Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Royal Ascot Day One Tips

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews Day One of Royal Ascot and has his best bets for all seven races, kicking off with the Queen Anne at 2.30pm

Royal Ascot, Tuesday

LEAD ARTIST still looks a shade overpriced in the barnstorming Queen Anne, tomorrow’s Royal Ascot opener (2.30). I’ve deliberated and changed my mind several times, but the umpteenth viewing of the Lockinge convinces me that this stiffer mile on slick ground will suit him better than any of his rivals. What’s more, he may not yet have reached the peak of his potential, and I loved the way he battled back against three of these rivals last time and hit the line hardest. This is tough, but so is he.

ROCK ON THUNDER might have slid slightly under the radar in the Coventry (3.05). He beat a smart looking field at Leicester and subsequent ready wins for the third and fifth confirm the impression on the day. He’s from a great stable in races like this, has a somewhat classier pedigree than some, and can make his presence well felt.

REGIONAL gets a narrow vote in the King Charles III (3.40). He’s a cracking horse who has been sensibly campaigned in recent seasons, and who ran a huge race when second in this last year. An emphasis on raw pace will really help him, he goes well fresh, and he’ll be a formidable rival for them all to pass inside the last furlong.

FIELD OF GOLD can land the odds in the St James’s Palace Stakes (4.20). There’s a danger of over complicating this, as there is potential for a messy race with effectively three horses of the seven entered to influence the pace. But the truth is that the selection has shown the best form and can stay out of bother from stall five. In addition, he’s had a better prep than Guineas conqueror Ruling Court, whose connections are improvising after swerving the Derby owing to the soft ground.

LIARI is worth a shot each-way in the Ascot Stakes (5.00). We know where we stand with most of these, save the well backed Willie Mullins pair, but this horse is also completely unexposed on the level and – having done well for Paul Nicholls – looked like he might be a revelation on the Flat when bolting up at Newmarket. He’ll run as far as you want, evidently wants a fast surface, and has a good jockey booking. He’s a sporting alternative to the obvious.

KING’S GAMBIT is the suggestion in the Wolferton (5.35). He’s not quite realised his potential over the last 12 months, but has performed creditably in the face of some less than ideal tasks. Back at the scene of his most eye catching run, on similar ground, and with a bit of James McDonald magic to get him racing evenly, he could be quite potent in this grade.

FRENCH MASTER rates the nap of the day in the finale (6.10). He should have won by a country mile at Goodwood last time, but got into so much bother that the handicapper couldn’t really do much. A semi-blinker applied by the trainer can help him concentrate and travel better, and he has loads in hand if he’s in the right mood.