3 minute read
It's Day 1 of Royal Ascot but there won't be a royal procession and there won't be public.
No betting on the colour of The Queen's hat so it is straight to business with 5 group races out of the 7 on the card.
The Queen Anne G1 is down the 1600m straight and has a field of 16 which should make it interesting. Circus Maximus is having his first start for the year and is favourite at 5/2 for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore. Terebellum won the Dahlia recently which earns a quote of 10/3 with Frankie Dettori keeping the ride for John Gosden. Fox Chairman is 13/2 for Andrew Balding and Silvestre de Souza and our roughie here is the old boy Mustashry 12/1 for Sir Michael Stoute and Dane O'Neill. Stoute horses have a well-earned reputation for Ascot so pays to keep them safe.
The Ribblesdale Stakes is G2 for the 3yo fillies over 2400m and in normal times would follow on from the Oaks but not this year. Favourite on 5/4 is the Frankel daughter Frankly Darling in the hands of John Gosden and Frankie Dettori. Trefoil is a daughter of Teofilo and is on 9/2 for Ralph Beckett and Harry Bentley. We rather like Miss Yoda for this – she's 6/1 and Gosden's second string. She's by Sea The Stars and has had 3 wins and 1 place in her 4 outings. Passion is on the same quote for Aidan and Ryan and of course is by Galileo.
The King Edward VII is G2 for the boys over 2400m and again is before the Derby this year. Mogul is another Galileo out of a Danehill mare and has won two of his four starts. He's 4/5. Arthur's Kingdom is another Coolmore runner and no prizes for guessing he's by Camelot. Dettori has the ride. We like Papa Power here for King Power Racing with de Souza getting the ride for Balding. He's won his last 2 this year and 10/1 is great value if you can get it.
The King's Stand is G1 down the 1000m straight with 11 runners. Battaash is the standout here and although he's odds on he is a champ. Glass Slippers is speedy and is 4/1, Liberty Beach 15/2 and we are not giving up on Equilateral just yet – 10/1.
The Duke of Cambridge is G2 and again down the straight 1000m. 11 runners with Jubiloso on top for Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore at 11/4. Nazeef is 10/3 for Gosden and Jim Crowley, Queen Power another Stoute runner with de Souza in the irons and we are going for Magic Lily here on 14/1 for Charlie Appleby and William Buick.
