Hi all,

Heavy rain arrived at Ascot before the first day of the royal meeting, with around 10mm of rain hitting the track overnight. The going was changed to good, good to soft in places on the round track before the start of the first race. I’m writing this preview before the start of racing on Tuesday, so I don’t know whether it’s even easier ground than is being described.

It should be dry on Tuesday night although there could be some showers on Wednesday afternoon. If Ascot misses the showers, it should be quicker ground today.  Well, that’s what I’m hoping for.

A Dramatic Opening Day

A dramatic day on day one of the royal meeting. Ryan Moore grabbed the headlines riding three winners – River Tiber, Paddington, and Vauban.

River Tiber had to dig deep to win what looked a strong renewal of the Coventry Stakes. He’s an exciting juvenile who can do even better over 7f. Ryan Moore mentioned the Dewhurst Stakes when interviewed on ITV and you can see why. Even the 7/1 quotes for next year’s 2,000 Guineas don’t look fanciful given the son of Wootton Bassett has the scope for plenty of improvement.

Paddington proved himself to be the best 3-year-old mile colt in beating Chaldean in the St James’ Palace Stakes. The colt is getting better with racing and the Sussex Stakes was being talked about after this decisive success. Personally, I’m hoping we’ll see him over 1m 2f later in the season as I think he’ll prove even better over that distance.

High class two mile hurdler Vauban looked well in off a mark of 101 in the concluding Copper Horse Handicap and so it proved. With the 5-year-old running out a 7 ½ length winner. The proverbial Group horse in handicap. Not just any Group horse either, a potential Group 1 stayer who will be even better over 2m.

Punting wise it was also brilliant for those of you joined the Victor Value Service for the five days. A big profit courtesy of Triple Time in the first. Closely followed by a Ahorsewithnoname winning the Ascot Stakes and Chillingham landing the each-way money in the last at early priced advised 20/1.

I couldn’t have asked for a better start to the meeting. It will get harder as the week goes on. However, I will be disappointed if we can’t end the week in front after Tuesday.

Royal Ascot – Day 2

The race of the day is the Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes (4:20) and its that race that I have previewed on the Geegeez site. Two big field juvenile races book end today’s card which makes it’s a tricky one. The highlight for me though is my favourite race of the meeting the Royal Hunt Cup (5:00).

The meeting gets underway as ever at 2:30 with the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes and it’s that race that provides the Daily Punt’s big race preview.

2:30 – Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) – 5f

Twenty seven juvenile fillies most of whom who are open to further progress what’s not to like.

Karl Burke has a formidable bunch of 2-year-olds, and he saddled last year’s winner. He’s got two leading contenders in Bright Diamond and Got To Love A Grey. The first named was a £360,000 breeze-up purchase and her professionalism was evidence when winning at Nottingham on her racecourse debut 14 days ago.

Got To Love A Grey also won on her racecourse debut at Nottingham and the followed up in a York Listed race. Others might be open to more improvement. But given the attitude she showed last time she won’t be far away.

Born To Rock looked like a Royal Ascot filly when winning at Yarmouth on her racecourse debut 28 days ago. She’s open to further improvement and William Buick is a positive jockey booking.

Ryan Moore is an interesting jockey booking forFrench Challenger Balsam. The daughter of Wootton Bassett got off the mark at the third attempt when beating six rivals in a Listed race at Vichy last month. Another going the right way and can get into the frame provided she’s as effective on quicker ground.

Verdict: I’m expecting the Karl Burke fillies Bright Diamond and Got To Love A Grey to go close. Ryan Moore is an eyecatching booking for French challenger Balsam. However, my preference is for Born To Rock.

Born To Rock – 6/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.

Good luck with your Wednesday bets.

John