With the current heatwave affecting much of Europe, it has been very difficult for the horses to cope with the demanding conditions.

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s racing, there is an early start in France at La Teste, with the first race scheduled for 8:10am UK time. The card features 12 races, with an extended break of almost four hours after the opening four contests.

At Deauville—where the meeting originally scheduled for Argentan has been transferred—it all gets underway at 5:15pm UK time. There are a couple of races that have caught my eye, but I will wait for the prices to appear in the morning before making any firm decisions.

Newmarket also has an early start, with racing beginning at 10:45am. I was particularly taken by Mysterious Times in the opening race. He ran a promising race on his debut at Sandown over five furlongs and should appreciate the step up to six furlongs tomorrow.I have heard that Etienne, the unraced runner from the Richard Spencer stable in the same race, is considered a useful prospect and could be worth keeping a close eye on in the market.

More soon.

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.