2:30 CHESHAM STAKES (LISTED) 7F

It’s interesting that Mark Johnston has kept Natalie’s Joy for this rather than try her against other fillies in yesterday’s Albany Stakes, and that looks the right choice, even before the trainer landed the Albany with Main Edition; Natalie’s Joy was really impressive, both visually and on the stopwatch, when making a winning debut over six furlongs at Goodwood, and she ought to be fully effective at the longer trip on pedigree.

Last year, the Middleham trainer unleashed Nyaleti in this contest just six days after that filly had beaten Billesdon Brook on her racecourse bow, and she ran a stormer to be second to September, justifying that decision. Nyaleti, like the filly she beat on debut, has since gone on to classic glory (German 1000 Guineas), and her trainer has another exciting prosect here.

Given the restrictions within the Chesham’s conditions, and its listed status, it can be an excellent springboard for a high-class filly in receipt of weight, and that clearly isn’t lost on the shrewd Scot. It’s also worth noting that both Main Edition and Natalie’s Joy prepped for Royal Ascot by running at Goodwood, and Johnston often runs his best juveniles at at the West Sussex track despite opportunities closer to home.

3:05 HARDWICKE STAKES (GROUP 2) 1M 3F 211Y

A very disappointing turnout for the Hardwicke, with Rare Rhythm a non-runner, and Cliffs Of Moher only added when the race was reopened. I can see Idaho bouncing back to form and it will be interesting if Cliffs Of Moher, a disappointment in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes on Wednesday, will be utilised as a pacemaker for his stable companion here.

That would be an intriguing development, but it’s unlikely to bother Crystal Ocean, who was runner-up in the St Leger but doesn’t lack gears, and was very impressive in winning the Aston Park Stakes at Newbury last month. The favourite is well found in the market, however, and with only five runners, there might be some value in backing Idaho in each-way doubles given his best form is clearly superior to Barsanti’s and that rival is shorter than him in the betting.

3:40 WINDSOR CASTLE STAKES (LISTED) 5F

It’s been a mixed week for Wesley Ward, but Shang Shang Shang improved his record with runners over five furlongs at this meeting, and his representative here is Moonlight Romance, who was runner-up on her racecourse bow behind her aforementioned stablemate, but improved markedly for the switch to turf at Belmont next time. That form looks close to the best on offer here, and the fact that she has lightning speed and a draw close to the stands rail in a maximum field suggests Joel Rosario will attempt to repeat the tactics employed by Silvester de Sousa in winning the Britannia Stakes.

Few riders have attempted to get on the rail this week, but with the stalls in the centre and the fields smaller on the whole, that has always looked a risk. Drawn in 28 of 28 means that Rosario won’t have to think twice about where to go, and the daughter of Liaison will take some catching.

4:20 DIAMOND JUBILEE STAKES (GROUP 1) 6F

It’s unlikely that the stands rail will come into play in a smaller-than-usual field for the Diamond Jubilee, and Librisa Breeze shouldn’t be disadvantaged by a draw in stall three, especially with Harry Angel just a couple of stalls away. Clive Cox’s star is still the one to beat, but his exuberance means that he will always be vulnerable at Ascot, where his record reads 2224, as opposed to 11111 at other tracks. Librisa Breeze, on the other hand, is more effective here than elsewhere, as figures of 211641 indicate.

He had appeared better over further, but has a devastating turn of foot when on song, and he proved his worth over track and trip when winning the British Champions Sprint in October, with Harry Angel back in fourth. It’s true that the ground was soft for that win, but he is fully effective on a sound surface, and the way Harry Angel races allows races to unfold ideally for Dean Ivory’s hold-up performer.

There is clearly a danger that on fast ground he won’t be able to reel the favourite back, but that concern is fully factored into his price, and he looks a solid each-way bet as the race is expected to pan out ideally to suit his run style.

5:00 WOKINGHAM STAKES (HERITAGE HANDICAP) 6F

I recommended backing Danzeno for this in an ante-post feature last week, and I see no reason to change my mind, accepting that the race is full of in-form or improving sprinters. Mick Appleby’s campaigner has been around the block, but has shown some of his best form at this track, including when third in a Group 1 over course and distance three season ago.

He’s perhaps not quite the same force these days, but he won off a mark of 104 here less than a year ago, and has run creditably on his last couple of starts at Chelmsford and York. He’s 2lbs below his last winning mark, has a potentially advantageous high draw, and seems to have plenty in his favour. That third at York last time saw him beaten comfortably by the reopposing George Bowen, but Danzeno didn’t get anything like a clear run until late in the day, and I’m inclined to take his absence since as a sign that Mick Appleby is more than happy to save him for this prize.

George Bowen is respected, but meets his old adversary on 11lbs worse terms, and is 5lbs higher than when beaten on his latest start.

A bigger threat may come from Gilgamesh, who drops back to six furlongs after scoring cosily at York last time, that win coming on the back of a huge effort in the Victoria Cup here. The way he travelled last time suggests that he might do even better at this trip, and he’s worth backing to prove the point. He is much less exposed than most of his rivals, and has long appealed as one who could go well in a big handicap like this.

5:35 QUEEN ALEXANDRA STAKES (CONDITIONS) 2M 5F 143Y

It’s always pleasing to finish a big festival with a bumper, and it’s good of Ascot to keep that tradition alive with the anachronism that is the Queen Alexandra Stakes. Recent years have seen the Ascot Stakes and this contest boil down to showcases for Willie Mullins, and if there is anyone who can stop Willie adding to his remarkable achievement on Tuesday (when saddling four of the first five home), it’s old rival Gordon Elliott.

Pallasator is something of an enigma, but he won a Grade 2 hurdle at Fairyhouse’s Easter meeting, and went off as short as 12/1 for the Gold Cup itself a couple of years ago. He’s not as headstrong as he used to be when trained by Sir Mark Prescott, and that will help him see things out here. He has plenty of stakes form in staying races in the past, and with Gordon seemingly able to keep him sweet, he is taken to turn the clock back.

RECOMMENDED

MOONLIGHT ROMANCE 3:40 Ascot – 2pts win @ 5/1 (general)

LIBRISA BREEZE 4:20 Ascot – 1pt e/w @ 12/1 (general)

DANZENO 5:00 Ascot – 1pt e/w @ 28/1 (SkyBet - 1/5 odds 7 places)

GILGAMESH 5:00 Ascot – 1pt e/w @ 16/1 (general)