Its Day 1 of Royal Ascot featuring some of the greatest equine athletes on the planet including superstar sprinter Battaash and the World’s top rated horse Palace Pier.
We preview each race, every day of the Royal meeting.
Race 1: Queen Anne Stakes
Palace Pier will take all the beating here. He’s the top rated horse in the world and has won 7 of his 8 starts. Should he fail to perform Bless Him can take advantage. He will be given a patient ride by Jamie Spencer and can pick them off near the finish.
Race 2: Coventry Stakes
American Trainer Wesley Ward rarely leaves Royal Ascot without a winner and Kaufymaker can get a win for him in the Coventry. She receives weight from all her rivals and her trainer has been very vocal of her chances.
Of the others The Organizer was a rare first time out winner for his trainer Joseph Tuite. The form of that race might not be the strongest but he won like a very good horse.
Race 3: King’s Stand Stakes
This race really revolves around Battaash, if he is fit and if the 7 year old still retains his ability. If those to questions are yes, then he should win this.
Winter Power is the new kid on the block and has won his last 3 starts. He’s definitely still improving, gets weight from all his rivals but has never run against this quality of opposition.
The other worth looking at is Liberty Beach. He was 3rd in this race last year, comes here in good form and should be fighting out the finish.
Race 4: St James’s Palace Stakes
The third Group 1 of the day and as open a Group 1 as you will ever seen. Poetic Flare has the strongest form having won the English 2,000 Guineas and most recently finishing 2nd in the Irish 2000 Guineas. He slightly underperformed in the race between those 2 runs but was held up on that occasion which probably didn’t benefit the horse.
Mostahdaf is the selection. He’s unbeaten in all 3 starts and has improved rapidly with each run. He’s never run over these fast conditions but he could be very special and is worth a chance.
Race 5: Ascot Stakes
Jumps trainers have a good record in this and Cape Gentleman and M C Muldoon head the market. Preference would be for Cape Gentleman who has star jumps jockey Rachael Blackmore having a rare run on the flat.
At bigger odds, it may be worth going with Elysian Flame. He was unlucky to not finish closer at Chester and comes here in better form than most.
Race 6: Wolferton Stakes
Blue Cup was an excellent winner at Epsom and whilst this is a step up in grade he can definitely get involved.
The alternative would be Solid Stone who is a typical Michael Stoute horse. He’s lightly raced who put in a career best performance when winning a similar to race to this at Windsor five weeks ago.
Race 7: Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap)
The first Handicap race of the week and Saldier will be hard to beat. He was a high-class hurdler who won easily on his last start on the flat.
On To Victory is the top weight and ticks a lot of boxes but his best form is under softer conditions, things may just happen a bit too quick for him.
