The pick of the prices on Day 4 at Royal Ascot....

Thursday, 18th June 2026

The pick of the prices on Day 4 at Royal Ascot….

>>>>> Get selections for Day 3 here….

In ATC today….

…. I bring you my best picks in the handicaps on Day 4 at Royal Ascot….

I’m on PLAGE DE HAVRE in the 3.40 – up at 10s….

…. I’m on GREEN CARRERA at 20s & 18s in the 5.00….

…. and I’m on CHERRY BAKER at 20s 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 Duke of Edinburgh – Ascot – 3.40....

PLAGE DE HAVRE looks primed to give a good account of himself and is the pick for this at the general 10s….

He was very progressive last term – showing up well in the Jorvik at York before winning the Silver Bowl at Haydock where he smashed Paddy The Squire (who ran a big one in Monday’s Copper Horse) by 4-lengths….

He went up 10lb for that win to a mark of 103 and was slashed in price for the Ebor – but didn’t make that engagement on account of a setback….

He got well-beaten on his return at Kempton in April – where he was up in class and down in trip to an inadequate 10f….

…. but back over 12f in next time out in this season’s edition of the Jorvik he ran a belter….

…. travelling into the race strongly…. hitting the front over a furlong out…. and only getting done late on down the outside by a good horse he was giving almost a stone too and who now rates 8lb higher….

He’s a strong traveller with a high cruising speed and tomorrow’s race is pretty much a perfect set-up for him….

…. he’ll get cover and an end-to-end gallop which will set him up for a strong finishing effort up the final section – where his stamina will come into play….

I expect a big run from stall 15 under Oisin Murphy….

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…. the Sandringham – Ascot – 5.00....

If you’re looking for a take-your-pick job then the Sandringham would rank pretty highly on your list of targets….

…. with 30 unexposed 3yo fillies going at it hammer and tongues up the straight mile….

It’s a complex puzzle and in that sort of potentially confusing environment it often pays to keep the thinking simple….

…. and that’s what I’m doing – I’m backing Joseph O’Brien’s GREEN CARRERA at the general 20s & 18s….

She looks like the second string with Dylan Browne McMonagle sticking with Mixed Feelings….

…. but that’s one drawn over in stall 2…. she’s unproven on ground better than good….

… and it might be that her rider’s decision was based on weights carried – 8-08 might have been a stretch….

My selection could have a plum draw in stall 30 and looks a better candidate to handle lively ground….

…. Mikael Barzalona is no bad substitute and he’s a master at timing late bursts – which is what I expect from Green Carrera tomorrow….

…. and O’Brien’s horses are on a roll – first string, second string, and the rest….

This race was nominated as Green Carrera’s target by O’Brien immediately after she’d overcome adversity to win at the Curragh last time – the race didn’t set up great for her….

There’s more to come….

…. how much is impossible to quantify….

…. but she’s one down the order – in the handicap and the betting – who could be a hell of a lot better than she’s shown so far….

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…. the Palace of Holyroodhouse – Ascot – 6.10....

CHERRY BAKER looks a big price at the general 20s….

She’s been going very nicely this term – finishing first and second in handicaps over 6f at Chester….

…. with the last run – where she was just denied – worthy of a mark-up on account of the wide draw she overcame….

She drops back to the minimum trip tomorrow – and I’m not in the slightest bit bothered about that….

…. the 5f is plenty stiff enough at Ascot and being able to get 6f is a positive rather than a negative….

Perhaps the most encouraging signal (to me) is that Cieren Fallon is getting down to 8-08 for the ride….

He’s only ridden at that weight twice since the start of 2025….

…. placing on one for tomorrow’s in-form trainer James Owen….

…. and winning on the other for Charles Hills….

Of course, he might just be showing willing….

…. but he doesn’t show quite so much willing very often – and I take it as a positive….

He’s got a high draw in stall 25 and this daughter of Harry Angel….

…. himself a genuine G1 sprint performer at the track….

…. can run a big race at a tasty 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 5 (Saturday).…

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

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

Stay tuned….

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