Royal Ascot Dark Horses

Dave Orton shines a light on five interesting outsiders at the Royal Meeting in 2025, live on Sky Sports Racing.

LAKE FOREST

Queen Anne Stakes (2.30 - Tuesday)

Although yet to run over a mile and having performed way below market expectations on his seasonal debut in France last month, Lake Forest doesn’t obviously appeal as a Queen Anne winner in waiting.

However, the four-year-old is not yet fully exposed and trainer William Haggas has been plotting to have his colt turn up at fever pitch on the big day.

Watch every race of Royal Ascot 2025 live on Sky Sports Racing (Sky 415 | Virgin 519) from Tuesday 17th June to Saturday 21st June.

He shaped like a miler when finding only Inisherin too strong on his three-year-old debut in last year’s Commonwealth Cup over 6f, and there was so much to like about his defeat of current Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee favourite Lazzat when signing off down under at Randwick in November.

His run style is also ideal for Ascot’s straight track and odds at the time of writing around 14-1 just seem too big.

MGHEERA

King Charles III Stakes (3.40 Tuesday)

It couldn’t have gone any better for this ex-French sprinter since joining Ed Walker in 2025, winning both her first two outings for the stable.

She wasn’t at all a typical purchase for her illustrious connections when snapped up for 240,000 euros last year, with 18 career runs already under the belt and a lacklustre previous attempt in Group 1 company.

Walker has worked his magic, though, and she heads into the first day of Royal Ascot with a big chance. Her profile suggests Good to Firm ground might be a worry, but it was a lot quicker than the official going description when she won at ParisLongchamp last month and her action strongly suggests she’s been waiting for a rapid surface all along. A tendency to miss the break could also be a blessing in disguise on this stiff course too.

SHINE ON ME

Queen Mary Stakes (2.30 -Wednesday)

It’s fair to say that Shine On Me’s debut at Lingfield last month was a bit of a disaster. The Havana Grey filly was confidently backed into favourite for Archie Watson, but she blew the start and had to make her challenge away from the strongly favoured stands’ rail.

She still did some decent late work and that was enough to tempt Watson to stick with the original plan and run in the Queen Mary.

It should be noted that her Breeze-Up time at Newmarket in April was quicker than that of ownermate Zelaina, who is set to go off a strong favourite for Karl Burke, and she’ll have the assistance of James MacDonald, one of the best jockeys on the planet.

ARIZONA BLAZE

Commonwealth Cup (3.05 - Friday)

The Commonwealth Cup this year has an appealing look about it for an each-way play and there’s good reason to think Arizona Blaze could outrun his odds.

At the time of writing this he was available at 25-1, which is just wrong when having a closer inspection of his profile.

He finished third in the Norfolk Stakes at last year’s meeting, when sent off at 14-1 and racing solo on the near side for most of the race, and a fast-finishing second at the Breeders’ Cup in November also sticks out.

Granted he needs to bounce back from a disappointing effort in the Group 2 Sandy Lane at Haydock latest, but he’s vastly experienced and his best form isn’t too far off the market principals here.

CERCENE

Coronation Stakes (4.20 - Friday)

The defection of ante-post favourite Lake Victoria has given the Coronation Stakes a lopsided look betting-wise, with Zarigana looking painfully short around even money to take the prize back to France.

Third to Lake Victoria in the Irish 1,000 Guineas last month was Cercene, who hit the line well when beaten around four lengths that afternoon and yet was trading at the time of writing around the 25-1 mark.

Despite John G Murphy’s filly having just a maiden to her name, she went close in a Group 3 at the Curragh before placing in the Classic there and, if there’s any chinks in Zarigana’s armour, this consistent performer is capable of causing the upset on ground that will suit.

Watch every race of Royal Ascot 2025 live on Sky Sports Racing (Sky 415 | Virgin 519) from Tuesday 17th June to Saturday 21st June.