With Royal Ascot on the horizon, we look at the best backed horses ahead of next week’s meeting – but which runner stands to be William Hill’s biggest liability of the week?
The five-day extravaganza from the Berkshire track is one of the marquee events in the betting calendar, and the leading bookmaker can reveal that Karl Burke’s speedy juvenile Zelaina, who looks set to line up in the Queen Mary, tops their list of the worst liabilities.
Most Backed Horses For 2025 Royal Ascot:
- Zelaina – Queen Mary Stakes – 7/4 from 4/1
- Rosallion – Queen Anne Stakes – 3/1 from 9/2
- Storm Boy – Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes – 6/1 from 16/1
- My Cloud – Royal Hunt Cup – 5/1 from 8/1
- The Liffey – Royal Hunt Cup – 10/1 from 20/1
Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “Royal Ascot is only around the corner and we’re champing at the bit for the five-day extravaganza to start. While there’s not quite the same ante-post fervour around this meeting as there is for Cheltenham, there are still a number of horses who’ll soon have us sweating under our top hats and tails.
“Zelaina created a huge impression on her debut for Karl Burke, and we laid a good chunk at 4/1 for her to win the Queen Mary. And after Burke was so effusive in his praise for the filly, she’s been backed again into 7/4, and is currently our worst liability across the meeting.
Punters expect Rosallion to turn tables on Lead Artist
Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “While Rosallion didn’t win the Lockinge, punters seem to have warmed to him since. He was 9/2 straight after his defeat to Lead Artist at Newbury, but it seems that many think that form will be reversed in the Queen Anne Stakes, so much so that he’s now a 3/1 shot.
“We expect him to be popular on the day too once people realise they can back last year’s uber impressive St James’s Palace winner at around 3/1.”
Aussie import Storm Boy backed to bounce back from Curragh loss
Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “One liability that’s a little more unusual is Storm Boy in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee. He looked fairly lacklustre when making his Irish debut at the Curragh last month, and he drifted right out to 16s for Royal Ascot afterwards, but has been all the rage since.
“He’s now a strong 6/1 shot and the weight of money behind him suggests that Aidan O’Brien has worked his magic on this Aussie import.”
Big handicap punts have bookie sweating
Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “We’ve managed to dodge two big liabilities already with Kyprios and Albert Einstein sadly ruled out of the meeting, but it’s in the handicaps where we’ve also seen horses catch our eye.
“In the Royal Hunt Cup, we’ve had to cut My Cloud into 5/1 favourite from 8/1 after some bullish comments from Roger Varian in a stable tour. Varian is a master at bringing horses like this through the grades, and this fella looks like one we’ll want to get beat next week.
“There’s also been some notable money for Joseph O’Brien’s The Liffey in the same race. The Carriganóg team think this guy is a really well-handicapped runner, and that kind of confidence has to be respected. Between My Cloud and The Liffey, the Royal Hunt Cup could be a race we’re watching from behind the back of the sofa.”
*Odds correct at time of writing – prices subject to change*
