Guide to the smaller races on the final day of Royal Ascot

The two Group races on the final day of Royal Ascot have been given their own previews, but there are four other contests that are almost certain to be competitive.

2:30 Royal Ascot – Lovely Pass @ 8/1

With the ground racing soft at Ascot, it will be particularly taxing for the two-year-olds and so the biggest factor could prove picking a horse that will be suited to the surface.

Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning have already combined with Dawn Approach this week and Move To Strike is a worthy favourite for the Chesham Stakes given his nine-length romp last time at the Curragh.

However, Lovely Pass looked to have plenty of improvement in the tank when running incredibly green on firm ground when winning on debut and should be better settled on a softer surface.

4:25 Royal Ascot – Maarek @ 11/1

The more rain the better for Maarek in the Wokingham Stakes, who will not only relish the soft conditions, but also the stiff uphill finish at Ascot.

The jockey booking of Joseph O’Brien looks another major plus point, while he fits the key trends of being aged either four or five and finishing in the each-way places on their latest start.

Scarf is another of only seven runners to meet both trends and could be overpriced at 25/1, given that he is set to go up 6lb in the handicap in the future.

5:00 Royal Ascot – Stand To Reason @ 16/1

This race has been largely dominated by those at the foot of the handicap in the past decade and Stand To Reason can continue this trend.

He can be forgiven for flopping on his latest start at Chester when seemingly getting worked up beforehand and looks attractively handicapped on his previous form.

Stand To Reason is up in distance to 1m4f and if he fails to stay, Eternal Heart could give trainer Mark Johnston his third win in four years as he is unbeaten in three attempts over the distance.

5:35 Royal Ascot – Simenon @ 10/3

It was hard not to be impressed by Simenon’s success in the Ascot Stakes earlier in the week and it would be a remarkable double should he also pull off victory in the Queen Alexandra Stakes over an additional furlong.

Stamina will be key over this monster 2m5f trip and Bruslini has won two of his three starts on soft ground and has prevailed over 3m+ over hurdles.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.