Ben Morgan’s Royal Ascot Day 5 tips – Superstar Saber to Strike on Saturday

Racing Ahead’s resident tipster Ben Morgan selects his best bets for the action across day five of Royal Ascot 2026.

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2.30  Norfolk Stakes – Carry The Flag to fly at full mast 

CARRY THE FLAG received an obvious and welcome form boost when Great Barrier Reef took the Coventry on Tuesday and a repeat of his effort behind that horse last time out will surely suffice here.

The Coventry winner took plenty long enough to reel in the selection here which suggests he has plenty of pace and could be ideally suited to this drop down to 5f.

The Ballydoyle two year olds have been in top form all week and I can see more success incoming here. 

3.05 – Hardwicke Stakes – Overpriced selection Locked in in open Hardwicke

Unless I’m missing something obvious I cannot understand why AMILOC is such a big price here. Destined for great things last year after he won the King Edward VII, he hasn’t quite fulfilled that promise since although I think two of those runs are excused.

Connections have explored stepping him up in trip but he hasn’t ran his race on both starts over 12f so it looks like that idea may be shelved for the time being which I think is wise as his turn of foot has always been his main asset in my eyes.

His performance at Goodwood last year will live long in the memory and I think he will be much more comfortable stepping back down to 12f here which makes 12/1 look far too big in a ‘windy’ enough race. 

3.40 – Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes – Run Forest run

I’ve seen deeper renewals of this race and I’m not that convinced with the foreigners at the top of the market.

There is undoubtedly going to be a strong pace here which will suit LAKE FOREST who stays further and I think he could be set for a landmark day in his career.

Connections were keen to keep him over further since his valiant second in the Commonwealth Cup a couple of seasons ago but he hasn’t been as prolific as they may have liked over that trip and a foray back into the 6f division looks a wise move.

A low draw is not ideal but with how he is going to be ridden I don’t think it will be that important and at double figure prices he looks a sound each way play. 

4.20 – Jersey Stakes – Saber Strike set for take off

I’ve told as many people who would listen to me that SABER STRIKE is the bet of the week at Ascot this week. I have been very impressed with his two victories to date so far as the form not only stacks up but the manner as to which he has won has been very dominant.

Both performances have suggested there is plenty more to come but I suppose it was his run at Newmarket last time in a strong contest which has sold people on his ability.

He got too far behind that day but still powered down the dip and back up out of it to get himself out of trouble, beating two very useful horses in the process.

This stiff 7f will be right up his street here and I just pray he gets the breaks at the right time because I genuinely believe he might be the best three year old this season. 

5.00 – Wokingham Stakes – Rush heading to the top in Double quick time

DOUBLE RUSH would have been the handicap bet for a lot of punters this week and I see no reason to change that selection now.

He has been ultra impressive in his two Newmarket victories so far this season and there is a strong assumption that he might just be a Group horse in a handicap.

Trainer Andrew Balding has already mentioned the July Cup as a possible target after this and if held in that high regard then he ought to be going close here.

At a slightly bigger price, I would give a good mention to HAMMER THE HAMMER who has plenty of top form in hot handicaps last year.

This looks to have been the plan for this year and his prominent racing style will suit this race. At 25/1 he looks a wise each way saver. 

5.35 – Golden Gates Handicap – Credit in the bank always welcome at this stage

A wide draw is almost a must in this handicap over 1m 2f so I am almost completely discounting anything drawn low.

The Wathnan horses have obvious chances although I wonder how much both have left in their handicap marks now.

One horse who could definitely still have any amount left to come is ACCREDIT. Closely related to the great Enable, John Gosden’s 3 year old has clearly been kept back for this race as we have not seen him yet this season.

Usually when such a stable lays a horse out for a handicap it is worth taking note so I am not wanting to miss out here at 9/1 as I think this could be his first and last start in a handicap. 

6.10 – Queen Alexandra Stakes – O’Brien overlooked in Ascot finale

Le Destrier could be anything here in all honesty but no one really knows for sure and I don’t like taking 2/1 about something I don’t know much about.

To me, it looks like ILLINOIS has been overlooked here as he is arguably the class horse of the race. Second in last year’s Gold Cup and a close second in the Goodwood Cup to this year’s Gold Cup winner, he has top notch, recent form with the best stayers around.

His recent form over shorter is probably best forgotten as he has been on pacemaking duties both runs this season, presumably just waiting for a crack at this race. He comes out on top on the ratings and I think it might just take a really good one to beat him. Is there one in here? We will find out. 

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