Ascot, Tuesday 17th June
15:40, King Charles III Stakes
Asfoora 7/1, 2pts each-way (3 places)
This year's first ante-post selection for Royal Ascot arrives in the shape of the Australian mare, Asfoora. Last year she belied an unfavourable draw to run out a ready winner from likely re-opposing European runners Believing and Regional. She held her form well after that throughout the European summer and bounced back in her first run of 2025 to win a 5 furlong race at Morphettville on 12th April in decent style. She was disappointing on her final start in the Robert Sangster Stakes but she travelled well and just tired late on. That was over 6 furlongs though and she raced wide throughout. She proved last year that straight tracks suit her well and she has reportedly travelled over much better than connections thought. She won't have time to have a prep race this year, which has to be a negative, but all of the noise coming from connections has been positive ever since she landed in the UK at the start of June. Oisin Murphy will be back in the saddle and has already been riding her in her work at Newmarket and reportedly been very complimentary about her. There's nothing in the 5 furlong sphere over here to worry about and I'd imagine if she turns up in the same form as 12 months ago, that she will become the first Australian horse to ever win back-to-back races at Royal Ascot. 7/1 now is a steel and I can't see her going off anything near that price on the day. Take it now.
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