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22 June 2025

Royal Ascot Day Five Highlights Topgear Moments Of Joy And More

Aidan O’Brien’s Moments Of Joy leads juvenile hopes while international raider Topgear targets Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes in final day action

Royal Ascot's final day on Saturday, June 22, 2025, promises an exhilarating conclusion to one of the world's premier horse racing festivals, with a lineup packed full of top-class runners and intriguing betting prospects. As the week has unfolded under uncomfortably warm weather, the action on this fifth day is set to deliver thrilling contests across seven key races, each brimming with talent and potential surprises.

Starting off at 2:30 PM with the Chesham Stakes, the spotlight shines brightly on Moments Of Joy, a juvenile filly from the renowned Aidan O'Brien stable. Having impressed on her debut at Leopardstown by narrowly defeating Little Sure Shot, Moments Of Joy embodies a blend of class and tenacity that has caught the eye of punters and experts alike. The Sun's Templegate highlights her as part of Ballydoyle's dominant juvenile campaign, noting her victory mirrors that of last year's Chesham winner Bedtime Story. Her odds have been super-boosted to an enticing 2/1 for a top-two finish, reflecting strong confidence in her ability to uphold Ballydoyle's fine form at the meeting.

However, Harry Wilson offers a compelling alternative tip for the Chesham Stakes in Humidity, a promising colt who made a winning debut at Newbury last month. Humidity's performance was marked by a higher Topspeed figure than his rivals on their debuts, and his pedigree is notable—he is a brother to Holloway Boy, the 2022 Chesham Stakes winner. Having recently been acquired by Wathnan Racing, Humidity is expected to thrive stepping up in trip, making him a serious contender in this Listed event.

The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at 3:40 PM is one of the week's marquee events, drawing an international field of sprinters. Among the standout entries is Topgear, trained by Christopher Head. This six-year-old French raider has shown a remarkable transformation since dropping in distance, capturing the Group 2 Challenge Stakes at Newmarket last October in dominant fashion and recently bolting up in a Group 3 at Longchamp. His speed and recent form suggest he could be primed for his first Group 1 success over this testing six-furlong trip. The Racing Post's Garry's Double tip also backs Topgear alongside Marvelman, underscoring his appeal.

Speaking of Marvelman, this Andrew Balding-trained colt is tipped for the 4:20 PM Jersey Stakes. Marvelman boasts a solid record, including a second-place finish at Salisbury and a commanding return win at Kempton. Despite encountering tough competition in the Listed Charles II Stakes at Newmarket, his high-class form positions him well to challenge in this Group 3 contest. Meanwhile, Donnacha O'Brien's Comanche Brave is another prominent Jersey Stakes candidate. Bred for the race—his dam Ishvana won it in 2012—Comanche Brave has been progressing steadily, with a notable Group 3 placing at Leopardstown and a promising, if somewhat unlucky, run in the Irish 2,000 Guineas. Harry Wilson also backs Comanche Brave, citing his strong performances over seven furlongs and the advantage of the fast ground.

At 5:00 PM, the Wokingham Stakes features Symbol of Honour, a three-year-old who has been making waves this season. Trained by Charlie Appleby, Symbol of Honour has shown versatility and class, notably edging out West Acre in a valuable Meydan event and capturing the Group 2 Sandy Lane at Haydock. His progression suggests he can make his class count in this competitive six-furlong handicap. Templegate's tip here is Aramram, who arrives in fine form following a comfortable win at Newbury and two recent seconds at Newmarket, boosted by the booking of Ryan Moore and a fair weight rise.

The Golden Gates Stakes at 5:35 PM is another highlight, with multiple contenders vying for attention. Joseph O'Brien's Glen To Glen, previously trained by Jim Bolger, is favored by some experts due to his strong handicap form and potential improvement from the trainer switch. Yet, Harry Wilson offers Sallaal as his pick, a colt with a distinguished pedigree as a half-brother to three-time Group 1 winner Benbatl and related to 1,000 Guineas winner Elmalka. Sallaal’s recent form, including wins around Hamilton and a fifth-place finish in the Feilden Stakes, suggests he could find further improvement over this longer trip. Stephane Wattel’s Best Secret is also noted for his steady progress and success in valuable handicaps at Longchamp, adding depth to this competitive field.

Finally, the Queen Alexandra Stakes at 6:10 PM closes the day with a marathon test over two miles and five and a half furlongs. Dallas Star, trained by Andrew Murray, has shown stamina and resilience, highlighted by a recent third-place finish over two miles at Down Royal and a strong chase behind the mighty Kyprios at Leopardstown. Harry Wilson, however, tips Wild Waves, a stayer with solid form including a big run in the St Leger and a promising effort in the Melrose Stakes at York. With Ryan Moore having ridden three of Willie Mullins’ four previous winners of this race, the jockey’s involvement adds an extra layer of intrigue.

Beyond these headline races, other notable tips include Rebel’s Romance for the Hardwicke Stakes at 3:05 PM, a seven-year-old who excelled last season with four top-level wins and recent strong performances in Doha and the Yorkshire Cup. Jarraaf is recommended for the Wokingham Stakes by Harry Wilson, having shown significant progress last year and likely to improve further following a recent return. Seraph Gabriel and Aramram receive nods from Templegate for their respective races, emphasizing the depth of talent across the card.

The fifth day of Royal Ascot encapsulates the blend of history, international competition, and betting excitement that makes this festival a highlight of the racing calendar. With a mix of proven stars, rising juveniles, and international raiders, the races promise to be fiercely contested. Punters and fans alike will be keen to see if favorites like Moments Of Joy and Topgear can deliver on their promise, or if dark horses like Humidity and Sallaal can spring surprises.

As the sun sets on Ascot, the outcomes of these contests will not only shape the immediate fortunes of trainers, jockeys, and owners but will also contribute to the rich tapestry of Royal Ascot lore. Whether it's the tactical brilliance of Aidan O'Brien’s juveniles, the international flair brought by French and Japanese contenders, or the sheer stamina displayed in the marathon Queen Alexandra Stakes, day five is set to be a fitting finale to a memorable week of racing.