Just over 2 weeks since the Derby & Oaks weekend at Epsom, Royal Ascot is upon us. 5 days of great racing at the Berkshire track, with plenty of Group races & International runners aplenty.
The King will be there with the rest of the Royal Family & no doubt, some famous (Or Infamous) faces will show up on our TV screens during the 5 days!
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THIS IS A ROLLING BLOG covering ALL 5 Days of ROYAL ASCOT.
Thursday –
Chris –
3.45pm Ribblesdale Stakes
A typically competitive renewal with several fillies having something to prove. Forest Fairy fits in to that category having only finished midfield in the Oaks at the end of last month. She was previously very impressive when landing the Cheshire Oaks on just her 2nd start, having had to wait an age for room on the run-in before getting up right on the line. A return to a more conventional track today should see her resume that progress and makes great each-way appeal at the current double-figure odds.
Neil –
3.45, Ribblesdale Stakes, 1m4f, Group 2, Fillies.
Another intriguing race of it’s type here, it’s very rare Wetherby would produce a Royal Ascot winner unless it was in something like the Ascot Stakes but I think there’s a useful filly in this race in the shape of the John Gosden trained DANIELLE.
She broke her maiden tag at the Yorkshire venue back in April before running a solid enough race in the Lingfield trial a few weeks later.
In that race she ran with credit and it is noticeable her trainer side stepped the Oaks to come here instead, the pace will be solid enough and although it hasn’t quite gone to plan this week for the Newmarket trainer, hopefully this will be the one that gets him into the winners enclosure again.
4.25, Gold Cup, 2m4f, 4yo+
A real stellar renewal of the ultimate staying test on the flat (apart from the Newmarket Town Plate and the Kiplingcotes Derby) with that mix of the current crop and the younger generation all facing off at the royal course.
No shock to see Kyprios as favourite and he could go odds on when the gates open if the Ladies Day money comes pouring in and with that I’m mind I’m going for an each way earner in the 5yo mare, CAIUS CHORISTER for trainer David Menuisier.
An improving type last season she has made the switch from handicap to pattern company quite well and comes here off the back of two solid runs at Ascot and Sandown where she got into scrapes with three of the field and came runner up in both of them behind Coltrane and Sweet William respectively.
Here she gets a useful 3lb allowance which will aid her cause and she shapes as if the extra four furlongs will suit her down to the ground.
Jamie –
3:05 – King George V Stakes (Handicap)
Selection: Poinros
As you would expect there are several horses in with a great chance of landing 12f handicap. The London Gold Cup is always a good guide to this race and Poinros performed well in that very race last time around to finish second. Having finished second in a novice stakes at Windsor in April, it was a fair hike in class for this son of Golden Horn at Newbury. Having raced at the rear of the field Poinros made smooth progress through the field and finished off his race well, suggesting that a step up to 1m 4f is the correct call at this stage. If he can continue his progression then I think he will be bang there in the closing stages. The main danger? I think Gilded Water holds big claims having bolted in in a Chepstow maiden, I was tempted to put him up as my main choice but I like the look of Poinros and that Newbury race always works out well.
6:10 – Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap)
Selection: Northern Express
29 runners go to post for the finale to Gold Cup day. Northern Express has been a stalwart in these big 7f -1m handicaps the last couple of years and boasts a nice record over C&D. Michael Dod’s charge, now a 6yo, has been placed three times from four starts at Ascot and finished a running on third in this race last year. Last time out Northern Express returned to top form at York when just narrowly denied in a Class 2 Handicap, I liked the way the front two (Port Lynas & Northern Express) pulled clear in the final furlong. Connections will have been delighted by that run after a couple of below par efforts to open his 2024 season. Stall 18 isn’t a bad draw as the middle of the course looks the place to be. At 16/1 in places I am going to take an each way punt on this likeable horse. Shop around for extra places…
Rich –
2.30 Norfolk Stakes – Group 2 – 2yo Only – 5f…
Arizona Blaze – Sergi Prokofiev X Liberisque colt.
A winner on debut in a Curragh 5f Maiden by 1 & 3/4 lengths in March. Finished a 3 & 3/4 length 2nd to Whistlejacket in a Curragh 5f Listed race on May 6th before regaining the winning thread in the Marble Hills 5f Group 3 by a head on May 25th at the Curragh – EACH WAY – 3RD 14/1 SP
5.05 Britannia Stakes – Handicap – Class 2 – 3yo Only – 1m…
Mission to Moon – US Navy Flag X Many Hearts colt.
2 runs this season, both over 7f. He won on his seasonal return in a Class 3 Goodwood Handicap by 1 length on May 4th before finishing a 1 & 3/4 length 2nd to Roscolyn in the Molson Coors Class 2 Handicap at Epsom on May 31st – EACH WAY
Wednesday –
Chris –
3.45pm Duke of Cambridge Stakes
Rogue Millennium was sold for a huge fee over the winter and joined the Joseph O’Brien yard. She ran a decent race in defeat when 3rd at the Curragh last month. Struggling for room on the run-in and being left with too much to do. That should put her spot-on for the defence of her crown today and holds some of the strongest form thanks also to her close 2nd behind Tahiyra in the Matron Stakes last September. If she’s back to her best today it will take a very good one to beat her. – UNPLACED
Jamie –
3:05 – Queen’s Vase (G2)
Selection: Illinois
Aidan O’Brien fields a strong quartet of runners amongst this 12 runner contest over the 1m 6f trip as possible St. Leger types put their reputations on the line. Ryan Moore has opted to ride Illinois over Highbury, who looked very promising at Leopardstown last month, so that must be a sign of confidence in the Lingfield Derby trial runner up. Considering that the Ballydoyle team weren’t firing on all cylinders at that point I thought it was a solid run, even more so now after the winner Ambiente Friendly pushed City Of Troy all the way in the Derby. I think a step up in trip will help unlock more potential in Illinois, who has always been held in high regard at home. His stablemate Grosvenor Square needs to improve from his Chester Vase effort but with the step up in trip sure to suit I like him as an each way possibility. – WINNER 7/4
4:25 – The Prince Of Wales’ Stakes (G1)
Selection: Inspiral
Always one of my favourite races of the meeting that features an illustrious roll of honor. This year’s renewal sees two Breeders Cup champions from last year go head to head. Auguste Rodin bids to get back to winning ways against top older mare Inspiral. I haven’t given up hope on Auguste Rodin but he’s just too inconsistent for my liking and with quick conditions underfoot I really fancy Inspiral to notch up another top level success. It seems like Inspiral needs this trip now and she fairly rattled home over 1m 2f in the Filly & Mare Turf at the Breeders Cup last November. It has to be said that it was a below par return in the Lockinge but I’m happy enough to put a line through that run as it was a messy race. The Gosden stable seem very happy with her and I can see her using that powerful turn of foot to great effect today. UNPLACED
Rich –
2.30 Queen Mary Stakes – Fillies’ Group 2 – 2yo Only – 5f…
Enchanting Empress – Sergi Prokofiev X Yolo Star Filly.
A 3 & 1/2 length winner on debut at Wolverhampton in April, in a 5f Class 5 Maiden, when beating Kaadi, who has since finished 3rd in a Chantilly Listed race.
He won again over C&D in a 5f Royal Ascot Trail Class 2 Conditions Stakes, beating Rock Hunter by a neck on May 1st. The fair also fought out the finish on May 23rd in the 5f National Service Listed Stakes at Sandown, with Rock Hunter finishing a 1/2 length runner up again.
Has recently changed trainers – EACH WAY – UNPLACED
5.05 Royal Hunt Cup (Handicap) – Class 2 – 3yo+ – 1m….
Beshtani – Siyouni X Beshara 4yo gelding.
French horse, who moved to the UK in the Autumn. When running in France, he won 3 of his 6 starts & finished 2nd in a 1m La Teste De Buch last September & won his last race in France over 1m at Chantilly on the All Weather.
He made his UK debut at Epsom on May 31st in a Class 2 Handicap over 1m 113yds, from a mark of 104, finishing 2nd by a nose from Too Tempting, who has since won another Class 2 Handicap on June 15th & runs from the same mark of 104. – EACH WAY – UNPLACED
Tuesday –
Chris –
2.30pm Queen Anne Stakes
A really fascinating renewal to kick off the 2024 royal meeting, with no clear and obvious standout contender at the top of the market. Facteur Cheval landed his maiden G1 in the Dubai Turf last time out, after a host of good efforts last term. The son of Ribchester hasn’t finished outside the top 3 since a 2yo and only narrowly went down to Paddington in the Sussex Stakes. A strongly run mile looks ideal and he is versatile regarding ground and tactics. I’m expecting a big run from him to get us off to a winning start.
UNPLACED
5.40pm Wolferton Stakes
The Gosden stable have a strong hand here and I’m siding with the more unexposed Torito. The son of Kingman has had just 6 starts to date and has been steadily progressive, including last time out when 3rd over 9f at Newmarket, finishing first on the wrong side of a split bunch. A return to 10f looks perfect having won an Epsom handicap going away last term. He could well prove to be better than this level and reward connections who have been very patient. – 3RD
Neil –
2.30 Queen Anne Stakes, Group 1, 1m.
The marathon extravaganza of flat racing begins with a tricky and competitive looking Group One over the straight mile with a nice field of some top older milers.
Course form is always vital no matter which track it is and with that in mind I’m going in each way on DOCKLANDS who has regular pilot Hayley Turner on board at a track where he has two wins and two places in four starts.
Last year he gave Hayley another Royal Ascot winner when taking the always ultra competitive Britannia Handicap over the straight mile and while he hasn’t won in four starts since then, he has been running with credit, second here on seasonal debut in a trial race before an honourable second in a Listed contest at Longchamp, he will be far more sparkly I reckon back at his favourite course and will love being back on a straight mile, he can give another honest account of himself. 2ND 10/1 SP
4.25 St James’s Palace Stakes, Group 1, Old Mile.
Naturally all eyes will be on Notable Speech and Rosallion, the English and Irish 2000 Guineas winner and both a fullt respected in this top notch renewal.
However, we’ve seen just how well Aidan O’Brien can bring horses which have seemingly bounced and appear to be going backwards right back from the brink and he can do that again with HENRY LONGFELLOW.
One of the top 2yos in Ireland last season which resulted in a win at the Curragh in the National Stakes, things didn’t go to plan in the French 2000 Guineas and he finished right down the field but the fact he’s been kept at this trip as opposed to going either up or down in distance suggests that Aidan still retains faith in him and he can have a say in this race which he was won many times in the past. – 2ND 11/2 SP
Jamie –
2:30 – Queen Anne Stakes (G1)
Selection: Maljoom
A belting edition of the Queen Anne to kickstart the royal meeting for this year. The French send over a strong team and must be respected. At a nice price I fancy Maljoom to run a big race for the Haggas stable with the trusty Tom Marquand in the plate. It’s fair to say that this son of Caravaggio has been unlucky in his career to date. It was at this meeting two years ago where Maljoom had a terrible run through in the St. James’ Palace and finished like a train to finish fourth. I am in little doubt with a clear run he’d have won that day. Maljoom has only raced twice since and ran decently to finish third at Ascot in a listed trial for this race. Faster conditions today will help him and the harder they go up front, the better. At 10/1 in places I would advise an each way bet. – 3RD 15/2 SP
5:40 – Wolferton Stakes (Listed)
Selection: Israr
16 go to post for this race named after the little village on Sandringham estate. The Gosden’s have a strong hand to play here with Torito & Israr, the latter owned by Shadwell brings in the best form on offer. Now a 5yo, Israr has really matured in the past 12 months and his recent second to the very smart Passenger at Chester’s May meeting reads very well. Today he gets his favoured quick ground and now that this race is effectively off level weights and not a handicap, Israr holds big claims if he can run up to the standard of his Chester performance. Astro King has form in group races and going back down in trip today, 12/1 looks a tempting each way bet. The market suggests it’s between the top three. Will they be proved right?
ISRAR – WINNER 11/4 SP
Rich –
3.45 King Charles III Stakes – Group 1 – 3yo+ – 5f….
Big Evs – Blue Point X Hama Lina 3yo colt.
Winner of 4 of his 6 starts as a 2yo. Won here over C&D in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes at this meeting last year before landing the Group 2 Molcombe Stakes at Goodwood, The 5f Flying Chinders at Doncaster & the 5f Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf in November. Made a winning seasonal return in the 5f Listed Westow Stakes at York in May by 1 & 1/2 lengths. -3RD
At an EW price with Extra Places with some bookies –
Crimson Advocate – Nyguist X Citizen Advocate 3yo Filly.
Winner of the Queen Mary Group 2 Stakes over C&D last year by a nose before finishing a 2 & 1/2 length 6th to Big Evs in the BC Juvenile Turf in N November. Madea winning return in May to land the 5f Roar Stakes at Gulfstream(US) before moving to the UK. Makes yard debut.. UNPLACED
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Good Luck – The AOLR Team
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