The pick of the prices on Day 5 at Royal Ascot....

Friday, 19th June 2026

The pick of the prices on Day 5 at Royal Ascot….

>>>>> Get selections for Day 4 here….

In ATC today….

…. I bring you my best picks in the handicaps on Day 5 at Royal Ascot….

I’m on TEN POUNDS in the 5.00 – up at 12s….

…. and I’m on PRINCLING at 10s in the 5.35….

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 Wokingham – Ascot – 5.00....

I’m backing TEN POUNDS for this one at the general 12s….

He ran a cracker to finish third in last year’s renewal off a mark of 102….

…. and whilst he sits on the same mark right now he’s 3lb well in for tomorrow’s race and gets to run off 99 – every little helps….

He did his job for old connections and trainer Harry Charlton – going well in a Newmarket handicap the time after….

…. and then winning a race on the AW off a career high mark of 104….

Not so long afterwards he was sold to Valmont – founded by Anthony Ramsden (son of Jack Ramsden) – for 320,000 guineas and was later sent to be trained by Joey Ramsden (Anthony’s brother)….

Valmont must reckon Ten Pounds is a Group horse in the making because – as a gelding – he won’t be clawing too much of that investment back in the breeding sheds….

It didn’t really happen for the new combination straight off the bat and it wasn’t until last time out at Carlisle in May that the cogs meshed….

They took off the tongue tie, put on the cheekpieces, and the 4yo went out and ran a cracker in a Listed race – going down just a head to 104-rated Washington Heights – giving him 5lbs….

It was easily his best run for the yard to date and he turns out at Ascot tomorrow here giving off a sense that the key has been turned….

Ascot-straight specialist Jamie Spencer is booked for the ride….

…. he’s got form with the family – which we don’t need to go into – but there’s clearly no lasting rancour….

…. either that or bald pragmatism trumps any lingering bad feeling….

Ten Pounds is drawn in stall 13….

…. given how it’s worked out this week that wouldn’t appear to be 100% ideal….

…. but Spencer is the man to make the very best of it – and it’s worth noting that last year they all pretty much went up the middle….

…. and it might well turn out to be no bad spot at all….

I’m bracing for a big run….

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…. the Golden Gates – Ascot – 5.35....

I’m on PRINCLING for William Haggas in this one at the general 10s….

He’s been progressive in his four runs to date….

…. and he ran a nice trial in a good race last time at Carlisle – getting outpaced but sticking on late over the mile to finish 4/14 and beaten just 2.5 lengths….

He’s by Kingman out of a Frankel mare….

…. and the bottom line is I think he’s going to improve massive for the step up to 10f tomorrow….

A wide stall’s won five of the six renewals of this race run to date….

…. and a starting berth of stall 18 tomorrow – the widest stall of all – is going to give Tom Marquand options and enable him to stay clear of any scrimmaging on the inside….

I can’t argue with the top two in the betting – they bring the London Gold Cup form to the party….

…. but I think my man’s a player too at twice the price – and that will do for me….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back with more next week….

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

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

Stay tuned….

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