Royal Ascot returns for the 2025 edition with its iconic blend of elite racing, regal tradition and high-stakes punting.
Spanning five days and featuring 35 races, the meeting is set to offer some of the highest quality flat racing, and this year’s antepost markets are particularly intriguing.
We have scoured the early markets, crunched the numbers and recent form to highlight the five best antepost bets across the week — one per day, each based on experience, course suitability, and current value.
Tuesday: Rosallion – Queen Anne Stakes (14:30)
The curtain-raiser of the week kicks off with a Group 1 bang, and Rosallion looks primed to produce a blockbuster run. The Richard Hannon-trained colt returns to Ascot after a strong third in the Lockinge Stakes, which came after nearly a year off the track. The run should have helped him shake off the cobwebs, and he is now unbeaten in two starts, both at Ascot – including that stunning victory in the St James’s Palace Stakes last year.
With a Timeform rating of 126, he is one of the highest-rated older horses in Europe right now, and more importantly, he is effective on any ground – and still improving. We are making Rosallion our best bet for Day 1.
Wednesday: White Birch – Prince of Wales’s Stakes (16:20)
In the Prince of Wales’ Stakes, Los Angeles is the obvious standout, and given that he is unbeaten this season and heads the market, we would not talk anyone out of backing him. However, the better value for us looks to lie with White Birch, who ran a close third, just over a length behind Los Angeles in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, despite having a nightmare passage where he was repeatedly denied a run.
Trained by John Joseph Murray, White Birch is improving with each appearance and looks to have matured into a top-class middle-distance horse. With a little bit of luck in the running here, he could easily run into the money.
Thursday: Trawlerman – Ascot Gold Cup (16:20)
Given that the reigning champion, Kyprios, is now retired, the Gold Cup looks as wide open as we have seen in recent years, and Trawlerman represents both value and experience in this field. Third in the 2024 Gold Cup, he stayed on strongly for third despite running a little too freely early on – this time around, his prep has been ideal, and he is a more mature runner than last year.
At this stage of his career, Trawlerman is a proven stayer, possesses tactical speed and thrives on the big occasions – all crucial ingredients for this 2m4f slog in a field that lacks a clear dominant force.
Friday: Bedtime Story – Coronation Stakes (16:20)
One of the standout juvenile performances of 2024 came from Bedtime Story, who blitzed her rivals by a staggering nine lengths in the Chesham Stakes at last year’s meeting. Granted, she lost her way somewhat thereafter, but caught the eye again when running on late behind Zarigana at the Longchamp.
That run suggested that the ability is still there, and Ascot could be when she peaks. With Zarigana likely going off odds-on, the value play could be to side with Bedtime Story – a filly who has already proven she can dominate at this venue. A solid each-way punt for us.
Saturday: Jarraaf – Wokingham Stakes (17:00)
On Saturday, Jarraaf could give Owen Burrows a win in the super-competitive Wokingham Handicap. This sprinter thrives on the Ascot grounds, notching up two wins and a close second from three runs at the track, and he certainly showed his class when winning the Shergar Cup Sprint with a storming closing burst.
Now rated 105, Jarraaf will sneak into the field under the radar and looks well-handicapped to go close again. His form on varying ground types and finishing kick make him a strong contender in a race where course knowledge and timing are everything. We make this one of the best each-way value bets for the day.
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