A look at the three Group One races on the opening day of the Royal Meeting.
The meeting kicks off with the Queen Anne Stakes where the favourite looks as though it will be the French raider Sageburg, who was supplemented for the race last week.
This Alain de Royer Dupre grey colt started last season well only to disappoint at the tail end of the season. This season he seems to have found his best form again coming third to the highly regarded Duke Of Marmalade in the Prix Ganyer at Longchamp before beating stablemate Darjina at the same course in his next run. He however have temperament issues and it is not sure how well he travels. It could also be argued he will need to show considerable improvement in form to take this race.
Indeed it would come as no surprise if Darjina were to reverse the placings in this event, however a big negative is the filly has performed badly on her two previous runs at the Berkshire course.
Best of the home challengers, according to the market, and vying for favouritism is Peter Chapple-Hyam’s Tariq, winner of last year’s Jersey stakes at the Royal Meeting. He was third to Creachadoir in the Lockinge, losing nothing in defeat, on his seasonal debut.
Ballydoyle’s Haradasun looks a promising sort and will improve on his sixth in the Lockinge and is clearly the best of the three O’Brien raiders.
For me though the pick is Sir Michael Stout’s Linngari. This horse has had a number of trainers in his career and is now back with Sir Michael who had him as two and three year old. This is his first run since returning and I have a feeling the old Master will have bought him back to his best.
The King’s Stand is the second Group One of the day.
An interesting race with an international feel including raiders from Australia (Takeover Target), South Africa (National Colour) and Spain (Equiano).
Takeover Target again makes the King’s Stand his Ascot target, after almost causing an upset when winning the 2006 renewal and only failing to regain his title by 2½ lengths last season. He cannot be dismissed with any confidence.
The South African raider went to Nad Al Sheba in 2007 with a strong reputation. She won his first outing there however was a disappointing 16th of 16 in the Golden Shaheen, although it was later found the mare had chipped both her knees and this will be her first run since. Backing her after such a long absence is a leap of faith, however if she is at her best the 20/1 on offer with some layers looks to be very generous.
The Spanish raider, frankly, looks to be outclassed.
However it doesn’t matter how strong the overseas challenge is, the outstanding runner in the field has to be Fleeting Spirit. The Jeremy Noseda trained filly, not content with winning last year’s Molcome and Flying Childers before losing nothing in defeat to Natagora in the Cheveley Park, seemed better than ever when winning the Temple Stakes on her re-appearance. She must be the one to beat.
The final Group One on the opening day is the St James’s Palace stakes and to be brutally frank doesn’t look to be much of a contest with the race looking to be a gift to Ballydoyle in the shape of the dual Guineas winner Henrythenavigator.
Even without New Approach, second to Henrythenavigator in both Guineas, franking the form by winning The Derby, this runner would have gone off a short price favourite. Now available at around 1/2 it is probably most peoples idea of the banker of the week.
Can anything really threaten the favourite, probably not. However should the favourite have a bad day at the office the three potential ones to take advantage would be Falco, Raven’s Pass and Twice Over. With the first two having the greater potential to show an improvement. On known form there is little between the pair, however with Raven’s Pass available at around 10/1 and Falco at 5/1 the former looks a better each way prospect.
Of the other races the Coventry with 18 2 year-olds charging down the six furlong course looks to be the usual nightmare to call. Art Connoisseur would be only a tentative choice. Whilst a win for Instalment, owned by The Queen, would undoubtedly be a very popular winner with the crowds.
The marathon 2½ mile Ascot Stakes with 20 runners looks to be equally trappy.
Bukit Tinggi looks an interesting prospect and should cope with the step up to 2½ miles, having won over two.
To add to the punters misery day one ends with the Windsor Castle, 26 2 year-olds over the flying five and if you expect a tip in that one you must be joking – borrow your Gran’s lucky hat pin.