The countdown to Royal Ascot 2012 is finally over and racing fans have five days of sensational racing to look forward to.
The action kicks off on Tuesday and some of the world’s greatest horses will all be preparing to battle it out on the grandest stage of them all. Day one is arguably the best of the week and lovers of the sport will be hoping to serve it up to the bookies and land the first blow on what should be a fascinating five days.
2:30 Queen Anne Stakes (British Champions Series) (Group 1) Class 1 1m
Royal Ascot explodes into life with the Queen Anne Stakes and Frankel (1/6,
Paddy Power), the world’s greatest racehorse, will be looking to maintain his unbeaten record in some style. Henry Cecil’s superstar is impossible to oppose and he is fully expected to take this before stepping up in distance later in the season. It’s becoming increasingly apparent that there are no chinks in his armour and his army of followers can expect another brilliant display from the colt.
However, he is a very short price and a much more attractive proposition is backing EXCELEBRATION (11/10,
William Hill) in the ‘without Frankel’ market. Aidan O’Brien’s miler would be a short priced favourite for the Queen Anne any other year and with Frankel out of the equation; he looks to be more than capable of seeing off the field. He looks to have improved under the hands of his master trainer and the Ballydoyle raider can chase home the favourite for the fourth time.
Nick Wilby’s selection – Excelebration (11/10,
William Hill) in the ‘without Frankel market’
3:05 King´s Stand Stakes (British Champions Series & Global Sprint Challenge) (Group 1) Class1 5f
A massive 23 horses go to post for the King’s Stand Stakes and the race has a typically international flavour to it.
She might not be Black Caviar, but Ortensia (5/1,
Blue Square) is a high class sprinter in her own right and the Al Quoz Sprint winner heads the betting for her latest task. She is a fascinating contender and her victory in Dubai this year was impressive, but there is a feeling this trip could be on the sharp side and it might make more sense to side with Roger Charlton’s BATED BREATH (11/2,
Boylesports) who returned to action with a pleasing success in the Temple Stakes.
The selections has some high class form to his name and was unlucky not to add a Group One to his CV last season. His connections will be thrilled that the rain has stayed away over the last couple of days and if he can build on his comeback run, he could be hard to catch.
French raider Wizz Kid (6/1,
Ladbrokes) could easily land a blow with a little more luck in running and the Honk Kong duo Little Bridge (12/1,
BetVictor) and Joy And Fun (16/1,
BetVictor are also respected.
Nick Wilby’s selection – Bated Breath (11/2,
Boylesports)
3:45 St James's Palace Stakes (British Champions Series) (Group 1) (Entire Colts) Class 1 1m
Last season’s St James’s Palace Stakes went the way of Frankel and although there is nothing of his calibre in this year’s field, POWER (7/2,
Boylesports) is a proven Group One performer and a worthy favourite for this year’s race.
Aidan O’Brien’s Irish 2000 Guineas hero has been living in the shadow of stablemate Camelot this season, but the 2011 Dewhurst Stakes second is a classy operator and the way he powered past his rivals last time out was mightily impressive. O’Brien is sure to have him roaring for his trip over the Irish Sea and his fast-finishing style can see him confirm the form with his Guineas rivals.
Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Lucayan (11/1,
Paddy Power) was flattered by that Group One victory, but he would be dangerous to dismiss while we can expect a much bigger performance from Mikel Delzangles’ Dragon Pulse (12/1,
Sky Bet) who would have a great chance on his best form.
4:25 Coventry Stakes (Group 2) Class 1 6f
23 horses line up for the Coventry Stakes and there is bags of potential amongst a hugely competitive field.
Richard Hannon saddles the favourite for the race in the shape of Sir Prancealot (4/1,
Ladbrokes) and though the trainer has admitted he doesn’t have another Canford Cliffs on his hands, he clearly holds the market leader in high esteem. He has done nothing wrong so far this season, but neither has DAWN APPROACH (9/2,
Ladbrokes) who looks like he could be the one to beat.
Jim Bolger has had plenty of success with juveniles like Teofilo and New Approach in the past and though Dawn Approach might not be in their league, he remains unbeaten and looks to be getting better with every start.
Last seen battling to an impressive victory over another Hannon horse at Naas, Dawn Approach looks to be the best juvenile in Ireland so far this season and he can prove he is the best either side of the Irish Sea on Sunday.
Aidan O’Brien’s horses always warrants plenty of respect here and Cristoforo Colombo (9/2,
Ladbrokes) could be anything on only his second start.
Nick Wilby’s selection – Dawn Approach (9/2,
Ladbrokes)
5:00 Ascot Stakes (Handicap) Class 2 2m4f
A thoroughly competitive renewal of the Ascot Stakes can go the way of AL KHAWANEEJ (8/1,
Coral) who will be looking for his third victory on the bounce.
David Simcock’s four-year-old battled to victory at Goodwood last time following victories at Wolverhampton and Kempton and although he is five pounds higher in the handicap for his latest success, he remains open to some improvement.
The way he powered to that victory was impressive and he looks to be a massive horse on the up.
Willie Mullins’ Simenon (15/2,
Stan James) and Ashbrittle (9/1,
Coral) are likely to be popular, but Elyaadi (9/1,
William Hill) looks like he could be coming back to something like his best and he can chase home Al Khawaneej.
Nick Wilby’s selection – Al Khawaneej (8/1,
Coral)
5:35 Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed Race) Class 1 5f
The Windsor Castle is sure to be fast and furious and Richard Hannon’s LYRIC ACE (4/1,
BetVictor) looks a worthy favourite following his two victories this season.
The son of Thousand Words is sure to be popular and he will be tough to beat if he’s in the sort of form he showed when beating the subsequent Woodcote Stakes winner Chilworth Icon at Kempton.
He is entered in the Group One Phoenix Stakes and he looks like an early season colt with bags of pace. With Richard Hughes in the saddle, the selection could put these rivals to the sword, although Liber (14/1,
Paddy Power) also looks an attractive betting opposition and the drop in trip could see him go very close.
Nick Wilby’s selection – Lyric Ace (4/1,
BetVictor)
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