I am on a fairly desperate run with my tips at the moment but hopefully Royal Ascot will bring a change of fortune.
The meeting gets under way with the Queen Anne Stakes at 2.30. Main Aim earned his place in the line up by winning a competitive handicap at Newbury in impressive style and followed up by taking Haydock’s John of Gaunt Stakes, a Group 3. He is upped in trip to a mile here but that should be within his scope. The talented but fragile Aqlaam won both his starts last season but disappointed in the Lockinge. It is possible that the fast ground will suit him better here but he does have something to prove. Dream Eater finished one place in front of Aqlaam in the Lockinge but the ground was probably against him and he is likely to put up a better show this time. Paco Boy has done most of his winning at 7 furlongs but beat Dream Eater when winning at Sandown in April and is now better off at the weights. Only 4th in the Lockinge there remains the suspicion that he may be better over 7 furlongs than a mile. The one I fancy for this is Cesare who has won 4 times over course and distance and goes well fresh.
In the King’s Stand at 3.05 Amour Propre, Fleeting Spirit and Borderlescott represent a strong home team but the prize may go once again to Australia in the shape of Scenic Blast.
The 2,000 Guineas could hold the key to the St James’s Palace Stakes at 3.45. Delegator, Mastercraftsman and Evasive were 2nd, 5th and 6th respectively at Newmarket and all 3 line up again here. Since then of course Mastercraftsman has romped home in the Irish Guineas with Delegator trailing in a disappointing 8th of 9. Evasive had had an interrupted preparation coming into the race at Newmarket and may just have the scope to improve past the other two. He gets the selection.
Aiden O’Brien is represented by Air Chief Marshall in the Coventry Stakes at 4.20. A son of Danehill Dancer Air Chief Marshall won at Gowran Park on his second start before being beaten into 3rd at The Curragh over 5 furlongs. Both those races were on heavy ground so the form is a bit difficult to evaluate. I am inclined to look elsewhere for the winner and two that seem to have the right credentials are Canford Cliffs and No Hubris. Both have one race one win records in races that have worked out well. They would be my two against the field.
They also race at Thirsk where Danehillsundance is well handicapped in the 3.25. He last won off a mark of 89 and has now dropped to a rating of just 73. Jamie Kyne takes off a further 5 lbs and although the horse has given his supporters little reason for encouragement for quite a while the handicapper might just be starting to take liberties with his rating.
One with a more obvious chance is Atlantic Beach in the 5.10. He has been running consistently and was only narrowly beaten by Tangerine Trees at Hamilton last time. He wears a first time visor tomorrow and looks worth considering.
Today’s picture is by courtesy of the artist Jo Stockdale, see links.
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