Our tipster discusses his NAP of the Day ahead of the action at Royal Ascot 2025 on Thursday but which Aidan O’Brien runner is his best bet of the afternoon?
For the second day in a row, I’m sticking with the imperious combination of Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore for my NAP of the Day – I’m really looking forward to seeing if ILLINOIS can step up in the absence of stablemate Kyprios in the Ascot Gold Cup.
Bet on Royal Ascot 2025 with William Hill today.
Illinois has the form in the book and it’ll be really interesting to see if he shortens even further if Los Angeles wins the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes on Wednesday afternoon. Without further ado, scroll down for my reasoning for the ‘best bet’ on Ladies Day 2025.
NAP of the Day – Thursday 19th June 2025:
- 4:20 Royal Ascot – Illinois (6/4)
Illinois has always shaped like a real staying type and he improved as last season went on, going down by a neck to dual Group One winner Jan Brueghel in the St Leger at Doncaster. He made an impressive return to the track at Chester in May, giving weight to race-fit rivals but winning cosily enough.
He’s trained by a genius in Aidan O’Brien and the Ballydoyle master knows how to win this race. He holds the record for the most victories in the Ascot Gold Cup with nine; with the legendary Yeats winning four successive renewals from 2006 to 2009.
I’m not saying Illinois is in that bracket by any means but he can be Ballydoyle’s next staying superstar. He stayed the best part of two miles on heavy ground at Longchamp back in October and I’d be shocked if he doesn’t get 2m4f on much quicker ground.
There are a few question marks over his rivals while the trip is the only minor concern for his supporters. Illinois is my strongest fancy on Ladies Day on Thursday at Royal Ascot 2025 and punters will be sipping the champagne if he obliges in the feature.
*Odds correct at the time of writing – prices subject to change*
