Tuesday Weather update -- High 20C Staying dry. Areas of cloud around, especially during the morning, but still bright and warm, sunny spells will develop as the day goes on
Going -- Good [Good to firm in places]
This years Royal Ascot meeting will be the usual fashion stakes and social event, hey even Her Majesty The Queen will be there ... but is it more than just a fashion parade?
YES is the correct answer ... Well if you can get in and fight through the crowds (or better still grab yourself a bit of free corporate hospitality "cough cough" Betfair) then at least you can say you are seeing some of the best racing of the season with Group 1 races each day, top class sprints and big field competitive handicaps.
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.
Recent winner KNIGHT OF THUNDER is a multiple G1 winner and took the Lockinge last time out proving his well-being now under Godolphin ownership.
The French raiders will always be worth a look and SOLOW looks the pick of the pair here though I wouldn't discount anything Andre Fabre runs so ESOTERIQUE looks big price at 20/1 and worth a punt for the win/place market.
2:30 Result
1st 6 Solow (M Guyon, 11/8 fav)
2nd 8 Esoterique 16/1
3rd 2 Cougar Mountain 16/1
The Coventry Stakes is our second race and takes place at 3.05 over the straight 6f track. This 2yo race 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 One will be tricky.
The Irish raiders dominate this market with Aiden O'Brien's AIR FORCE BLUE a winner of a Curragh maiden with Ryan Moore keeping the ride, and Jim Bolger's dual winner ROUND TWO though his wins were both on soft ground and this faster surface is an unknown.
The home challenge is headed by AGE OF EMPIRE from the Hannon yard, and could give Richard Hughes a Royal Ascot winner in his final year here as a jockey.
3:05 Result
1st 5 Buratino (William Buick, 6/1)
2nd 2 Air Force Blue 7/2
3rd 7 Eltezam 12/1
4th 3 Beaverbrook 33/1
At 3.40 our second Group 1 race of the week is the Kings Stand sprint over 5f, where 19 line up to charge down the course and the draw will be as vital as the splits for some.
SOLE POWER won last year and while not in top form so far will probably have been prepared for this event and should not be far away if the breaks come at the right time. (Drawn 6)
On the higher side and a bigger price we take a punt on the chances of PEARL SECRET (Drawn 17) at around 20/1.
3:40 Result
1st 2 Goldream (M Harley, 20/1)
2nd 7 Medicean Man 50/1
3rd 8 Muthmir 3/1
4th 9 Pearl Secret 14/1
At odds on he doesn't appeal as a betting option though with only 5 rivals it's tricky to know what to do other than just watch the race and chill.
The French runner MAKE BELIEVE won a G1 at Longchamp last time and is probably the one for the forecast.
4:20 Result
1st 4 Gleneagles (R L Moore, 8/15 fav)
2nd 5 Latharnach 25/1
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.
First up is BROXBOURNE who has a wonderful strike rate of 10 wins from 28 career starts over both codes. Now with Nicky Henderson and has Jamie Spencer in the saddle so couldn't be in better hands. Is available about 16/1 which I find incredible and will be snapping that up.
I also want to be on CLONDAW WARRIOR from Willie Mullins yard, placed in big field handicaps at Fairyhouse and Punchestown recently will be ready for this and Ryan Moore in the saddle so should go well.
5:00 Result
1st 14 Clondaw Warrior (IRE) 5/1 f
2nd 3 Fun Mac (GER) 8/1
3rd 4 Elishpour (IRE) 25/1
4th 10 Noble Silk 20/1
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 27 runners here and yet it's only 4/1 the field.
This is very much a watch and learn race, but if you HAVE to bet then try two against the field in ORVAR and RUBY NOTION.
The latter coming over from the USA, one of a team of 10 horses trained by the great Wesley Ward coming to the Royal meeting and are unlikely to be here just for the air-miles.
5:35 Result
1st 21 Washington Dc (R L Moore, 5/1)
2nd 4 Areen 14/1
3rd 20 Steady Pace 4/1F
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. Enjoy
