ROYAL ASCOT 2019. DAY ONE TUESDAY 18th JUNE

Tuesday Weather update -- High Temp of 20C Starting dry. Plenty of cloud around too, especially during the morning, and a chance of some wind and showers later.

Going -- Good to soft (soft in places)

DAY ONE
This years Royal Ascot meeting will be the usual fashion stakes and social event, and Her Majesty The Queen still gets out and about not bad given she's 93 you know, not sure if she'll be accompanied by Prince Phillip but has William, Catherine, Meghan and Harry on standby if she needs more support. 

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, and a field of 16 will line up for our opener this year. They include last years 33/1 winner ACCIDENTAL AGENT and a repeat of that feat is not out of the question. Godolphin run there here Barney Roy, Dream Castle, Mythical Magic but while they will no doubt be ready the one I would love to see win is LAURENS. For a relatively small yard and owner this 4yo filly has been campaigned at group 1 level and deserves a win at the Royal meeting.

2:30 Royal Ascot - Queen Anne Stakes (1m)
RESULT
1st. Lord Glitters 14/1
2nd. Beat The Bank 20/1
3rd. One Master 20/1

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 17 and it's a minefield with only three of them having no winning form to boast about but all could run well so finding the winner here will be tricky. 

Naturally the first port of call is to see what Aiden O'Brien sends over from Ballydoyle and he has four runners headed by ARIZONA who was impressive in a Curragh maiden winning by 8L and could be one to follow. Richard Hannon knows his way around 2yo horses so THREAT will probably be up there having seen off a Godolphin odds on fav in his only start and represents Cheveley Park Stud. For an interesting big price each way option maybe MAKYON from Mark Johnston's yard who doesn't send horses here without a big chance.

3:05 Royal Ascot -- Coventry Stakes (6f)
RESULT
1st.   Arizona  15/8f
2nd.   Threat   4/1
3rd.   Guildsman  6/1

BLUE POINT WINNING THE KING STAND LAST YEAR

At 3.40 our second Group 1 race of the week is the KINGS STAND sprint over 5f, where 12 will line up to charge down the course and the draw will be as vital as the splits for some. BLUE POINT won this last year and having been in Dubai winning at the World Cup meeting and will be hard to catch here if coping with the change in climate. BATTASH was runner up in this last year and the Temple Stakes winner will be seeking some revenge, but might play second fiddle again with the likes of MABS CROSS and SERGEI PROKOFIEV in a strong line up today.

American trainers are coming over more often and Joseph Orseno sends IMPRIMIS who has Frankie Dettori booked to ride and is a multiple winner stateside, is an unknown outside of those conditions but wouldn't be a big shock if running a strong race here and worth a look at in the paddock and betting ring. 

3:40 Royal Ascot -- Kings Stand Stakes (5f)
RESULT
1st.   Blue Point 5/2
2nd.  Battash. 2/1f
3rd.   Soldiers Call 16/1

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. With over £300k to the winner its a strong field of 11, featuring TOO DARN HOT who was the outstanding 2yo but has had injuries and struggled this term, could still win this but am going to oppose in favour of stablemate KING OF COMEDY who won at Sandown when I was there and even though Frankie has swapped is still the one who appears to have improvement there. 

Aiden O'Brien is always feared though two of his three are about 100/1 so must rely on CIRCUS MAXIMUS. 

WITHOUT PAROLE WINNING ST JAMES PALACE 2018

4:20 Royal Ascot -- St James's Palace Stakes (1m)
RESULT
1st  --   Circus Maximus  10/1
2nd  --  King of Comedy  4/1
3rd  --   Too Darn Hot  2/1f

At 5.00 it's the ASCOT STAKES over the Gold Cup distance of 2m 4f for 4yo's+. Only 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. 

Jamie Osborne has been in good form lately and despite the fire at his stables runs JUKEBOX JIVE here who was out in Dubai earlier in the season and at 33/1 a nice each way selection for us. While ARCTIC FIRE is a 10yo and better known as a hurdler does have winning form on the flat and should be there at the finish too.

Willie Mullins and Ryan Moore team up with BUILDMEUPBUTTERCUP and will be a short price to succeed here today while his Irish NH nemesis Gordon Elliott runs MENGLI KHAN and will be interesting to see what the market moves are for these. 

5:00 Royal Ascot -- Ascot Stakes (2m 4f)
RESULT
1st  --  The Grand Visir   12/1
2nd  --  Buildmeupbuttercup  7/1
3rd  --  Time to Study   16/1
4th  --  Fun Mac   11/1

And at 5.35 we finish off Day One with the WOLVERTON STAKES over just under 1m 2f and is a change from recent years where the Windsor Castle stakes used to be run at the end of day one, this will now be run tomorrow. A field of 16 runners here and it's 6/1+ the lot so finding the winner is not that straightforward. 

Only MAGIC WAND gets any sort of weight allowance here for Aiden O'Brien but it's his son JP that we like here with LATROBE who was last years Irish Derby winner and any sort of form would surely be hard to beat here even over the slightly shorter trip. Be careful with your bets as both MOUNTAIN ANGEL and MOUNTAIN HUNTER are close in the race card and could well be close at the finish too at decent prices. Good luck

5:35 Royal Ascot -- Wolverton Stakes (1m 1f 212y)
RESULT
1st --  Addeybb  5/1
2nd --  Magic Wand   9/2
3rd -- Elarqam   5/1 

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.