Horse Racing Tips: Ed Quigley's Ascot Best Bets for Friday, July 24

Written By Ed Quigley | Published at July 24, 2026

Royal Ascot logo is seen on day one during Royal Ascot 2018 at Ascot Racecourse on June 20, 2018 in Ascot, England.

It's Friday, and it's a busy afternoon of action in store, with Ascot's King George meeting getting underway. Ed Quigley is back in the hot seat, and has been in belting form lately, firing in the winners from all angles. Ed is on hand to serve up his best Horse Racing Tips for the day, seeking out the value angles amongst the races.

Friday's Horse Racing Tips for July 24: Firehorse is an unexposed type, and Fantasy Believer could bounce back in an open looking event...

Ascot 2.55 - Firehorse e/w

Firehorse looks just the type of individual who could have more to offer up at 7f, and Tom Marquand is booked for the ride...

Firehorse is totally unexposed and is a fascinating runner in this Listed race over 7f. The Sean Woods trained representative has had just the one start, and ultimately won nicely over 6f on debut at Kempton. He looked in need of the experience and in a fair amount of trouble 2f from home, but engaged overdrive inside the hard yards and in the end found plenty in the tank to forge clear at the business end of proceedings. On the visual evidence of that performance, the step up an extra furlong in trip for this assignment should really suit and the booking of Tom Marquand heightens confidence. This is a wide-open looking encounter, and this son of Cotai Glory looks to have major claims of keeping the unbeaten tag intact. This combination look the each-way value in this Listed encounter on what should be pretty quick ground.

Ascot 4.05 - Fantasy Believer e/w

Fantasy Believer has been in the doldrums but enjoys Ascot and Oisin Murphy is in the saddle...

Fantasy Believer hasn't been firing on all cylinders in recent times, but the veteran looks worth a crack at this trip. Off a mark of 90, he isn't impossibly handicapped and if he brings his A-game to the table, he can make a lot of people sit-up and take note. Oisisn Murphy is in the saddle, and Fantasy Believer could easily get in the shake-up here returning to a track in which he has been successful at twice in the past. Conditions should be fine and if he hit the frame at attractive odds it wouldn't be a big shock. I like this team and each-way price. He is just the type of individual who could pop up at a price given that he has the raw materials to run well off his current rating.

Ascot 5.12 - Desert Treasure

Desert Treasure has been disappointing lately, but looks well handicapped based on early promise...

Desert Treasure has failed to shine on her last two starts, but could bounce back here off a reduced mark for the Tom Marquand and William Haggas combination in this Fillies' Handicap. The daughter of Ten Sovereigns looked potentially very smart after winning both her starts last year, but so far this campaign, things haven't clicked. However, they were tougher races than this in which she had disappointed, and now dropping down the Handicap to a mark of 78, she has every opportunity of showing her true colours here in this Class 4 event. Underfoot conditions should be fine, and it is far too early in the day to be writing off her chances for powerful connections. I think she is more than capable of bouncing back, where there should be a nice pace to aim at, and looks the value play in this intriguing looking encounter.