Royal Ascot: Day 1 Tips

BY LUKE HAWKINS

14:30 Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1)

PALACE PIER

Hard to look past this exceptional talent who won the Lockinge Stakes last time out at Newbury last month. Only defeat came on soft ground against a class soft ground specialist in the form of The Revenant. Otherwise has lowered the colours of class opposition in every run since winning the St James’s Palace Stakes last year.

FORECAST:

• 1st PALACE PIER
• 2nd TOP RANK

With this pick being a really popular pick for many, a forecast with Top Rank in 2nd could be a good option. with six wins to his name and only finishing once out of the places, this horse has two wins and a 3rd place effort in four class one contests. Travelling ability has stood the test before and was last seen 3rd behind Palace Pier and Lady Bowthorpe in the Lockinge, the latter of which doesn’t run here. He is arguably the 2nd most consistent horse in the field.

15:40 King’s Stand Stakes (Group 1)

WINTER POWER

It is easy to see why Battaash would be favourite. He has been a top class sprinter for four years now and the support he has is justified. However, he can get caught out, as he did in this race two years ago where Blue Point got first break. His galloping ability saw him lower the colours of Battaash. Winter Power likes running on the front end and put on a great display at York last month, winning a listed sprint by 3 lengths. This was ahead of consistent winner up to class 2, Atalis Bay, with everything else left far behind. It looked like a great prep run for this race even if it didn’t have much quality in depth. With this filly in her best form and the advantage of a weight allowance, which means she carries 10lb less than Battaash, leaves her with every chance. Oxted hasn’t shown the same form that saw him win the July Cup last year and although she might be near the places, Liberty Beach hasn’t won in a field as competitive as this. King’s Lynn places consistently in good quality contests but may need more here. Extravagant Kid isn’t out of the picture though, with Dettori on board he might pose a big threat. He has finished in the top two consistently in American races recently, and beat Final Song in Meydan in March. Winter Power however looks to be in top shape and could be hard to reel in from the front.

16:20 St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1)

MOSTAHDAF

Won the Heron Stakes at Sandown last month finishing ^1/2 a length ahead of Highland Avenue, a length ahead of Bullace and further back in 5th was familiar Newbury winner Mithras. This race was deep in quality and the winning distance doesn’t tell us of the great cruising ability this horse showed on difficult ground. He also showed a great burst of pace to eat up the rising ground and pass the strong traveller, Highland Avenue, rapidly in the final furlong. He will face stiff opposition from 2000 Guineas winner Poetic Flare, but the trip of seven furlongs probably suits the burst of speed this horse has at the end of a race. Also closely related to Royal Ascot winner Nazeef, and there are similarities in the way this horse quickens late on.

17:00 Ascot Stakes (Handicap)

ELYSIAN FLAME

Last seen finishing 5th in the Chester Plate last month. He was carrying top weight (1 stone 4lb) more than the eventual winner, Green Book. This isn’t particularly impressive form but the ground was listed as good to soft which went against this horse and he couldn’t have had a worse position throughout the race. Before that, won a handicap at Newbury where he showed true quality. The race was ran truly throughout, and there was an early break by some front runners before the final bend. Although the pace ultimately collapsed up front when this happened, the horses behind tried enough for it to stretch their stamina. This horse then battled for the last few furlongs against an athletic looking horse in Alminghwar, who has a couple victories under his belt in races that were a lower class. Rochester House, who also goes here, was 6 lengths behind in 3rd on that occasion. Here, Alysian Flame carries a fair weight and providing there is no rain the ground will suit. This horse has a lot of qualities that will prove useful if he is in the picture late and the race is sure to be a good test of stamina which this horse needs.