Horse Racing Betting Tips for Royal Ascot on Wednesday 17th June

It's the second day of Royal Ascot on Wednesday, another outstanding seven-race card from the Berkshire track, including a Group 1, a trio of Group 2s and some fiercely competitive handicap action.

Racing Post tipster, Marcus Buckland, has provided three recommendations for the second day at Royal Ascot.

Wednesday's Royal Ascot Horse Racing Betting Tips

14:30 Royal Ascot - (5f Queen Mary Stakes - Group 2) - Senorita Bonita @ 9/2
17:35 Royal Ascot (1m Kensington Palace Stakes - Handicap) - Alobayyah @ 3/1
18:10 Royal Ascot (6f Windsor Castle Stakes Listed) - Dance A Jig @ 20/1

14:30 Royal Ascot - (5f Queen Mary Stakes - Group 2) - Senorita Bonita @ 9/2

The most expensive of all the lots at the Craven Breeze-ups in April at a whopping 900,000gns, expectation was high ahead of Senorita Bonita's debut at Nottingham at the start of the month.

Out of an unraced dam closely related to Astonished and Sub Rose, who won Listed and Group 3 races respectively over 1m4f, it was perhaps a bit of a surprise to see her starting out over the minimum trip, but she showed bags of natural pace and ran on strongly to snatch a narrow success at odds of 10-11f.

She was ridden with bags of confidence by Oisin Murphy, arguably too much, and found herself with upwards of three lengths to make up on the front-running Fast Track entering the final furlong.

She did remarkably well to reel in that more experienced filly, especially as she was racing on the wrong side of the track, away from the runner-up, and she was clearly value for significantly more than the short-head margin of victory.

Joint trainer Simon Crisford was pleased with the run, but said there'd be a lot more to come from her, particularly on this forecast fast ground. 

17:35 Royal Ascot (1m Kensington Palace Stakes - Handicap) - Alobayyah @ 3/1

William Haggas's Alobayyah caught the eye when putting in some good late work when third behind the reopposing Radiant Beauty and Song And Dance over this course and distance on her reappearance last month and could take a big step forward with that run behind her.

The lightly raced four-year-old created a good impression when scoring on her debut at Yarmouth on soft ground in the autumn of 2024 and, although unable to add to that in three subsequent outings, she's run to Racing Post Ratings in the low to mid 90s on two occasions, including when recording a career best of 95 on good last month, having ultimately been set too much to do.

This faster ground is a slight concern, but there's a good covering of grass and she could well have a deal more ability than her current official mark of 90 implies.

18:10 Royal Ascot (6f Windsor Castle Stakes Listed) - Dance A Jig @ 20/1

The Ralph Beckett-trained Dance A Jig, who is from the family of Lochsong and a half-brother to a pair of Group 3 winners, has shaped with serious potential in his two defeats to date and should give a good account; a strongly run 6f on this stiff track is expected to suit.

The son of Naval Crown was tardily away on his debut in the Brocklesby at Doncaster in March, but he made rapid progress inside the final 2f and, having squeezed through a narrow gap, was in the process of challenging for the lead when stumbling badly passing the furlong pole.

He turned the tables on his Doncaster conqueror Bear's Affair over 5f here last month, but again found one too good, beaten a neck by Adaay Of Scarlett.

The winner has since finished second in both the Listed National Stakes at Sandown and the Group 2 Coventry Stakes here on Tuesday, giving the form a solid look, and the way in which the selection hit the line suggests he'll relish this additional furlong. 

Read more horse racing betting tips and predictions on site.

Read more Ascot horse racing news on site.

Tipster's Recent Winners

Marcus Buckland has enjoyed plenty of success in recent weeks, his winners including Sovereign Glory (10/3), Slack Bob (11/4) and My Boy Harry (15-2).

Horse Racing Betting Guides

What is an Each Way bet in Horse Racing?
What is a Lucky 15 Bet?
How to Place a Placepot

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.