Royal Ascot 2017; Tuesday, Day One

Royal Ascot 2017 - Tuesday; Day One

Queen Anne Stakes

Ribchester (2.30) is the odds-on favourite and is unopposable in the curtain-raiser for the boys in the blue. He looked impressive when landing the Jersey Stakes at last years meeting and has been trained brilliantly by Richard Fahey to get a mile thereafter. He had the beating of plenty of these in the Lockinge Stakes last month at Newbury and should get favourite backers off to a dream start. BetVictor off ‘Lengthen the Odds’ markets on all 30 races at the royal meeting, and I wouldn’t put people off backing Ribchester to win by a couple of lengths. The Godolphin colt it is 6/4 with BetVictor to win by a length or more and 9/4 to win by 2l+.

St James’s Palace Stakes

Similar comments apply to Churchill (4.20), who was brilliant in both Guineas successes at Newmarket and the Curragh. He looks an absolute giant of a horse but seems very straightforward and very professional. Aidan O’Brien’s son of Galileo has now won his last seven on the spin, four at the highest level, and should extend that record on the opening day of Royal Ascot. The double should put punters in front on Day One!

King’s Stand Stakes

Lady Aurelia was incredible in last year’s Queen Mary but, like most of Wesley Ward’s juveniles, they are generally streets ahead of their rivals as a 2yo but are found out thereafter. Last year’s winner Priceless is over-priced, as is Muthmir, who should both appreciate the rattling quick ground. I can’t ignore Marsha (3.40) however, who became the first filly to defy a penalty in the Palace House Stakes since Lochsong in the 70s and should be spot-on to claim a second Group 1 success.

Coventry Stakes

Aidan O’Brien’s runners always warrant respect and Murillo must be working well to get the nod from Ryan Moore in the Gp 2 contest. The pair teamed-up with Caravaggio 12 months ago and the son of War Front should go close on his preferred fast ground. Brother Bear heads the market for trainer Jessica Harrington after maintaining his unbeaten record upped in grade last month however, I’m keen to take on the market principles and will throw darts at the unbeaten trio of Nebo, Prince of the Dark and Zaman in what looks a wide open race.

Ascot Stakes

The Irish have a likewise strong hand in the Ascot Stakes with Willie Mullins responsible for the favourite Thomas Hobson, bidding to land back-to-back renewals after Clondaw Warrior’s success under Ryan Moore 12 months ago. He looks short enough at around the 7/2 mark, and I’d much prefer to back Sir Mark Prescott’s Cartwright (5.00) at 20/1 with BetVictor. The selection was progressive last season, and made a winning reappearance when scoring under regular partner Luke Morris. Despite disappointing last time out at Newmarket, he is likely to appreciate the return to a sounder surface and should hopefully warm to first-time head-gear.

Windsor Castle Stakes

I can pass on a good word for Dragons Tail for the Tom Dascombe yard, who bolted-up at Chester under Richard Kingscote. But, as mentioned previously, Wesley Ward’s 2yos are plenty forward when coming to Royal Ascot and Nootka Sound (5.35) looks plenty quick enough to go close under Frankie Dettori. The well-bred colt make a winning debut across the pond earlier in the campaign and has been well-backed ante-post in the build-up.

Selections
2.30 Ribchester
3.05 Zaman - Prince of Dark - Nebo
3.40 Marsha
4.20 Churchill
5.00 Cartwright
5.35 Nootka Sounds