ROYAL ASCOT 2017. DAY ONE TUESDAY 20th JUNE

Tuesday Weather update -- High Temp of 28C Starting dry. Areas of cloud around, especially during the morning, but it's going to stay HOT this week so slap on your sun cream and keep plenty of fluids in you.

Going -- Good to firm

DAY ONE
This years Royal Ascot meeting will be the usual fashion stakes and social event, and Her Majesty The Queen having to combine her birthday (91 you know) with racing and the State Opening of Parliament this week on Wednesday it's just as well she's still got plenty of stamina. 

Six races to enjoy starting at 2.30 with our first Group 1 of the meeting which is the QUEEN ANNE stakes over the straight mile course. 

A fantastic opening race with runners from Uk, Ireland, and USA competing for the £380k prize plus Group 1 glory. It's the overseas stars that I would focus on for betting purposes, DEAUVILLE [3rd 12/1] won a big race in the States last year and then placed in the Arlington Million and the yard are obviously very strong here at a big price of 14/1. 

I also like the American horses coming over and taking their changes, it's a big price but the top one AMERICAN PATRIOT has Frankie Dettori on board which must be a big plus and is priced at 25/1. Looks too big to me as they don't come over for the day out or indeed for the weather.

2:30 Royal Ascot - Queen Anne Stakes (1m)
RESULT
1st -- RIBCHESTER 11/10F
2nd -- MUTAKAYYEF 5/1
3rd -- DEAUVILLE 12/1


The COVENTRY STAKES is our second race and takes place at 3.05 over the straight 6f track. This Group 2 race for 2yo's has attracted a field of 18 and it's a minefield with only a few having no winning form to boast about but all could run well and finding the winner here will be tricky. 

We have done well following some of the American trainers who have come over in recent years and once again trainer Wesley Ward has brought a live contender with AWAWAK who won a maiden at Belmont Park by a long way and won't have come here for the sunshine. Should be well supported along with the Aidan O'Brien and Richard Hannon horses. 

At far bigger odds though is US NAVY FLAG who is priced up at 40/1 and while not one of Aidan's stable stars you won't see that price on one of his and can't believe they'd bring one without some talent to the Royal meeting when they have a yard full of talent to choose from.

3:05 Royal Ascot -- Coventry Stakes (6f)
RESULT
1st -- RAJASINGHE 11/1
2nd -- HEADWAY 33/1
3rd -- MURILLO 8/1


At 3.40 our second Group 1 race of the week is the KINGS STAND sprint over 5f, where 18 line up to charge down the course and the draw will be as vital as the splits for some.

Although it's the likely favourite it seems sensible to take LADY AURELIA very seriously having won here last year in the Queen Mary stakes and another of the strong Wesley Ward raiding party. 

Both MUTHMIR and PROFITABLE should give their connections and supporters a run for their money but don't quite have the scope of the US candidate. One that might be a bit more forward is Sir Mark Prescott's MARSHA and the old man still knows how to plot a route to here and having won the Palace House stakes last month had many of these opponents behind most notably Washington DC . 

3:40 Royal Ascot -- Kings Stand Stakes (5f)
RESULT
1st -- LADY AURELIA 7/2
2nd -- PROFITABLE 14/1
3rd -- MARSHA 11/4F

The feature event is at 4.20 the Group 1 ST JAMES'S PALACE STAKES over a mile for 3yo colts and they race on the round course. Expecting a good field for this race although Aidan O'Brien seems to have about a third of the field where CHURCHILL is likely to be a very short price favourite for this. 

The Godolphin operation run the next pair in the market with both BARNEY ROY and THUNDER SNOW decent but will have to improve to catch Churchill surely, the one at big odds for a place might be RIVET who having been placed in a G1 at Deauville then ran with merit in the French Derby but probably didn't really stay the additional 2f there. 25/1 looks a big price and should be a good place price on Betfair.

4:20 Royal Ascot -- St James's Palace Stakes (1m)
RESULT
1st -- BARNEY ROY 5/2
2nd -- LANCASTER BOMBER 12/1
3rd -- THUNDER SNOW 6/1


At 5.00 it's the ASCOT STAKES over the Gold Cup distance of 2m 4f for 4yo's+. Just the 20 runners here but unlike the sprint events I think they should be fairly strung out come the end and we'll focus on two against the field that should find the trip to their liking. 

No surprise to see a number of NH stables and runners represented, Willie Mullins will always be strong here and has the likely favourite with THOMAS HOBSON who will be ridden by Ryan Moore. Other NH trainers to note are David Pipe (INICIAR), Paul Nicholls (HIGH SECRET) and champion NH Trainer Nicky Henderson who saddles BEYOND CONCEIT for who Jamie Spencer is booked. 

Of the flat trainers there's YORKIDDING who has won around here and should stay for Mark Johnston and with that one priced around 20/1 will do as my win/place selection today. 

5:00 Royal Ascot -- Ascot Stakes (2m 4f)
RESULT
1st -- THOMAS HOBSON 4/1F
2nd -- ENDLESS ACRES 10/1
3rd -- WHO DARES WINS 5/1
4th -- RAINBOW DREAMER 12/1


And at 5.35 we finish off Day One with the WINDSOR CASTLE STAKES over 5f for 2 year olds only. A max field of 24 runners here and yet it's only 4/1 the field and it's that man again Wesley Ward who seems to have a strong hold with a pair of fancied runners ELIZABETH DARCY / NOOTKA SOUND. 

With Silvestre De Sousa in such sparkling form his charge ANOTHER BATT could be interesting at a price with the jockey keeping the ride having won at Ripon last time out. 

5:35 Royal Ascot -- Windsor Castle Stakes (5f)
RESULT
1st -- SOUND AND SILENCE 20/1
2nd -- ROUSSEL 12/1
3rd -- JAMES GARFIELD 25/1

Result will be updated in the evening and we will have details for each of the five days of Royal Ascot posted up as early as possible. Hope you enjoy the week.