Royal Ascot finds itself under threat from a Roman invasion on the open day of the 2023 festival.
The River Tiber, which flows through the Italian capital, was often the last resting place of murderous scoundrels found guilty of patricide who were sewn into a sack with a dog, a monkey, a snake and a rooster and then lowered to a horrible death in the water as they tore each other apart to avoid drowning.
It’s also the name of the bay colt likely to be Aidan O’Brien’s first winner of the meeting in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes.
A victor on good going at Naas after triumphing on soft at Navan, he shapes to take the step up in trip from five to six furlongs without any trouble and can repel all threats at 15/8 with bet365.
Cicero’s Gift can then usurp the claims of two Guineas winners in the St James’ Palace Stakes.
Named after the great Roman orator, philosopher and politician whose writings inspired Renaissance humanism, Charlie Hills’ rising stable star impressed last time out in a Group Two affair at Goodwood.
He’s up against 2000 Guineas winner Chaldean and Irish Guineas champion Paddington but unlike the unfortunate chap who had his head and hands hacked off and nailed onto a forum wall after writing disparaging essays about Mark Antony, this Cicero can put his rivals to the sword at 5/1 with the same firm.
Double them up and also stick them in a treble with Modern Games as Charlie Appleby’s gladiator can sweep aside all opposition when the meeting gets underway with the Queen Anne Stakes.
Victory in the Lockinge was the fifth Group One success for the four-year-old chestnut and he gets the nod over John and Thady Gosden’s imposing filly Inspiral at 2/1 with William Hill.
Finally, Highfield Princess is a worthy 11/4 favourite with 888Sport for the Kings Stand Stakes after winning handsomely over five furlongs in Group One company at the Curragh and in the Nunthorpe at York.
Wesley Ward’s Twlighlight Gleaming shone on his reappearance at Keeneland after a promising career was blighted by injury last year and the American visitor is worth a minor each-way investment at 20/1 with Coral.
Top Royal Ascot tips and a bit of a history lesson… you’re welcome!
• Scotland cashed for us by defeating Norway in Oslo at 29/10 and can further swell our accounts by beating Georgia in the Euro 2024 qualifier in Glasgow by more than one goal at 6/4 with Betway.
• Andy Murray has won back-to-back grass titles at Surbiton and Nottingham and professes he can go deep into the latter stages at Wimbledon. Take him at his word and back him each-way at 14/1 with William Hill to win at Queen’s this week, then help yourself with the 9/2 offered by bet365 for Murray to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals by winning the third quarter of the draw.
MORE : Tim Henman fires warning to Andy Murray’s rivals and Emma Raducanu
MORE : Andy Murray continues impressive run ahead of Wimbledon with Nottingham Open victory
Share this with