Royal Ascot Day 5 Tips: Owen eyes strong finish on Saturday

Overall, it hasn't been the best Royal Ascot for me - or my pocket. However, after a 10/1 winner in the lucky last on Thursday and three more on Friday, I'm hopeful of a positive end to the week.

Here's my Royal Ascot Day 5 tips, featuring my most-confident NAP yet.

14:30 - Flight Signal @ 7/1

Carry The Flag's form has been franked this week and Aidan O'Brien's son of No Nay Never is absolutely the one to beat in the Norfolk Stakes - a Group 2 over the minimum trip of five furlongs for two-year-old colts and geldings.

That being said, FLIGHT SIGNAL looks a highly-creditable rival for Archie Watson and Wathnan Racing.

The Mehmas colt was a £180k breeze-up buy who made a taking debut at Bath last month.

He beat Clive Cox's Jaan Ki Turki, who ran well in defeat in the Coventry Stakes on Tuesday, by three-and-a-quarter lengths under a hands-and-heels ride from Hollie Doyle, who was very complimentary about her mount afterwards.

James Doyle takes over for Saturday's opener and although I'm concerned about his draw in stall six, he can go well for a trainer who excels in this sphere.

15:05 - Goliath @ 9/2

A Group 2 in name only, the Hardwicke Stakes sees two-time Fillies & Mares heroine Kalpna take on St Leger and Coronation Cup winner Jan Brughel and King George-winning French raider Goliath. Add in 2025 Betfred Derby winner Lambourn and Breeders' Cup Classic hero Ethical Diamond and it's a stellar field. Truly.

My vote goes to GOLIATH for the masterful Francis-Henri Graffard.

The German-bred six-year-old burst onto the scene in the summer of 2024, beating subsequent Arc winner Bluestocking by two-and-a-quarter lengths in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Rebel's Romance, Auguste Rodin and Luxembourg were even further adrift.

He's been a bit hit or miss since, but his third in the Hong Kong Vase before Christmas and Group 2 triumph at Chantilly last month, a lovely warm-up for Saturday's assignment, are strong pieces of form.

Connections say this has long been the plan for the son of Alderflug and I'm expecting a bold bid.

15:40 - Satono Reve @ 4/1

Just over half-an-hour later, Japan can get among the winners in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, courtesy of SANTONO REVE.

Noriyuki Hori's seven-year-old was runner-up in this race 12 months ago, to the superb Lazzat. Perhaps Joliestar is of that ilk, but I don't see anything else in the rest of the 19-strong field.

The selection is in good nick this season, winning a Group 1 at Chukyo before bumping into the imperious Ka Ying Rising in the Chairman's Sprint Prize at Sha Tin. No disgrace there. None at all.

A replication of last year's effort could be enough to take this under the peerless Ryan Moore.

16:20 - Saber Strike @ 9/4

I think we're in NAP of the week territory, folks.

SABER STRIKE looks a Group 1 horse in the making and I expect William Haggas' Night Of Thunder colt to take the world of beating in the Jersey Stakes.

He made a highly-promising debut at Redcar last November over six furlongs, beating the 89-rated Cape Ashizuri by three widening lengths.

But it was his Listed scalp at Newmarket last time out that really put him on the map. Despite doing quite a bit wrong, he saw off the challenge of the 104-rated Cerro Blanco and Stellar Sunrise (103) - quite easily in the end.

Haggas holds him in very high regard, and so do I. To put it bluntly, I'll be very disappointed if he's not up to winning this before stepping up to the highest level.

17:00 - Evening Saigon each way @ 22/1

Another big-field (28) handicap up next, the Wokingham Stakes. A 0-110 affair over six furlong worth £90k to the winner.

The draw is once again expected to have a big say, with high draws fancied. That's good news for EVENING SAIGON backers.

Hamad Al Jehani's four-year-old son of Harry Angel will emerge from the second-highest stall and the lightly-raced, Wathnan Racing-owned gelding looks to have a fine chance from there.

His second to the shorter-priced Far Above Dream at Goodwood last time out off 5lb worse terms reads well and his weight of 9st 1lb is ideal.

With Betfred paying 6 places instead of 4, this is an each-way play.

17:35 - Perisher each way @ 8/1

A mile and two is the trip for the Golden Gates Stakes, which features a field of 19 handicappers.

Wathnan Racing have reached into their deep pockets to acquire Lost Boys and Sahara King, who occupy the top two spots in the betting. They've got fine chances.

But I like the look of PERISHER for the red-hot Joseph O'Brien, with William Buick in the saddle.

The three-year-old son of Australia looks a progressive type who relished making all of the running over this 1m2f trip for the first time at Naas last month.

He mightn't get things his own way on Saturday, but he's a horse in-form for a team that's thriving, so he gets the nod. Each way again, with Betfred paying 5 places instead of 4.

18:10 - Le Destrier @ 9/4

Royal Ascot without a Willie Mullins winner? It wouldn't be right.

The Closutton handler saddles seven-year-old Le Havre entire LE DESTRIER, who was a staying-on third, beaten just over a length, to Gold Cup champ Scandinavia on his first run for the yard, in the Queen Alexandra Stakes over the extreme trip 2m5... and a half. Because why not?

That was 691 days after his last appearance at Lyon Parilly, while in the care of French-based trainer Alicja Karkosa, so the Arc entry ought to be open to a significant amount of improvement.

Will he stay the trip? That's the question he needs to answer, but I'd be hopeful on what we've seen so far. And Mullins doesn't get it wrong very often.