The Queen Anne starts us off over a mile and Toronado looks like going off favourite for this race. However I really like the chances of the Aidan O'Brien trained Verrazano who will certainly have come on from his seasonal debut where many paddock judges commented on his huge physique. Verrazano ran with credit that day to finish third behind Olympic Glory on his European debut and the fast surface he will encounter at Ascot will definitely suit him down to a tee. Toronado is a worthy favourite and the Hannon team could barely be in better form but this is his seasonal debut and it could be Verrazano can make his race fitness count. Soft Falling Rain hasn't had great preparation for this clash judging by trainer comments so I'm certainly keen to take him on and at 3/1 Verrazano is the play for me.
The Coventry follows on from the Queen Anne and is one of the top juvenile races of the European racing season. We see some really exciting horses lining up here and this isn't a race I'll be betting in, however I do hope that John Quinn can get his partnership with Al Shaqab racing off to a flying start with his impressive Ayr scorer The Wow Signal. He faces the highly regarded War Envoy from the all powerful O'Brien team who do so well with horses from that sire, and you can never ignore a Hannon/Hughes juvenile in these races - they have the unbeaten Kool Kompany in this race. Definitely one to watch back a few times on the video replay after the event!
We're back into Group 1 action again after the youngsters with the 5 furlong King Stand Stakes up for the speedsters. Shea Shea, Sole Power and Hot Streak will dominate the market, however I would rather see Ryan Moore on Sole Power as he gets on so well with the horse. In fact I'm surprised that Sole Power is even running after the owners of the horse said that Ryan Moore riding was one of the keys to where Sole Power would line up and I'll take him on even though Hughes is certainly no bad replacement! Hot Streak is a horse of real potential and I don't think the quicker surface he will encounter here will go against him, in fact it might help us get a better price as punters are put off when they see the best of his form has come on a softer surface. Of the market principles he is definitely the one I like the most. At a bigger price I think Medicean Man could run well after being freshened up with a nice break after his Meydan adventures. He has C&D form, will like the quicker surface and is attractively prices at 20/1.
The final Group 1 of the day, and for my money the best one, is the St James's Palace stakes, also over a mile, for the three year olds. Kingman, winner of the Irish Guineas, meets the horse that beat him in the English version in Night of Thunder and is an 11/10 shot to gain revenge. However with the ground looking like coming up quick for this race I'm keen to find something to oppose Kingman with and Outstrip is that horse for me. You can get around 20/1 for a horse who will love the quicker surface of Ascot as well as the turning mile as this is similar to what he would have been racing on over in America. He was heavily eased when beaten in the Guineas but Buick now takes the ride and he has struck up a good relationship with Charlie Appleby this season. I expect the Ascot course to suit him more than the straight mile at Newmarket and I can't resist a bite of the big prices on offer. I've also read a few trainer quotes recently from Appleby who has said that his horse came back from the Guineas with a cough so they have given him a bit of time off and got him spot on for this assignment. It could be that Outstrip wasn't 100% for the first classic of the season and certainly the trainer is hopeful that his charge will perform with much more credit this time up and is not to be ruled out of contention by punters - we have been told!
That's it as far as the preview for a really exciting opening day at the Royal meeting is concerned, I for one can't wait for it!
Thanks for reading!
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