Racing
Royal Ascot Day 1 Win 6 | 16th June
14.30 Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) (Str)
The opening Group 1 of the week is the Queen Anne Stakes and there’s a strong chance multiple top-level winner NOTABLE SPEECH will be able to get punters off to a great start.
He’s likely to come up against stablemate OPERA BALLO but the former was so impressive in the Lockinge at Newbury and will prove extremely tough to beat with a repeat performance.
He didn’t enjoy the best of trips when fourth behind Docklands in this race twelve months ago but must have every chance of putting matters right this time.
Tips: NOTABLE SPEECH & OPERA BALLO
15.05 Coventry Stakes (Group 2)
NIGHT IN VEGAS made it two wins from two starts when scoring at Goodwood following a smooth win on debut over C&D and must be respected. RULER’S PRIDE won easily the first time out at Ayr and is another to consider.
Ballydoyle’s pair CONFUCIUS and GREAT BARRIER REEF are others to consider. They were both last-time-out winners and must be included in this red-hot renewal. Richard Hannon’s leading representative CUT A DASH must be feared, too.
Tips: NIGHT IN VEGAS, RULER’S PRIDE, CONFUCIUS, GREAT BARRIER REEF & CUT A DASH
15.40 King Charles III Stakes (Group 1)
Australian representatives always deserve the utmost respect given their good record at this meeting, so Bjorn Baker’s OVERPASS, who heads the market, has to be worth a second look.
This two-time Group 1 winner hasn’t won for a while but this isn’t the strongest of renewals and his early assured pace might catch a few of these out, which will give him a distinct advantage. French raider RAYEVKA is played as cover.
Tips: OVERPASS & RAYEVKA
16.20 St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1) (Rnd)
The rematch between BOW ECHO and Gstaad should be a belter and it’s George Boughey’s charge who I think will confirm the Newmarket form and make it five wins from five starts.
He was so impressive when retaining his unbeaten record in the 2000 Guineas and will arrive fresher than his old foe, as the latter was last seen winning the Irish version at the Curragh.
The son of Night Of Thunder has a lot more room for improvement compared to his main rival and this race should give him an ideal setup, given how well he travels and can quicken when needed to.
Tips: BOW ECHO
17.00 Ascot Stakes (Heritage Handicap)
Joseph O’Brien could hold the key to this stayers contest.
GALILEO DAME (4th) and PUTURHANDSTOGETHER (7th) both ran with the utmost credit in the Chester Cup last time out.
They were given far too much to do but stayed on strongly late on and must have more to come on that evidence. Dylan Browne McMonagle opts for the latter, while Colin Keane is booked for the former.
Given both have proven their stamina, and have seemingly been laid out for this race, I can see them having a big say in the outcome. I really like the claims of the pair.
Tips: GALILEO DAME & PUTURHANDSTOGETHER
17.35 Wolferton Stakes (Listed)
A classy renewal of this Listed event, with plenty to consider. Last year’s impressive winner HAATEM will strip fitter from his comeback run at Goodwood last month and has a good course record, so he must enter calculations.
GHOSTWRITER goes well fresh and has placed several times at the highest level. He hasn’t been seen since finishing third in the Hardwicke Stakes at this meeting last year, but this has presumably been the target, and he’s a huge player.
WIMBLEDON HAWKEYE is another with some form in the book (in group events) and will come on plenty from his run at Sandown. He ran well when fourth in the King Edward at this fixture twelve months ago and looks primed to be thereabouts.
Tips: HAATEM, GHOSTWRITER & WIMBLEDON HAWKEYE
