The pick of the prices on Day 1 at Royal Ascot....

Monday, 15th June 2026

The pick of the prices on Day 1 at Royal Ascot….

>>>>> Royal Ascot – angles, pointers & clues – FREE….

In ATC today….

…. I bring you my best picks in the handicaps on Day 1 at Royal Ascot….

I’m on ISMAHANE in the 5.00 – up at 25s & 22s….

…. and I’m on DURAJI at 16s in the 6.10….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below….

Read on….

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…. the Ascot Stakes – Ascot – 5.00....

There’s no doubt Joseph O’Brien wants to win this – he’s responsible for a third of the field….

…. Puturhandstogether looks to be the number one hope for the yard – with Dylan Browne McMonagle slated to ride the 5yo well in advance of O’Brien’s other six runners being assigned jockeys….

Willie Mullins – he’s won the race four times – has the favourite (again)….

…. but Reaching High – denied a clear run when sent off favourite for this race last year – hasn’t been seen since….

…. and taking this without the benefit of a prep run is no given – the 9/4 is plenty short enough for me….

I’m minded to have a swing of the bat and back Paddy Twomey’s ISMAHANE at the general 25s & 22s….

Running in two maiden hurdles wouldn’t be a traditional prep for this race….

…. but I very much like the way she shaped last time at Ballinrobe behind one that looks like another decent model off the Rich Ricci/Willie Mullins production line….

…. and she didn’t look fully ‘at it’….

She finished that race well enough and I think Twomey’s filly will appreciate the trip tomorrow – you certainly can’t say that about them all….

…. Twomey’s decision to reach for the cheekpieces is interesting – he’s 5 from 13 when using them for the first time (and this will be the first time he has used cheekpieces on this horse)….

…. and she’ll be assisted by W J Lee – who won the race last year for Henry De Bromhead on Ascending….

She hasn’t been seen on the flat since finishing third in the Premio St Leger Italiano at San Siro in November – after which Twomey paid 77,000 euros for her….

…. and if she can improve on that – and I think she will – then she’s a player off a mark of 93 and I reckon she’s underestimated at the prices….

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…. the Copper Horse – Ascot – 6.00....
 
I’m backing DURAJI at the general 16s for this one….

He ran an absolute blinder on stable debut for Richard Hughes in the Chester Cup last month….

…. he got into a lovely rhythm from a wide draw under tomorrow’s jockey Finley Marsh….

…. and he was in front on the turn for home – only giving best to the winner and the runner-up in the last 50-yards….

He wouldn’t have been at concert pitch that last day and you’d think he’ll be fitter tomorrow with that outing under his belt….

…. and it could well be that the shorter trip suits just that bit better – we know he possesses the stamina for a further and he might well have the tank to go just that bit harder that bit earlier and put it up to the rest….

You could pick out a fair few in this one – and the favourite will take some beating – but Duraji is an interesting runner at an attractive price….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back tomorrow with picks for Day 2 (Wednesday).…

Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

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