3 minute read

Amidst a summer featuring a Cricket World Cup, the latest installment of Love Island and the upcoming Wimbledon tennis Championships, Royal Ascot once again takes centre-stage this week as the five-day extravaganza begins with a bang at the Berkshire venue this afternoon.

Today's six-race card features three G1 races, which includes the opening £600,000 G1 Queen Anne Stakes (2.30pm). Lockinge winner Mustashry , trained by Sir Michael Stoute, is the 5/1 joint-favourite with Betfred, official bookmaker of Ascot, along with Aidan O'Brien's Le Brivido, who finished fifth in the G1 mile contest at Newbury last month. Godolphin's Barney Roy, winner of the 2017 St James's Palace Stakeshas attracted each-way money, constricting in price to 11/2 from 6/1 with Betfred following a game Listed win at Longchamp on May 23.

The £150,000 G2 Coventry Stakes (3.05pm) looks thoroughly competitive and the market is headed by 3/1 shot Arizona, who scored by eight lengths for Aidan O'Brien at the Curragh last time out. British representation is headed by the unexposed Threat (10/3), who recorded a smooth success on his debut at Newmarket on May 4 for Richard Hannon. Archie Watson has an excellent record with two-year-olds and he saddles Guildsman, a five-length winner at Goodwood on his first start earlier this month. The son of Wootton Bassett is a 6/1 shot from 7/1 with Betfred, whilst Monoski (Mark Johnston), successful on his second start at Pontefract, is 8/1 from 10/1 with Betfred for the six-furlong event.

The £500,000 G1 King's Stand Stakes (3.40pm) looks a fascinating renewal as last year's 1-2 Blue Point (Charlie Appleby/James Doyle) and Battaash (Charlie Hills/Jim Crowley) lock horns once again. The former was unbeaten in three starts in Meydan over the winter and is the 5/2 market leader with Betfred, whilst Battaash (11/4), produced a stylish performance to win the G2 Temple Stakes at Haydock on his return to action in May. Imprimis (Joe Orseno/Frankie Dettori) is bidding to become the second American-trained horse to win the five-furlong contest following Lady Aurelia in 2017 and is a 9/1 shot from 12/1 with Betfred, having captured the G2 Shakertown Stakes at Belmont at Keeneland on April 6.

Too Darn Hot  has endured a tumultuous start to his three-year-old campaign, but he bids to return to the winner's enclosure in today's £538,750 G1 St James's Palace Stakes (4.20pm). Second in the Dante stakes at York after an injury-troubled preparation, the son of Dubawi was second to Phoenix Of Spain (Charlie Hills/Jamie Spencer, 5/2) in the Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh 10 days later. John Gosden's charge, who is the mount of Frankie Dettori, has been the best-backed horse today with Betfred and heads the market for the mile contest at 9/4 from 5/2.

Willie Mullins is targeting a fifth victory in this afternoon's £90,000 Ascot Handicap (5.00pm) and he saddles Betfred's 13/2 joint-favourite Buildmeupbuttercup in the two miles and four furlong event. He heads the betting along with the Alan King-trained Coeur De Lion (Thore Hammer Hansen), who finished sixth in this race last year and was a ready five-length winner at Chester on his latest start. At bigger prices the Ian Williams-trained pair Time To Study (Jim Crowley) and The Grand Visr (Richard Kingscote)are 14/1 shots from 16/1 with Betfred. 

In the concluding Listed Wolferton Handicap (5.35pm), 2018 Irish Derby winner Latrobe (Joseph O'Brien) is a 7/1 shot from 9/1 with Betfred. The four-year-old son of Camelot has struggled so far this term, finishing last of four runners on his latest start in G2 company at the Curragh in May.

Betfred spokesman Matt Hulmes said: "Too Darn Hot is, by far, the horse punters want to be with on the first day of Royal Ascot, shortening into 2/1 from an industry top 5/2 this morning. Plenty though will be on weather watch throughout the day and the markets may change significantly later this afternoon."

Betfred Market Movers

2.30pm Queen Anne Stakes - Barney Roy 11/2 from 6/1
3.05pm Coventry Stakes - Guildsman 6/1 from 7/1 & Monoski 8/1 from 10/1
3.40pm King's Stand Stakes - Imprimis 9/1 from 12/1
4.20pm St James's Palace Stakes - Too Darn Hot 9/4 from 5/2
5.00pm Ascot Handicap - Time To Study & The Grand Visr 14/1 from 16/1
5.35pm Wolferton Handicap - Latrobe 7/1 from 9/1