The first day of Royal Ascot should see Frankel easily win the Queen Anne Stakes, although Ortensia is the hot pot for the King’s Stand Stakes
Derek Thompson was speaking to
Betfred and here is the verdict of the Channel 4 TV presenter:
It is the best looking Royal Ascot I can remember – it starts with Frankel and ends with Black Caviar – but watch out!
With over 100 runners expected on every day this week I reckon we are going to be in for more than our fair share of surprises!
OK we might have long odds on favourites in Frankel and Black Caviar but remember there are no certainties in racing!
I also reckon there are some big priced horses that could run some big races!
With so many runners there will be plenty of hard luck stories and although that may explain why the horse didn’t win I still want to see my investment first past the post!
Frankel’s full brother Bullet Train will lead them in the Queen Anne Stakes on Tuesday – just like he does at home – and then Tom Queally will say go and the race will be over! (2.30 BBC)
That’s the theory and it should be the same in practice but if you want an each way danger or one for the exacta go for Strong Suit who turned in a fantastic gallop at Richard Hannon’s last week!
Sole Power who was a fast finishing 2nd in the Betfred Temple Stakes to Bated Breath in course record time could well get his revenge with the ground now in his favour in the Kings Stand Stakes tomorrow.(3.05 BBC)
However Ortensia is an Aussie raider I like who beat them all in Dubai and I have been impressed every time I’ve seen her in her stable.
Also don’t rule out Jane Chapple Hyamm’s Secret Asset indeed the trainer told me last week that her horse is too big a price!
The St James Palace Stakes brings together the Irish and French 2000 guineas winners in the shape of Power and Lucayan and these 2 classic winners could well fight out the finish. (3.45 BBC)
However Foxtrot Romeo ran a big race first time out when 2nd to Power in Ireland and fellow northern raider Gabrial looks great each way value as well!
Power won the Coventry last year and this year Aiden Obtien has 2 runners including the Joseph Obrien ridden Christophore Colmbo but watch out here for the unbeaten Richard Hannon trained Sir Prancalot.( 4.25 BBC)
He has looked a real flying machine and although there are stamina doubts as jockey Richard Hughes said after winning the National Stakes at Sandown –‘ he certainly wasn’t stopping!’
Cosimo de Medici is an interesting runner in the Ascot Stakes (5.00 BBC) and Smoothtalkinrascal is a horse I like in the Windsor Castle Stakes.(5.35 BBC).
Richard Hughes is on record as saying that Fort Bastion who won so well at Newmarket is his best ride of the week in the Jersey stakes on Wednesday. (2.30 BBC)
However Reply was a promising 3rd in the Irish 2000 guineas and Sentaril is unbeaten!
Barefoot Lady could be the forgotton horse and the value bet in the Windsor Forest Stakes. (3.05 BBC)
Remember 12 months ago she ran a close 3rd in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes and a repeat of that would see her go close at a big price here and she does have the services of the champion jockey Paul Hanagan.
So You Think might be a red hot favourite to win the 150th anniversary of the Prince of Wales Stakes but he was 2nd in the race last year and might have to be 2nd again to HM The Queen’s Carlton House.(3.45 BBC)
3rd in the Derby and 4th in the Irish derby last year the Royal colt came out and won the Brigadier Gerard stakes at Sandown and has been working well here on the Newmarket gallops and on the jogging machine!
Carlton House goes on the equine treadmill here at HQ and certainly won’t be beaten through lack of fitness!
Paul Darcy and George Margerson may be small trainers compared to some of the bigger names here at HQ but they know how to win the big races and Darcy’s Edinburgh Knight and Margerson’s Excellewnt Guest both look set to run big races in the ultra competitive Royal Hunt Cup. (4.25 BBC) .
Graphic Guest who beat Hairy Rocket at Windsor can confirm that form for Mick Channon in the Queen Mary (5.00 BBC) and I hope Lady’s First will live up to her name in the Sandringham Handicap. (5.35 BBC).
Don’t forget I’ll be there every morning from 7 am to check out the conditions and see which horses are out on the track!
