Well-drawn Punchbowl can get in the Wokingham mix

Chesham Stakes 2.30 Royal Ascot Key trends

●Rated within 9lb of RPR top-rated, eight winners in last ten runnings

●Raced just once, 8/10 (four had won)

●By a sire with a stamina index of at least 8.7f, 7/10

●Recorded Topspeed figure of at least 63, 7/10

●Adjusted RPR of at least 95, 6/10

Other factors

In 2017 September became the first winner to have previously won over 7f since Bach in 1999 (both trained by Aidan O’Brien).

The record of fillies is 2-34.

Verdict

Once-raced winners with stamina in their pedigree tend to fare well and the vote goes to Point Lonsdale, who also recorded a decent Topspeed figure in his impressive Curragh maiden debut win. Great Max also fulfils those criteria and is next best.

Jersey Stakes 3.05 Royal Ascot Key trends

●Adjusted RPR of at least 122, 8/10

●First or second in one or both of last two starts, 8/10

●Rated within 6lb of RPR top-rated, 8/10

●Ran in a Guineas, 7/10

●Ran in a Classic trial, 6/10

Other factors

Six winners had yet to win as a three-year-old.

Five winners had yet to win over the trip.

Verdict

Creative Force and Bellosa are both unbeaten in lower grades this season and merit respect, but preference is for Classic form. The 2,000 Guineas fourth Naval Crown holds obvious claims, but Mutasaabeq, who finished seventh at Newmarket, may appreciate the drop back to 7f more and earns the vote.

Hardwicke Stakes 3.40 Royal Ascot Key trends

●Group-race winner, 10/10

●Adjusted RPR of at least 128, 10/10

●Rated within 8lb of RPR top-rated, 10/10

●Aged four, 9/10

●Finished in the first three in a Listed or Group race that season, 9/10

●Top-two finish last time out, 9/10

●Distance winner, 8/10

Other factors

Six winners scored last time out.

Five winners were RPR top-rated.

Verdict

The best ploy is to side with a four-year-old who won last time out. Progressive handicapper Ilaraab fits that profile, but Group-race form is preferred, so Hukum is favoured. Wonderful Tonight makes her reappearance, but she fares well on trends and will appreciate the rain.

Diamond Jubilee Stakes 4.20 Royal Ascot Key trends

●Adjusted RPR of at least 127, 10/10

●Top-three finish within last two starts, 10/10

●No older than five, 9/10

●Group or Listed winner over 6f, 9/10

Other factors

Only four winners had scored earlier in the season.

Three winners had run in the race the year before, finishing 278, while six winners had contested a previous Royal Ascot (one won, two placed and three unplaced).

Verdict

There’s no doubting Starman’s

potential, but his price looks short for a race in which previous Royal Ascot form comes to the fore, especially when considering his only visit ended in a heavy defeat. Art Power and Nahaarr finished behind at York last time, but both have proved they act here with the last named favoured. Glen Shiel and Dream Of Dreams, runner-up in the last two years, are older than ideal, but both are solid otherwise.

Wokingham Stakes 5.00 Royal Ascot Key trends

●Distance winner, 9/10

●Officially rated between 98 and 105, 9/10

●Aged four or five, 8/10

●Top-four finish last time out, 8/10

●Rated within 4lb of RPR top-rated, 7/10

● Carried no more than 9st 3lb, 7/10

●Won over 7f, 6/10

Other factors

Four winners were drawn between 12 and 22, four in one to 11 and two between 23 and 31.

Six winners had won or been placed in a field of at least 18 runners.

Verdict

Best on the trends is the inform Punchbowl Flyer, who has a nice pitch in stall 19 and is suited by a stiff 6f. Pendleton is respected, although he may prefer an easier 6f. Best of those drawn low is last year’s Silver Wokingham winner Chiefofchiefs, who looks sure run a big race. King’s Lynn is well handicapped, but his best form is over 5f. Hey Jonesy won this last year off a similar mark and cannot be taken lightly.

Queen Alexandra Stakes 6.10 Royal Ascot Key trends

●Officially rated 90-plus, 10/10

●Adjusted RPR at least 113, 9/10

●Aged five to eight, 8/10 (both exceptions older)

●Contested a Group or Listed race since last season, 8/10

●Top-six finish in race over 2m2f-plus, 8/10

●Rated within 7lb of RPR top-rated, 7/10

●Drawn nine or higher, 7/10

Other factors

Only one winner had been successful previously in the same season.

Verdict

Who Dares Wins won narrowly from The Grand Visir last year and merit respect again. However, this looks a stronger edition and the three to hit all trends are Withhold, Barbados and Stratum. Withhold has the maximum 5lb penalty to contend with, so the vote goes to Stratum, whose yard has enjoyed plenty of success in the staying races at this meeting in recent times.