Here we go!
Four inches is the stipulated minimum circumference of a headpiece that may be worn to Royal Ascot instead of a hat. So say the dress code police, who will be armed with hats, shawls and ties to avoid the embarrassment of guests being turned away from the gates (It wouldn't surprise me if the Daily Mail don't just hide this supply of accessories and position their photographers and reporters just around the corner to contrive another anti-horseracing story!). It's all a bit silly and sensationalist if you ask me and no different than it ever has been I would suggest - certainly not for the Royal enclosure at any rate!
Surely it would have made sense for Frankie to retain his position as number one, passing on his knowledge and experience to the young pretender, before retiring gracefully in a year or two once Barzalona had honed his skills to perfection (there's no denying he's a great rider).
I can only think that the youngster must have demanded that he join as number one or else he'd throw his toys out of the pram, spit his dummy out and go elsewhere. Prescriptions for SpecSavers required for all concerned? I have much respect for his riding skills but had never been a huge Frankie fan and used to think his 'flying dismount' was unnecessary showmanship but I have never ever wanted to see it so much as I do this week.
Now on to the (ridiculously hard) day one nitty gritty........
14:30 Queen Anne Stakes
We kick off with the main star of the day, Frankel ! I am totally convinced that when he finally gallops off this mortal coil, the vets will find that he has a heart rivalling in size those of Eclipse and Secretariat (about twice as big as average). Barring misshaps, he surely won't be beaten so we're looking for the forecast here and I would have this second place between Strong Suit (who Hughsie made some positive noises about last week but may need the run) and Excelebration. Since Excelebration has been Frankel's bridesmaid three times previously, then I will take him to repeat this a fourth time.... and if I feel like pushing my luck tomorrow then I'll go for the tricast with Strong Suit.
- Frankel 1st
- Excelebration 2nd
- Strong Suit UP
15:05 King's Stand Stakes
Only two favourites have won this in the past ten years - not a great stat! I'll going to look for a runner from the (usually favoured) high draw from stalls 15-23. Joy And Fun is a very interesting runner - having won some high class prizes in his time but at 9yo, he would be the oldest winner of this for quite some years - I'd love to see it but think a place may be his best hope. It looks as though Sole Power will become a NR come the morning (too soft) but Secret Asset has a smattering of appeal at a huge price. He likes right handed, likes a bit of soft in the going description and is 3 from 6 when teaming up with George Baker. This race entry may be somewhat optimistic but I'll pop a few pennies on each way and hope that he pulls out the performance of his life today. More realistically the runner that I like most here is Wizz Kid who was second in the Champions' Sprint Stakes here last October. He has a better draw this time round and although back down to 5f when 6f is questionably his best trip, the cut in the ground (will suit) should help counteract this.....as long as he doesn't go favourite in the morning!
- Wizz Kid UP
- Joy And Fun UP
- Secret Asset (small e/w) UP
15:45 St James's Palace Stakes
Now this IS a favourites race with the seven of the past ten winners going off favourite or joint favourite. Power is way ahead of anything else in the market and although the form of his Irish 2000 Guineas win has been questioned, I may throw my (4" minimum base) hat in with him. There are three others in the field that I think can bother him: Most Improved who missed the 2000 guineas due to injury then met traffic in the French Derby that the M25 would have been proud to call it's own (and lost his front shoes to boot). Fencing is back to his optimum mile and without a Camelot or a Bonfire anywhere to be seen. He also has a 'point-to-prove' Frankie to aid his cause. Finally, knowing Ballydoyle's tendancy to surprise us punters with the occasional long shot and 'pace maker' winner, I wouldn't totally discount Wrote. He has some smart form to his name and with Power having the poorer draw of the two, a small each way may become a worthwhile investment!
- Power UP
- Most Improved 1st
- Wrote (e/w) UP
* RIP The Nile *
16:25 Coventry Stakes
I have backed Dawn Approach antepost in this (as mentioned on this blog on Sunday) as I heard that Jim Bolger rates this unbeaten 2yo very highly indeed. He has a good draw to help as well and nothing has convinced me that I would have been better throwing my stake down a drain! A bigger priced fancy in this is Artigiano who although he came third to Funk Soul Brother on his debut (just a length behind the winner) may just have needed the experience of a couple of races to show his best. He has a lovely 2yo pedigree (half brother to a Kentucky Derby winner) but a negative is that the stable are still not firing on all cylinders just yet - although have been recent signs that the storm clouds may be passing!
- Dawn Approach 1st
- Artigiano (e/w) UP
17:00 Ascot Stakes
The marathon. A quick shufty at the past winners reveal that 8 of the past 10 have been aged 4 or 5, 8 of the past 10 winners have had an OR (official rating) of between 83 and 88 and the last time a favourite won was back in 2002 so there's something to work with! This would leave us with Ashbrittle, Twin Soul, Scots Gaelic, Tuscan Gold, Private Story and Danvilla. On the stamina front, only Ashbrittle, Danvilla and Tuscan Gold are likely to stay and the latter isn't likely to be fast enough. So by process of elimination, I have arrived at: Ashbrittle (trained by 2010 winning trainer David Pipe) who may prefer the heavens to open tonight but still has a good chance should the going remain good to soft and at the least has proven stamina. The other is Danvilla who ought to and should stay from previous showings but not from breeding and who would like some wind and sun between now and 17:00. A toughie!
- Ashbrittle UP
- Danvilla (e/w) UP
17:35 Windsor Castle Stakes
Has to be something from a high draw for me again in this 5f race. Horses owned by their trainer with a a top jockey booked always catch my interest and here, this means Tommy's Secret. He stayed on well enough last time out to demonstrate that he'll cope with this more testing track (previous runs at Goodwood and Chester) and there could be some value in an each way here. The only other with a high draw that I can entertain is Dylanbaru who I like a lot. He's way ahead of the rest of the field on speed figures and Tommy Stack isn't going to waste his time and his owner's £££ bringing him over for this unless he thinks he has a live chance .
- Dylanbaru 3rd
- Tommy's Secret (e/w) UP
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