Royal Ascot day four: Coronation Stakes, latest news and racing tips – live

Good morning from Ascot on day four of the 2024 royal meeting – the last of the week back in the day, but now the afternoon that lets you know you are rounding the home turn and they are about to ring the bell.

The fourth day does not feel as though it has an identity in quite the same way as the rest – opening day, Prince of Wales’s Stakes day, Gold Cup day and closing day – perhaps because there are two Group One events on the card but neither is in the 4.25pm slot that stages the feature race on the other four cards.

Instead, the Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap occupies the prime position on the programme, possibly because it works better for the World Pool betting operation in Asia (which pays a chunky flat fee to offer pool betting on the Ascot action in Hong Kong). By the time a big field of handicappers pounds around at 4.25pm, the Commonwealth Cup and Coronation Stakes will be done and dusted, which feels like a bit of a waste but it’s just how they roll.

It would also be a little churlish to criticise too much given that this year’s royal meeting is currently bucking the trend of diminishing attendance at other major events so far this year. For the third day in a row, Thursday’s crowd was slightly up on the 2023 figure, and the 55k+ expected at the track today will enjoy a fascinating clash between several very talented and closely-matched three-year-old sprinters in the Commonwealth Cup at 3.05pm. Two of the three main 1,000 Guineas winners, meanwhile, are in the field for the Coronation Stakes at 3.45, alongside the third filly home in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, and there is also a royal runner to look forward to in Hard To Resist in the Sandringham Stakes at 5.05.

The weather forecast in Berkshire continues to be bright and sunny, and the going remains good-to-firm after more watering overnight. Tips for the day’s seven races are here – and currently showing a small profit after three days, though it could easily be 0-14 from now on – and the action is underway at 2.30pm with the Albany Stakes for two-year-old fillies.