Your Guide To Royal Ascot 2019 + 944/1 Ante Post Mega Acca

If the Cheltenham Festival is the main event in jumps racing, then Royal Ascot is its equal when it comes to flat racing.

There’s very little that the big meeting doesn’t have, from Her Majesty The Queen attending the action on each of the five days, to international equine superstars from the likes of Australia and America attempting to make a name for themselves against the best that Europe has to offer.

The countdown to this year’s meeting from Tuesday 18th until Saturday 22nd June is well and truly on, so Luke Parkinson has taken a look at what we can expect, including a glance at some of the most lucrative races on the card, and a 944/1 ante-post mega acca which is currently best price with bet365.

Queen Anne Stakes (Tuesday)

Established in 1840, the Queen Anne Stakes is a race that has a long and proud history. Run over the straight mile, it’s an event that includes the likes of Kalanisi, Medicean and the great Frankel amongst its roll of honour.

Frankie Dettori has dominated plenty of its recent history, with the Italian jockey winning this race six times since 1990. His first came with Markofdistinction back in 1990, with his latest coming in 2007 when he guided Ramonti to victory for Saeed bin Suroor.

This year, the betting suggests that Mustashry is the one to beat after he got the better of Laurens in the Lockinge at Newbury. That looks a strong piece of form with Le Brivido and Accidental Agent also in behind him that day.

Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Wednesday)

Some real fans favourites have won the Prince of Wales’s down the year, including Ouija Board, Duke of Marmalade and the well-travelled Highland Reel.

It’s been the boys in blue who have enjoyed most of the luck though, with Godolphin landing five victories in this race since 1998. Faithful Son was the first to get them off the mark, before Dubai Millennium (2000), Fantastic Light (2001), Grandera (2002) and Rewilding (2011) followed suit.

This year they appear to have a few chances with Masar, Ghaiyyath, Old Persian and Thunder Snow all entered, although it’s hard to see past the trio at the top of the market in Sea of Class, Enable and Magical.

That first pair battled out a thrilling climax to the Arc last year, and purists will be hoping to see them renew rivalries once again with a perhaps a reverse of the result.

Gold Cup (Thursday)

There are few better Royal Ascot memories than the Queen shouting home Estimate to Gold Cup victory in her colours back in 2013.

It summed up what the meeting means to Her Majesty and you can be sure she’ll be showing the same kind of enthusiasm for the sport again this year after recently attending Derby Day at Epsom.

She won’t have an entry in the race this year, but plenty of racing royalty will with Stradivarius aiming to make it back to back Gold Cups.

Coronation Stakes (Friday)

The fillies get to take centre stage in Friday’s Coronation Stakes and there are plenty of big names involved, and none bigger than the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas-winning Hermosa.

Her trainer, Aidan O’Brien, won it with a similar profile filly in Winter back in 2017, and also has Coronation Stakes victories with Lille Langtry and Sophisticat.

That makes it appear like Hermosa will take some stopping, although she might have to get the better of the Godolphin-owned Castle Lady who has been ripping up this division over in France.

Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Saturday)

One of Saturday’s big races is the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, an event that often attracts international attention with Black Caviar a memorable winner from Australia in 2012 and the American-trained Undrafted in 2015.

It’s likely to be a similar story this year with plenty of overseas entries, although they may have to get the better of Invincible Army who is well fancied to add another course and distance success.

He is two from two this season, including a smart win in the Duke of York Stakes on the Knavesmire last month.