ROYAL ASCOT 2021. DAY TWO WEDNESDAY 16th JUNE

Wednesday Weather update - It's going to be another hot sunny day on Wednesday, today's maximum temperature of 27C means you want to stay hydrated and find some shade if you can as it's a long day.
Official Going Report - Good to firm.

DAY TWO
Hope you enjoyed yourselves with day one, am still expecting more good weather again today and we will have more Group 1 action with the feature contest Prince of Wales Stakes off at 4:20 and the big handicap of the day is the Royal Hunt Cup off at 5pm. With the exception of the Prince of Wales race huge fields are the order of the day, hopefully all the horses remain in good order in this heat and we've no dramas at the start. There is still a limited attendance of 12,000 spectators all week but it's a beginning for a return to larger crowds soon with Goodwood coming up next month.

2:30 Royal Ascot - Queen Mary Stakes (2yo) [Group 2]
5f  21 runners

Once the royal party has arrived and settled down we will start today with the Queen Mary Stakes off at 2:30. This Group 2 for 2yo fillies usually throws up a good one to follow for the rest of the season and a big field of twenty-two are declared to do battle today. Plenty in with chances of course, but would want to take a good look in the parade ring as 2yo's can be bit anxious especially with big crowd and company. 
As we saw on the opening day Wesley Ward has an interesting runner over from America with TWILIGHT GLEAMING a winner of her second race at Belmont and needs to be taken very seriously with John Velazquez over for the ride, Frankie Dettori is onboard another American filly ARTOS and the two look quite lively in the opening show. Aiden O'Brien only fields one, relying on YET winner of a Dundalk maiden from Orinoco River who also lines up again. 

Lively Outsider - with the yard going well this year and their 2yo's impressive BEAUTIFUL SUNSHINE can be backed to win/place here for trainer George Boughey was sent off odds on favourite for both her novice wins and has shown plenty of speed albeit in much smaller fields. 
RESULT
1st - (18) Quick Suzy @8/1 [Gary Carroll].

3:05 Royal Ascot - Queen's Vase Stakes [Group 2]
1m 6f 34y  14 runners
The Queen's Vase next up at 3:05 and a field of 14 line up. A very strong Irish contingent here with six of the thirteen and most of them fancied in the market. Aiden O'Brien has three including the two favourites (at time of publishing that is) both Arturo Toscanini as well as Wordsworth run for the Coolmore owners, while his other runner Kyprios is part owned by Moyglare Stud is hard to pick from the three maybe Wordsworth just edging it and the choice of Ryan Moore. Other Irish runners include Benaud, Ruling (both J O'Brien) and Taipan from Jessica Harrington. 
The home challenge is led by John Gosden three runners STOWELL (L Dettori), Law of the Sea and Pied Piper while the winning run of Mark Johnston's DANCING KING is going to be put to the test, but wouldn't rule out a huge run again.
RESULT
1st - (6) Kemari @15/2 [W Buick].

3:40 Royal Ascot - Duke of Cambridge Stakes [Group 2]
1m  12 runners

The Duke of Cambridge Stakes is off at 3:40 and this Group 2 for fillies and mares has attracted a field of thirteen, despite having to give the field weight (5lb in most cases for last years Group One success) CHAMPERS ELYSEES could still be the one to catch for Johnny Murtagh. Excuses on soft/heavy going this season and will surely relish the return to a faster surface. The one to be aware of is LADY BOWTHORPE if she can repeat her Lockinge Stakes run is clearly a danger, while the King Power Racing colours are carried by QUEEN POWER and having taken another group contest at York in some style (ran away winning by 8L) there ought to be a battle up front in the final furlong.

Lively Outsider - Although only 4th in the Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket, INDIE ANGEL [WON 22/1] was a couple of lengths behind the trio of Lady Bowthorpe (1st), Queen Power (head 2nd) and Lavender's Blue (neck 3rd it was a quality renewal the Dettori factor could get her into the places at 25/1 on current show?

RESULT
1st - (8) Indie Angel @22/1 [Frankie Dettori].

4:20 Royal Ascot -- Prince of Wales's Stakes [Group 1]
1m 1f 212y  7 runners

Today's Group 1 race THE PRINCE OF WALES STAKES goes off at 3:40. Just the seven declared so it's a small and select field and includes last year's winner LORD NORTH [Non Runner] who ended last season with a creditable 4th in the Breeders Cup Turf, then went over to Dubai to win a Group One there should be tough to beat again. The likes of LOVE a multiple classic winner and successful again at this level in Yorkshire Oaks makes her seasonal return though might want a little further is hugely respected, trainer Aiden O'Brien also has Armory too on the back of his win at Chester. Sangarius was put in his place in the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown last time while My Oberon will prefer this surface to the soft going encountered in France which leaves with Desert Encounter and Audarya [2nd 10/1] to complete the field. The latter could be one to watch having been placed over in Paris at the Arc meeting then won at the Breeders Cup, but this is her seasonal return and took a couple of races to get going last term.

RESULT
1st - (7) Love @11/10f [Ryan Moore].

5:00 Royal Ascot - Royal Hunt Cup
1m  30 runners

The big handicap of the day is the Royal Hunt Cup at 5pm with only the 30 declared (excluding the three reserves) it's clearly fairly simple to pick and if you still in the placepot today, best of luck! The field will thunder down the straight mile course, would expect runners to split and I favour the far side though would depend where the bulk of the pace is early on. Lets try and pick two out of the pack to have an interest in, MAGICAL MORNING (J Gosden) was staying on to chase home the winner in a Doncaster handicap and like everyone will need some luck in runner with such a massive field. I also consider ASTRO KING (Sir M Stoute) who has a turn of foot if able to race up with the pace and strike late, was considered unlucky at Thirsk last time out, Ryan Moore in the saddle a big plus. Godolphin run REAL WORLD [WON 18/1] and this is a very lightly raced horse, all runs on dirt in Meydan so if there's any chance he takes to turf could be high up the list, but it's a big IF.
Lively Outsider - CLIFFS OF CAPRI. Has plenty of experience in big fields, and run at the Royal meeting before (4th Buckingham Palace Handicap) can use all that to his advantage and while not a young horse, the 7yo is surely overpriced here at 33/1
RESULT
1st - (28) Real World @18/1 [Marco Ghiani].

5:35 Royal Ascot - Windsor Castle Stakes
5f  27 runners

The penultimate event of the day is the Windsor Castle Stakes at 5pm with only the 28 declared (excluding the three reserves) it's clearly fairly simple to pick and if you still in the placepot today, best of luck! A big hand to the stalls handlers at the start for all their wonderful efforts with these big fields this week. A quick word for former top jockey Darryll Holland who has his first Royal Ascot runner today SILKS PASS, working with former champion jockey Kieren Fallon who is the assistant trainer at the yard which started with a team of 20 horses and this one was a winner up at Redcar on sole start good luck to you. Expect both GOLDEN BELL and RUTHIN to be popular in this huge field of lightly raced 2yo's and maybe BARGING THRU can do just that with Hollie Doyle riding for Archie Watson who has a trio of runners here.
RESULT
1st - (10) Chipotle @22/1 [Charles Bishop].

6:10 Royal Ascot - Kensington Palace Stakes (Handicap)
7f 213y  18 runners (Fillies and Mares)

We end the day with another new race for this years meeting, a handicap for fillies and mares which has attracted a field of eighteen and we will race on the round course. Field headed by the Sir Michael Stoute runner LIGHTS ON who has won her last two races in the famous Cheveley Park Stud silks, the most recent win was at this track and appears to be a big player despite the weight burden. So I Told You is also chasing a hat trick for Joseph O'Brien but those two wins at Sligo don't amount to a great deal in my view so we'll opt for STUNNING BEAUTY for Godolphin, three wins in the Uk having run in Dubai in far better races, the return to these shores and climate appears to have suited could still have more to offer for this well bred filly.

RESULT

1st - (16) Lola Showgirl @12/1 [Laura Pearson].

Results will be updated in the evening and we will have details for Thursday's Ascot Gold Cup card posted up as early as possible. Hope you enjoying the week thus far, we are as long as the big price winners keep coming, two more today, miles ahead. Nice. 

ROYAL ASCOT 2021. DAY ONE TUESDAY 15th JUNE

Tuesday Weather update - High Temp of 24C Starting dry. Plenty of cloud around too, especially during the morning, and while unlikely to get rain it's looking at being a very humid week. 
Official Going Report - Good [Good to Firm in places].
DAY ONE
This 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.

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]

6f  17 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].

BATTASH WINS 2020 KING'S STAND 

3:40 Royal Ascot -- King's Stand Stakes [Group 1]

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).

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. 

Palace Pier Wins in 2020

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

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] .

6:10 Royal Ascot -- Copper Horse Stakes
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.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2020 - ENGLAND vs CROATIA 13th JUNE 2021

The delayed European Championship will begin on Friday 11th June 2021 as ITALY kick off against TURKEY the opening game in Group A takes place at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. This championship was always going to see games being played in multiple countries there is no single 'host' nation although Wembley will be used for the semi finals and the final itself. England begin their campaign in Group D with a 'home' fixture at Wembley against world cup finalists Croatia, kick off is 2pm and the game will be shown live in Uk on BBC Tv.
Naturally we are thinking of Christian Eriksen and his family after the disturbing scenes during the Denmark vs Finland game on Saturday, pleased to read he's stable in hospital and responding thanks to the quick action of the medical teams and his teammates, keep well.

Team News
England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has been ruled out of Euro 2020 with a thigh injury. The Liverpool right-back hurt himself in the closing stages of Wednesday's friendly against Austria and a scan revealed he has suffered a quad tear. The 22-year-old is expected to be side-lined for around six weeks and will return to his club for rehabilitation.

Manager Gareth Southgate has named Brighton and Hove Albion's Ben White as his squad replacement, hopefully we don't lose anymore players, am already worried that we take players who are carrying an injury, Jack Grealish springs to mind although he was one of the better players on show in the game against Austria but will he last the tournament with the amount of kicks he gets.

England will face Croatia today in Group D, which will also contain Czech Republic and the auld enemy Scotland who will be next up on Friday evening, but let's take one game at a time.

England XI  1    [Sterling 57']
Pickford (Gk),  Walker,  Stones,  Mings,  Trippier,  Phillips,  Rice,  Foden,  Mount,  Sterling,  Kane (c).

Croatia XI  0
Livakovic (Gk),  Vrsaljko,  Vida,  Caleta-Car,  Gvardiol,  Modric (c),  Brozovic,  Kovacic,  Kramaric,  Rebic,  Perisic.

Head to Head
We've played against Croatia ten times in all Internationals (including friendlies) winning five, drawing two and losing three. And while the most recent of those wins came in the 'UEFA Nations League' in 2018, it's the 2-1 semi final defeat in the last World Cup in Russia that still really hurts. 

2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia have lost just two of their last 11 Euros games. Elsewhere in the same group Scotland will begin their campaign at Hampden Park against Czech Republic on Monday 14th (2pm). While Wales were in action in Group A on Saturday afternoon (2pm) in the Olympic Stadium in Baku which ended 1 - 1 thanks to a Kieffer Moore header though man of the match was surely goalkeeper Danny Ward for Wales.

We will update later with confirmed starting line ups, and will follow the fortunes of the home nations this summer. A good win for England, even if the result was narrow we had the best of the opportunities and a good finish by Raheem Sterling to give England their first opening game success.