It’s the final day of Ascot today, bringing the curtain down on what has been an excellent week for the O’Brien family. Aidan has saddled six winners, while his son Joseph is close behind with five. Both have runners on today’s card and could well add to their impressive tallies.

In the opening race at 2:30pm, I am quite keen on Orthodox as an each-way selection. He made a winning debut at Salisbury and has the assistance of Rossa Ryan in the saddle, which is always a positive sign. He is well drawn in what looks a competitive contest over the minimum trip of five furlongs.

Later on the card, in the Jersey Stakes at 4:20pm, Saber Strike is towards the head of the betting and may appear short enough in the market. However, he looked a colt with a bright future when winning on his seasonal reappearance at Newmarket, beating a highly regarded runner from Charlie Appleby’s stable into second place. Despite his restrictive odds, he would be my selection.

More later.

There is another excellent day of racing at Royal Ascot, with the feature event being the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1) over ten furlongs at 4:20pm.

I have a slight preference for the French colt Daryz, who has excelled in his two starts this season, both at Group 1 level in France. He has won both races with authority and, although today’s ground may be the quickest he has encountered, I believe he can get the better of last year’s winner, Ombudsman, who has also won both of his starts this year, most recently at Sandown Park 20 days ago.

Earlier on the card, at 3:05pm, the Queen’s Vase over one mile and six furlongs, the Irish raiders hold a strong hand with Limestone and Asakir, who finished first and second respectively when they met at Leopardstown recently. They face a formidable opponent in Galiyan, who was successful at Chester in early May and should be even better suited by this sterner stamina test.

More soon.

Reflecting on the racing at Royal Ascot today, it was encouraging to see a couple of outsiders perform so well, most notably in the opening race at 2.30, when Ten Bob Tony landed the Queen Anne Stakes (Gr.1) over the straight mile. His trainer appeared pleasantly surprised when interviewed afterwards, which was understandable given the horse returned at 50/1 and was not among the leading fancies.

The St James’s Palace Stakes (Gr.1) at 4.20 went to the favourite, Bow Echo, under Billy Loughnane. The jockey admitted in his post-race interview that he felt he had not given the colt the perfect ride, but Bow Echo still showed plenty of determination to hold on by a nose from the second favourite, Gstaad, trained by the Ballydoyle master Aidan O’Brien.

Kizlyar won the 5.00 at odds of 25/1 when getting the better of his stable mate Defiantly, who was also a 25/1 shot for Joseph O’Brien.

More tomorrow.

Looking at today’s racing in the UK, at Fontwell, where the going is described as good, the 2.30 should go to Viscountess Nelson, the current favourite. She won at Perth in late April when last seen over 2 miles 4 furlongs. She has a penalty to deal with, but may still have too much for her rivals.

In France at Dieppe, there are a couple of runners that interest me. No prices are available yet, but I expect them to appear around 12.30pm. I may provide an update later today, depending on how the betting develops.

More later.

There is some excellent racing in France tomorrow, headlined by the French Derby at Chantilly (3.30). KOMOREBI appeals as a fascinating contender after finishing strongly to take second in the French 2,000 Guineas on his latest start. With a favourable draw in stall seven and odds of around 7/1, he looks to offer solid value in a highly competitive field.

My initial choice had been CONSTITUTION RIVER, who looked a colt of considerable quality when cruising to victory in a Listed race at Chester last time out. However, a wide draw in stall 15 of 16 could make life more difficult, and while he is talented enough to overcome it, his price of around 15/8 leaves little margin for error. From a value perspective, KOMOREBI makes greater appeal.

This evening, I have backed NO GUTS NO GLORY in the 7.38 at Lyon-Parilly. In what appears a relatively small-field contest, he looks capable of turning over the short-priced favourite and could represent a worthwhile betting opportunity.

Attention turns to Plumpton this evening, where the ground is officially described as good and is likely to continue drying out in the warm conditions.

GOODWIN (6.09) catches the eye with promising claiming rider Rian Corcoran booked for the ride. Corcoran, who is attached to the David Pipe yard, has been riding with plenty of confidence recently and could help secure another success for trainer Charlie Gordon.

Later on the card, GOODWIN FACE (8.09) also looks to hold strong claims for the Charlie Gordon stable. With Tom Cannon taking the ride in the two-mile handicap hurdle, he looks capable of going very close.

The concluding bumper looks a straightforward assignment for the Dan Skelton-trained GETMYFRIEND at 8.39. He faces modest opposition and impressed when scoring at Southwell earlier this month, so another victory could be on the cards before a likely switch to hurdling in the near future.

Some interesting races at Compiegne in France later today. One I liked in 3.46 has been withdrawn, which leaves a good opening for Heroiste who has attracted support in the betting. With leading jockey Mickael Barzalona on top she can be expected to be ready to go on her return run of the year.

Sumaco in the 6.45 at Compiegne ran well to be fourth at Parislongchamp in April on debut and will know more this time. He is stepping up in trip and can be too smart for his rivals under Maxime Guyon. He is currently around 2/1 with most firms.

More later.

Racing has got under way at Marseille-Borely in France, I do like the look of Bright Mille in the 1.30 race, she was a pleasing second on her only start and will know more this time. Her main threat could come from her stable companion Raqat, who is unraced but has a nice pedigree and should be well prepared by his astute handler.

In the UK there is a few I like the look of later today.

Luna Melody at Carlisle 4.00 could get off the mark, she was second at Doncaster recently and should step forward from that run.

Behike 3.50 Lingfield is a previous course winner and looks capable of following up.

More soon.

A good day yesterday with two nice winners at Compiègne. Mister Sun landed the opening race at 15/8 after being available at 9/4 when I sent out my message yesterday. Malaisie (11.55) was also strongly backed before her comfortable success over fences. She looks one to follow now that she has got her head in front and could continue to progress in this discipline.

In the main event at 1.12, I preferred Zarakhan over the main danger, Kyrov, but it was Kyrov who came out on top, beating my selection into second. It was a good contest between two smart hurdlers.

Today’s action comes from an early meeting at Lyon-Parilly Racecourse, where I like the look of Marianne Du Chenet in the 11.36 handicap chase. She has shown improvement in both starts over fences and, having won over hurdles last year, she could prove too strong for her rivals.

Sully makes his hurdling debut in the 12.43 and has the added advantage of James Reveley in the saddle. He is sure to have been well schooled and looks an interesting recruit after getting off the mark on the flat at Lignières in early April over 10 furlongs. The step up to 2 miles and 198 yards should hold no fears.

More later.

Good early racing today at Compiegne although the ground is likely to be very soft. In the 10.51 I like the look of Mister Sun, who was third when last seen in January at Pau over hurdles. He was not beaten far that day and should be fit to go after a four month absence. He is around 9/4 at the moment.

Malaisie, who will go off as favourite in the 11.55, ran well when second over fences last time at Compiegne in a Class 3 race and has a leading chance of getting off the mark today. The best race of the day is a Listed hurdle at 1.12, with a strong line up. Zarakhan is likely to start as favourite and holds solid claims after scoring at this track in a Class 3 hurdle on April 6th. He has a live danger in Kyrov who was a pleasing second in a Grade 3 hurdle at Auteuil late last month.

More later.