Value Scope: Each way horseracing tips from Steve Jones for Royal Ascot on ITV. The ace tipster will be writing a column for all five days of the Royal Ascot meeting and has four tips for day one of the unmissable race fixture.
Put the flags out for BUNTING (5.00) in the Ascot Stakes. He was a bit unlucky when third in the Cesarewitch last year and this 2m4f test of stamina should suit him perfectly. Had he not been shuffled back towards the rear in the early stages and then run into traffic later on, he might well have won that prestigious Newmarket marathon. He has only run over hurdles since and should appreciate getting back on the Flat. Willie Mullins – who has won this race four times in the last 14 years – has booked excellent 7lb-claiming apprentice Harry Vigors to ride. Have 1pt each-way at 12-1. Several bookies are paying out on six places.
CUT A DASH (3.05) looked very smart when making a successful debut at York's Dante Meeting. He steps up in distance in the Coventry Stakes and horses who have won over 5f have a good record in Royal Ascot's top race for two-year-olds. His speed will make him a dangerous opponent. Have 1pt each-way at 10-1. Sky Bet is offering five places.
I cannot resist chancing STARLUST (3.40) in the King Charles III Stakes. He was a fast-finishing fourth in this Group 1 sprint last year before heading off to stud in Australia. His post-racing career did not go to plan, so he is back in training with Ralph Beckett and it is not hard to imagine he will improve a stack for his comeback run at Carlisle. He has run well in other top-level sprints, including when third in the 2024 Nunthorpe at York, and he has way more class than his price of 40-1 suggests. Plenty of firms go five places.
ENFJAAR (5.35) had the door shut in his face early in the straight before running on into fourth in this Listed contest 12 months ago. It is not stretching the imagination too far to suggest he might have won with a clearer passage and he has only run twice since. His close third in a Listed race run at an unsuitably slow early pace was an excellent return to action. Have 1pt each-way at 11-1. Most bookies are paying four places.
