UK Horse Racing Tips

This summer, tens of thousands of flat racing fanatics will travel to Ascot for Royal Ascot – one of the highlights of the racing season. Every year, the fastest thoroughbreds compete in some of the most prestigious races of the calendar year and this summer will be no different as the best trainers, jockeys and owners battle it out on the big stage.

The meeting spans five days and plenty of famous faces are usually spotted throughout the week, including the Royal Family and other celebrities. In fact, the Queen’s horse Estimate was actually crowned winner of the Ascot Gold Cup back in 2013 and Her Majesty’s delight was evident from the beaming smile on her face.

With eight Group One races, Royal Ascot truly is one of the sporting highlights of the summer and you can keep up with all of the latest Royal Ascot tips and news via Coral’s website. Who knows, there might even be a few hurdle horses – such as the Mullins-trained Limini – who features this year, she’s certainly capable of switching to the flat.

But this year is all about finding a horse that can emulate the legendary Frankel. The late Sir Henry Cecil-trained colt was phenomenal on his day before retiring to stud and won a number of races at Royal Ascot. Now, he has his own statue overlooking the winner’s enclosure and spectators may be treated to the next big flat racing legend with a bit of luck this summer.

As previously mentioned, Limini may make the switch to the flat ground this summer after struggling to impress over hurdles at Cheltenham and Aintree but there are plenty of other thoroughbreds that could follow in her tracks. Our Thomas and Mysteree, are two possible contenders across jumps and flats and Coral writer David Metcalf may be offering Royal Ascot tips on these two should they make the switch.

If nothing else, the 2016 Royal Ascot meeting will be a festival of fun and entertainment, culminating in the Ascot Gold Cup. The Queen won’t have a runner in this year’s event but there will still be plenty of reason to tune in and watch one of the most exciting and prestigious races in the sport. And with horses travelling at up to 35 miles per hour, it will be both fast and furious…

The fact that Aidan O’Brien sends Claudio Monteverdi across the Irish Sea for the Investec Derby Trial (2.30) at Epsom on Wednesday as his sole representative of the afternoon may be a hint worth taking. The Galileo colt has raced exclusively over a mile so far, but has suggested on all three starts that the step up to middle distances will be in his favour. He confirmed the promise of his never-nearer fourth of 25, beaten 4¼ lengths, behind Embiran in a maiden at the Curragh last month when comfortably winning a similar race at Leopardstown two weeks ago and looks a force to be reckoned with, despite his relative inexperience. Indeed, the form of his Leopardstown win has already been franked by stable companion The Gurkha, who hacked up by 9 lengths in a Navan maiden on Sunday so, provided he handles the idiosyncrasies of Epsom, he appears to have an outstanding chance.

Selection: Epsom 2.30 Claudio Monteverdi to win

In the Coral Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (4.45) at Ayr on Friday, Rons Dream proved no match for Vroum Vroum Mag and company in the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last month but, back in a handicap, off the same mark as when second over 2 miles 4½ furlongs at Cheltenham in December, she has a realistic chance of a return to the winners’ enclosure. That form has worked out well enough in any case, but her last win came over 3 miles 1½ furlongs, so stepping back up to 3 miles is in her favour and she’s fully effective on the prevailing soft ground. The Kayf Tara mare could only finish fourth in this race last year, but has officially improved 12lb in the interim and, with underfoot conditions in her favour, could fare significantly better this time around.

Selection: Ayr 4.45 Rons Dream to win

The 2016 Grand National is almost here and I’m sure you’re chomping at the bit in anticipation as much as I am. It’s hard to argue though, that there’s often a lottery aspect to the National. With such a large field and a gruelling course to traverse, no matter your racing knowledge, there’s a ‘shot in the dark’ aspect to the race. With that in mind here’s five tips / recommendations for the 2016 Grand National. No matter what you go for best of luck!

1) Many Clouds – A somewhat obvious choice considering it was last year’s winner and has continued to impress since. It’s not carrying much more weight and at 7-1 it could be said to be the one to beat. How many times do we see a favourite falter at the Grand National though? More often than not!

2) Silviniaco Conti – Trained by Paul Nicholls and currently available at 12-1 Silviniaco Conti has won seven group one races (as well as two King George VI Chases) so is really up to the task if he clears the hurdles. It wouldn’t be the biggest surprise in the world to see it go close or even win.

3) Onenightinvienna – I couldn’t complete the list without a big priced shot in the dark (50-1). It’s not uncommon for a horse with big or even huge odds to win the Grand Nation so here is our outsider of choice. Onenightinvienna jumps well (which doesnt hurt in the national!) and if the ground is on the soft side he might pull out one of his better performances, so it’s worth an each way shot at least.

Should you specifically be looking to bet on outsiders in the grand national in the hope of winning big, you could do worse than seeing what the Outsider blog has to say on the matter!