Royal Ascot – Day 1

Hi all,

I’m back from my holiday and I managed to forget about racing for seven days which means I’m raring to go for five days of thrilling racing at Royal Ascot. I'm well prepared and can't wait for the action to begin.

Mind you I did meet a lovely couple (Mick & Carol) from Selby who like to do the ITV Seven. So I couldn't totally escape the sport.

They missed the major thunderstorms at Ascot, and put 5mm on the straight track.  Looking at the weather forecast for the next five days it looks like were going to be in the hands of the weather gods.

It’s going to a busy five days for your truly.  You will be able to get all my in depth Royal Ascot previews and selections for just £5 here.

Given the amount of research I have put in the previews themselves are worth the cost alone.

In addition to providing Victor Value subscribers with 35 race previews over the five days I’m also doing four race previews for the ever excellent Geegeez website.

There’s plenty I fancy today as I do for the rest of the week so there are going to be a lot of bets over the next five days.

This week’s columns will be shorter than normal and I’m sure you will appreciate why that's the case.  Today and for the next five days I will be previewing one race from Royal Ascot.

Royal Ascot: Its more than a racing festival

Royal Ascot is arguably the most prestigious horse racing event in horse racing. We have 35 of the most competitive races that you will see all year. However, Royal Ascot is more than a racing festival. The clue is in the name. It’s one of the most prominent events in the British social calendar known for its high-fashion and royal attendance. Indeed, it looks likely that the new King will lead the Royal procession for all five days of the meeting. That’s both important for the meeting and the sport.

Frankie Dettori is riding at his last Royal Ascot so not surprisingly he’s got an excellent book of rides over the five days. He will have a few winners this week but that said his mounts are likely to be over bet.

Frankie rides Manaccan in the King Stand Stakes (3:40). I put him up in the column each way at 50/1 after his seasonal return at Newmarket but his odds have tumbled since Frankie was confirmed for the ride. I think he’s plenty short enough now and I will be taking him on with a couple at bigger odds. Of course, I’m hoping he wins as that means I will likely end the meeting in profit after day one but he’s a poor price at single figure odds.

The meeting gets underway at 2:30 with a Group 1 contest over a mile on the straight course and its that race that provides today’s race preview.

2:30 – Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) – 1m

Inspiral makes her belated seasonal reappearance as she did 12 months ago when producing a great change of gear to win the Coronation Stakes 12 months ago. On her day she’s arguably one of the best milers around. A worthy enough favourite but she can throw in a poor performance, and I want to take her on.

Charlie Appleby runs a couple of big contenders in Modern Games & Native Trail. The first named won his first Group 1 in England when winning last month’s Lockinge Stake at Newbury. He’s more consistent than Inspiral and should give his running once more.

Native Trail runner-up in last year’s 2,000 Guineas before going one place better in the Irish version hasn’t recaptured that level of form on his last two starts but if he does, he would be a major player.

Arguably the most fascinating of the twelve runners is Triple Time. I fancied him for the Lockinge Stakes before he was a late non-runner. The 4-year-old returned from a 12 month absence to win a Group 3 at Haydock last September. He disappointed in a Group 2 at Longchamp the following month when unsuited by the testing ground. Although he’s got a bit to find on ratings. He remains with potential and Kevin Ryan runners in Group 1’s should never be underestimated.

Queen Anne Stakes Verdict:

Look not a vintage renewal of the race. But there’s a good sized field and it looks a competitive race. . On a going day Inspiral is the most likely winner. However, she can throw in a poor run and if she does then Native Trail could be the one to take advantage. He does need to bounce back from a lesser run on his seasonal return but a strong pace would put him bang there if back to his best. Buick opts for Lockinge winner Modern Games but James Doyle is a more than adequate replacement in Group 1 races at the meeting – 3 wins from 9 bets +31 4 placed when teaming up with Charlie Appleby in Group 1 races. Of the rest I can see Triple Time outrunning big odds provided he gets a sound surface.

Triple Time – 28/1 @ Coral (paying 3 places).

Good luck with your Royal Ascot bets.

John