Royal Ascot 2018 day four tips: Billesdon Brook can land the Coronation

To underestimate a filly once is unfortunate but to do it twice would be reprehensible, particularly in the case of Billesdon Brook (4.20), whose Guineas success looks a very solid piece of form indeed. Those that finished in the next six places have advertised the quality of that race again and again and she can show up her doubters by landing the Coronation Stakes on day four at Royal Ascot.

The Oaks runner-up and the French Oaks winner were among those she beat fair and square that day. Nor was it the first time she had shown impressive speed on a fast surface. She gets her ground again and looks the right bet at 11-2, despite a nagging doubt about the form of her stable.

2.30 Albany Stakes Mark Johnston seems to have a smart juvenile in Main Edition, unbeaten in her two runs and an impressive winner at Goodwood three weeks ago after travelling kindly round that tricky course. She is a half-sister to one Royal Ascot winner, Beachfire, and also to the classy Major Cadeaux, beaten less than a length in the Coventry.

3.05 King Edward VII Stakes Aidan O’Brien is having a good week with three-year-old colts that weren’t quite up to Classic level, following the wins of Hunting Horn and Kew Gardens, so it could be worth giving another chance to his Delano Roosevelt. He stayed on to be sixth in the Derby and may do better around this more conventional track.

3.40 Commonwealth Cup O’Brien could be in for a big finish to the week, as his Sioux Nation gives him a big chance here, in a race he won last year. A son of Scat Daddy, who has proved such a strong influence for top-class speed, he won the Norfolk at Royal Ascot last year, followed up in a Group One in Ireland and promised better to come with the way he won his warm-up race for this at Naas last month.

5.00 Sandringham Handicap At 14-1, Poet’s Charm looks over-priced. She won two of her three starts last year and is bred to be better this year. Charlie Appleby’s three-year-olds have been flying along this year at a 33% strike-rate, with the Derby just one of many prizes that have fallen to him, and it would not be a complete surprise if she has been saved with this in mind.

5.35 Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap Beaten only by a very well handicapped rival in this race last year, Appeared is just 2lb higher and will be a big player if in the same form as the rest of Roger Varian’s older horses this year.

Ascot 2.30 Main Edition 3.05 Delano Roosevelt 3.40 Sioux Nation (nap) 4.20 Billesdon Brook 5.00 Poetic Charm 5.35 Appeared (nb)

Market Rasen 1.40 Adams Park 2.10 Quantum Of Solace 2.45 King Vince 3.20 Minella Awards 3.55 Marquis Of Carabas 4.35 Sissinghurst 5.20 Longhouse Sale

Redcar 1.50 Knockabout Queen 2.20 Showroom 2.55 Admired 3.30 Mon Beau Visage 4.05 Real Estate 4.45 Abushamah 5.20 Persian Prize

Wetherby 5.40 Izvestia 6.10 Lever Du Soleil 6.45 Ninepin Bowler 7.15 Allante 7.50 Justice Pleasing 8.25 Racehorse 8.55 Chizz De Biz

Newmarket 5.50 Malaysian Boleh 6.20 George Villiers 6.55 Alnasherat 7.30 Whitehall 8.00 Homeopathic 8.35 Loxley 9.05 Flying Foxy

Ayr 5.55 Millie The Minx 6.30 Addis Ababa 7.05 Uptown Funk 7.40 Parole 8.10 Stanhope 8.45 Dr Doro 9.15 My Valentino