Royal Ascot: Templegate's Magnificent Seven to back in Flat racing's biggest week of the year

ROYAL ASCOT is the jewel in the crown of the Flat racing season – and this year's looks like being better than ever.

There's the legendary Stradivarius going for a fourth Gold Cup, a red-hot Australian runner in Nature Strip… and the return of the unstoppable Baaeed.

But there's plenty of money to be won from a load of other superstars too.

Some of them are well known, some may have slipped under the radar.

Here, Sun Racing's Steve Mullen picks out his best seven horses to follow over the five days.

CITY WALK (Saeed Bin Suroor)

What? Wokingham Stakes

When? Saturday, June 18

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Odds: 25-1

You may think it’s crazy to follow a horse for Royal Ascot that has just finished last in a Ripon handicap but he was almost knocked over when making his challenge and Pat Cosgrave had to slam the brakes on.

He has the potential to improve over the six-furlong trip of the Wokingham and is worth a look each-way at 25-1.

GO BEARS GO (David Loughnane)

What? Commonwealth Cup

When? Friday, June 17

Odds: 10-1

He was beaten on the nod in last year’s Norfolk Stakes and has progressed well since, winning an Ascot Group 3 on comeback before an unlucky fourth at Haydock last time when he stumbled at the start.

He is 10-1 for the Commonwealth Cup and looks worth an each-way bet.

HIGHFIELD PRINCESS (John Quinn)

What? Platinum Jubilee Stakes

When? Saturday, June 18

Odds: 12-1

She enjoyed dropping back to six furlongs to take the Group 2 Duke Of York Stakes on the Knavesmire in style last month.

A bit of cut in the ground seemed to suit but it was rattling fast when she won the Buckingham Palace Stakes at last year’s Royal meeting.

This has earned her a crack at the Platinum Jubilee Stakes where she has a strong each-way chance at around 12-1.

JUAN DE MONTALBAN (Kevin Phillipart De Foy)

What? Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes

When? Friday, June 17

Odds: N/A

This four-year-old has improved since moving to his current trainer and showed a real liking for Ascot when winning a hot handicap with plenty in the tank last month.

He looks tailor made for the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap with further progression likely.

MY ASTRA (William Haggas)

What? TBD

When? TBD

Odds: N/A

She came right back to her best on tacky ground to take a Listed contest in style at Ayr last time out.

This showed her liking for 1m2f and can move into Group company given she has just five runs under belt.

NOBLE STYLE (Charlie Appleby)

What? Coventry Stakes

When? Tuesday, June 14

Odds: 3-1

He heads the Coventry Stakes betting after an impressive effort on debut at Ascot last month.

He travelled strongly before leaving some useful rivals behind in the closing stages. He can take a step up from that and looks hard to beat.

SOLID STONE (Sir Michael Stoute)

What? Wolferton Stakes

When? Tuesday, June 14

Odds: N/A

He was a good third in the Wolferton Stakes for Sir Michael Stoute last season in the same colours sported by Desert Crown.

He warmed up for another crack at that contest with a smooth success at Chester’s May meeting.

He saw out the 1m2f well there and can at least repeat last year’s podium effort later this month.

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