pedigree along but a handicap mark of 91 was too good to pass up in the Sandringham Stakes.

By Shamardal and out of Midday, it was surprising she was as big as 9/1 for her seasonal return, even with a 7lb penalty against the highly-regarded Amphius, who is also owned by Juddmonte.

She showed a really willing attitude that day and will be staying on stronger than most.

 

17:40 (Royal Ascot) Space Legend

Space Legend is one of the many big-money purchases for Wathnan Racing prior to the meeting and he looks a shrewd one in the King Edward VII Stakes.

He possibly should have won last time out at Goodwood but having just his third race, Tom Marquand was caught out of his ground as Meydaan kicked clear.

When he got a run he flew home, with the line coming two strides too soon as he was beaten a neck, but this son of Sea The Stars looks sure to improve.

 

18:15 (Royal Ascot) Mukaafah

Kevin Philippart de Foy’s Mukaafah looked a different proposition when winning on his handicap debut at Doncaster off a mark of 84.

He is up 8lb for the Palace of Holyrood House Stakes but could still be ahead of his mark and sneak into the places.