Official Going Report - Good [Good to Firm in places].
DAY ONEThis years Royal Ascot meeting will be the usual fashion stakes and social event, sadly this will be the first Royal Ascot meeting that Her Majesty The Queen may attend this year however sadly without her husband Prince Phillip, at the grand age of 95 she'll be accompanied by Prince Charles and Camilla plus other members of the family throughout the week, Her Majesty may only show on a few days having been in Cornwall for the G7 leaders conference over the last few days. Next year will be her 70th year on the throne thus we should expect a Platinum Jubilee. A limited on course attendance is expected this year in accordance with Step 3 of the Government’s Roadmap, Royal Ascot, which runs from 15-19 June, will be permitted to host 12,000 spectators each day as part of a plan of additional 'test events', that is more than double what the race meeting had been expecting. There are now seven races on each day at the Royal meeting and races have returned to their traditional slots with the Queen Anne Stakes getting us underway on Tuesday, the first of three Group One races today.
2:30 Royal Ascot - Queen Anne Stakes [Group 1]
1m 11 runners
Seven races on the 2021 Royal Ascot cards this season and we begin at 2:30 with our first Group 1 of the meeting which is the Queen Anne Stakes over the straight mile course. We have a field of eleven lining up for our opener this year. The clear favourite and one of the bankers of the meeting is PALACE PIER winner of the St James' Palace at last years meeting and should be short price to get the Gosden/Dettori bandwagon rolling. The Kingman colt won a thrilling renewal of the St James’s Palace Stakes on the same card 12 months ago then went on to double his Group One tally in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville. Having bolted up on his return to action at Sandown before slamming his rivals in the Lockinge at Newbury last month, Palace Pier is odds-on to get Royal Ascot punters off to a flyer in the hands of Frankie Dettori. Aiden O'Brien runs two and I prefer ORDER OF AUSTRALIA over Lope Y Fernandes the former was a Breeders Cup Mile winner last November at huge odds, and although this is his seasonal return ought to be placed.
Seven races on the 2021 Royal Ascot cards this season and we begin at 2:30 with our first Group 1 of the meeting which is the Queen Anne Stakes over the straight mile course. We have a field of eleven lining up for our opener this year. The clear favourite and one of the bankers of the meeting is PALACE PIER winner of the St James' Palace at last years meeting and should be short price to get the Gosden/Dettori bandwagon rolling. The Kingman colt won a thrilling renewal of the St James’s Palace Stakes on the same card 12 months ago then went on to double his Group One tally in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville. Having bolted up on his return to action at Sandown before slamming his rivals in the Lockinge at Newbury last month, Palace Pier is odds-on to get Royal Ascot punters off to a flyer in the hands of Frankie Dettori. Aiden O'Brien runs two and I prefer ORDER OF AUSTRALIA over Lope Y Fernandes the former was a Breeders Cup Mile winner last November at huge odds, and although this is his seasonal return ought to be placed.
Big Priced Outsider - Lord Glitters, won this two years ago, multiple Group winner in Dubai this year, 25/1 has plenty of ability. [4th @28/1]
RESULT
1st - (6) Palace Pier @2/7f [L Dettori].
3:05 Royal Ascot -- Coventry Stakes [Group 2]
RESULT
1st - (6) Palace Pier @2/7f [L Dettori].
3:05 Royal Ascot -- Coventry Stakes [Group 2]
6f 17 runners
RESULT
1st - (11) Poetic Flare @7/2 [K J Manning].
5:00 Royal Ascot -- Ascot Stakes
2m 4f 20 runners
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. Several NH trainers send representatives for this Willie Mullins has the trio of Rayapour, M C Muldoon and Royal Illusion all three likely to be supported. I prefer Mark Johnston's runners in the stayers events here and the trainer saddles three as well Lucky Deal, Trumpet Man [n/r] and Rochester House, the latter would be my choice from his entries. Trainer George Boughey has been having a good season so far and his first Royal Ascot entries include LOSTWITHIEL who has taken the step up to staying distances well and with Hollie Doyle in the saddle a big plus.
Big Priced Outsider - DALTON HIGHWAY Trained by Dermot Weld and will no doubt be aimed at the Galway Festival later in the summer is a dual purpose horse, still capable and sneaks in at the bottom of the handicap, effective on all types of going and stays all day.
RESULT
1st - (6) Reshoun @66/1 [W Buick].
5:35 Royal Ascot -- Wolverton Stakes
1m 1f 212y 14 runners
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 seventeen 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. Aiden O'Brien only has one in the big field THE ACROPOLIS a twice raced colt with the big Coolmore owners, but only won a small Listowel maiden but could be anything. Elsewhere John Gosden has a pair and Frankie has picked Tolstoy (also runs Dhabab) while Wesley Ward often comes over from America with some good horses and his 2yo's are always fancied, this year he's running KAUFMAKER the only filly in today's line up the market will be very informative.
Big Priced Outsider - Vintage Clarets ran on well to take his second win at Ayr, looks a big price even in this huge field and an each way shot. 3rd 25/1
RESULT
1st - (2) Berkshire Shadow @11/1 [Oisin Murphy].
3:40 Royal Ascot -- King's Stand Stakes [Group 1]Big Priced Outsider - Vintage Clarets ran on well to take his second win at Ayr, looks a big price even in this huge field and an each way shot. 3rd 25/1
RESULT
1st - (2) Berkshire Shadow @11/1 [Oisin Murphy].
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| BATTASH WINS 2020 KING'S STAND |
5f 16 runners
At 3.40 our second Group 1 race of the week is the King's Stand sprint over 5f, where sixteen runners will line up to charge down the course and the draw will be as vital as the splits for some. BATTASH was last years winner and will once again be in the line up to defend his title, but plenty of opposition and he'll need to be at his best to retain his sprint crown. The American challenge from trainer Brendan Walsh EXTRAVAGANT KID and Frankie Dettori has been booked, a winner in Dubai this winter and a multiple winner in his homeland, has the rating of one that can give Battash plenty to think about, while the other to have a lot of interest is a 3yo WINTER POWER (TD Easterby) the filly having won her last three races takes a big leap up in class now having first won a Redcar nursery event off 76 (now 114).
At 3.40 our second Group 1 race of the week is the King's Stand sprint over 5f, where sixteen runners will line up to charge down the course and the draw will be as vital as the splits for some. BATTASH was last years winner and will once again be in the line up to defend his title, but plenty of opposition and he'll need to be at his best to retain his sprint crown. The American challenge from trainer Brendan Walsh EXTRAVAGANT KID and Frankie Dettori has been booked, a winner in Dubai this winter and a multiple winner in his homeland, has the rating of one that can give Battash plenty to think about, while the other to have a lot of interest is a 3yo WINTER POWER (TD Easterby) the filly having won her last three races takes a big leap up in class now having first won a Redcar nursery event off 76 (now 114).
Big Priced Outsider - KEEP BUSY, kept good company and not far away in the G1 Prix de L'Abbaye at Longchamp last year, low key return at Haydock on heavy ground, will be suited by this return to a faster surface and Ryan Moore a positive at 25/1.
RESULT
1st - (8) Oxted @4/1 [Cieren Fallon]
4:20 Royal Ascot -- St James's Palace Stakes [Group 1]
1m 13 runners
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. Thirteen declared and a very strong Irish challenge where Aiden O'Brien runs three, Battleground, Ontario and Wembley, the latter would be my pick of those, though his son Joseph has THUNDER MOON who didn't exactly fire in the 2000 Guineas but still should have his supporters, the winner that day POETIC FLARE is also in the line up and Jim Bolger's runner has been busy racing in all the mile classics in Uk, Ireland and France. The home challenge is led by Charlie Appleby who runs both HIGHLAND AVENUE and LA BARROSA for the Godolphin team. We do think that the unbeaten MOSTAHDAF (John Gosden) should be supported while continuing to show improvement for the step up in class though some rain would have helped.
RESULT
1st - (8) Oxted @4/1 [Cieren Fallon]
1m 13 runners
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. Thirteen declared and a very strong Irish challenge where Aiden O'Brien runs three, Battleground, Ontario and Wembley, the latter would be my pick of those, though his son Joseph has THUNDER MOON who didn't exactly fire in the 2000 Guineas but still should have his supporters, the winner that day POETIC FLARE is also in the line up and Jim Bolger's runner has been busy racing in all the mile classics in Uk, Ireland and France. The home challenge is led by Charlie Appleby who runs both HIGHLAND AVENUE and LA BARROSA for the Godolphin team. We do think that the unbeaten MOSTAHDAF (John Gosden) should be supported while continuing to show improvement for the step up in class though some rain would have helped.
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| Palace Pier Wins in 2020 |
1st - (11) Poetic Flare @7/2 [K J Manning].
5:00 Royal Ascot -- Ascot Stakes
2m 4f 20 runners
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. Several NH trainers send representatives for this Willie Mullins has the trio of Rayapour, M C Muldoon and Royal Illusion all three likely to be supported. I prefer Mark Johnston's runners in the stayers events here and the trainer saddles three as well Lucky Deal, Trumpet Man [n/r] and Rochester House, the latter would be my choice from his entries. Trainer George Boughey has been having a good season so far and his first Royal Ascot entries include LOSTWITHIEL who has taken the step up to staying distances well and with Hollie Doyle in the saddle a big plus.
Big Priced Outsider - DALTON HIGHWAY Trained by Dermot Weld and will no doubt be aimed at the Galway Festival later in the summer is a dual purpose horse, still capable and sneaks in at the bottom of the handicap, effective on all types of going and stays all day.
RESULT
1st - (6) Reshoun @66/1 [W Buick].
5:35 Royal Ascot -- Wolverton Stakes
1m 1f 212y 14 runners
At 5.35 we would usually be looking to finish off Day One with the listed contest Wolverton Stakes over just under 1m 2f, but now we've an extra race to enjoy. A field of 14 runners here and it's 5/1+ the field so finding the winner is not that straightforward. Joseph O'Brien sends over PATRICK SARSFIELD who has been runner up in his last two races, should have another big race in him. The major trainers are well represented naturally FOREST OF DEAN (J Gosden) along with SOLID STONE (Sir Michael Stoute) would be my choice against the field today in a wide open affair.
RESULT
1st - (11) Juan Elcano @14/1 [Andrea Atzeni] .
1st - (11) Juan Elcano @14/1 [Andrea Atzeni] .
6:10 Royal Ascot -- Copper Horse Stakes
1m 6f 16 runners
1m 6f 16 runners
An extra handicap on day one to complete the seven race card and it's The Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap) a race for older horses over a trip of one mile, six furlongs. We've another huge field of sixteen to ponder, they are headed by On To Victory (Alan King) a winner over hurdles but also ran with great credit when runner up last time at Goodwood, might find it hard to give weight all around today though. Taking a pair against the field with SLEEPING LION (Roger Charlton) along with AMTIYAZ WON 33/1 (John Gosden) both should be effective on the good to firm ground we expect this week.
RESULT
1st - (16) Amtiyaz @33/1 [Hollie Doyle].
Results 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.
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