Royal Ascot Racing Tips: Blackbeard could be bound for the top

NAP: Blackbeard the one to beat

Blackbeard - 15:05 Royal Ascot

Blackbeard made it three from three with an impressive success in the Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh last time, quickening clear from two furlongs out to win by three and a half lengths with plenty in hand.

The step up to six furlongs clearly played to his strengths and the manner of his victory suggests he will have no issue with the slightly stiffer test which Ascot provides, still appearing full of running at the line.

This looks a red-hot edition of the Coventry Stakes, but Blackbeard has the strongest form as things stand and he remains open to improvement for Aidan O'Brien, who is seeking his tenth success in this race since 1997.

NEXT BEST: Foxes Tales has lots in his favour

Foxes Tales - 17:35 Royal Ascot

Foxes Tales was below form when finishing only fourth in the Aston Park Stakes at Newbury last time, but that was his first try at a mile and a half and the way he shaped suggests he simply didn't stay.

The drop back to a mile and a quarter here looks a good move and he is clearly very effective under these conditions having won the Golden Gates Stakes over course and distance at this meeting 12 months ago.

That was a career-best effort at the time and Foxes Tales took his form up another notch later that summer, notably registering a first success in pattern company in the Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock.

That form reads well in the context of this listed heat, so he is worth a chance to put his Newbury effort behind him and resume winning ways, particularly as he shaped as if retaining all his ability on his reappearance at Sandown.

EACH-WAY: Reshoun can repeat 2021 success

Reshoun - 17:00 Royal Ascot

Reshoun shaped encouragingly over an insufficient trip when finishing fifth at Haydock last time, making a bit of late headway after briefly meeting trouble to pass the post only six lengths behind the winner.

That was also the first time in 17 starts that he didn't wear headgear of some description, but the cheekpieces are back on today as he steps back up in trip in a race he won in very determined fashion 12 months ago.

Crucially, Reshoun can line up from the same mark today as he did then, so he is unlikely to give up his crown without a fight if going the right way from that Haydock effort.