In fact, why not print it off and take it along with you to Royal Ascot today!
Queen Anne Stakes Tips
King's Stand Stakes Tips
St James's Palace Stakes Tips
Coventry Stakes Tips
Ascot Stakes Tips
Windsor Castle Stakes Tips
2.30 Queen Anne Stakes (Class 1) (Group 1) 1 Mile Straight.
This promises to be the race of the century. Goldikova the wonder mare who has won 13 Group 1’s, takes on Canford Cliffs which starts the Royal Meeting with a bang. Goldikova who won this last year hacked up at the Prix d’Ispahan late May. Canford Cliffs was ridden to victory in the Lockinge Stakes (now won 4 Gp 1’s) at Newbury in May which marks him for further improvement. Canford Cliff’s jockey Richard Hughes is confident he has the horse who will beat Goldikova. However, Richard Hannon said that soft ground would be a deterrent to the chances of Canford Cliffs. The son of Galileo, Capo Blanco will take on Canford Cliffs and Goldikova, having landed the Irish Derby and the Irish Champion Stakes last season. Cityscape 16/1 may show being a soft ground horse.
Main bet CANFORD CLIFFS 5/4 to win.
3.05 King's Stand Stakes [British Leg of The Global Sprint Challenge] (Class 1) (Group 1). 5f.
The Australians have a good strike rate here: Choisir 2003, Takeover Target 2006, Miss Andretti 2007, and Scenic Blast 2009. The King’s Stand is the more international of the two Royal Ascot Sprints, with American and Far Eastern competitors lining up for the 5f contest.
Australia’s Star Witness best sprinting colt heads the market despite a poor Newmarket run on March 12th when finished 7th to Black Caviar after having been disturbed by a Jeremy Clarkson Top Gear rally nearby. However, Star Witness has had the perfect preparation and as trainer Danny O’Brien says, “If he turns up in the form he was in for Melbourne Cup week, he is going to be hard to beat.” Hungrian sprinter Overdose could show on softer ground.
Main bet: STAR WITNESS 4/1 to win.
3.45 St James's Palace Stakes (Class 1) (Group 1) (Entire Colts) 1 Mile Round.
Richard Hannon expects Dubawi Gold 14/1 who came from the back of the field to take second at Newmarket and was an unlucky runner-up in the Irish 2000 gns will prove a big threat to Frankel. Frankel, who has never lost a race, is the most likely winner, having devastated the field in the 2000 gns by so many lengths it’s not worth counting! However, at 1/3 on a £10 bet would only return you £3 so it’s best to predict an each way to land in the frame, which could include Excelebration 8/1 which chased Frankel home in the Greenham.
Main bet: FRANKEL 1/3 on to win OR Excelebration 8/1 and/or Dubawi Gold 14/1 e/w.
4.25 Coventry Stakes (Class 1) (Group 2). 6f.
The Aidan O’Brein trained Power extended his unbeaten record to two in the 5f listed Marble Hill Stakes at the Currugh in May. However, if you’re in the mood to back a horse at a double-figure price then Wesley Ward’s (USA) horse Italo 16/1 which made all at Longchamp last month, could be worth a punt, provided he makes the pace.
Main bet: POWER 5/1 each way and/or Italo 16/1 each way.
5.00 Ascot Stakes (Handicap) (Class 2) 2mls 4f. 4 year olds+.
This 20 runner field is an absolute minefield to choose from and any one will do but if you must – well then choose Zigato from the John Gosden stable who shows promise of improvement and possesses a fantastic turn of foot as demonstrated recently at Ascot when winning from way back in the field.
Main bet ZIGATO 9/2 each way.
5.35 Windsor Castle Stakes (Class 1) (Listed Race) 5f.
2008 saw a 100/1 winner romp in which shows what a pin picker this race is! 2009 year saw 33/1 winner Strike The Tiger romp past the post. So leave this 27 runner field alone I say, but if you must then Frederick Engels, is the only sensible bet on the card having performed well at Haydock and Musselburgh recently.
Main bet: FREDERICK ENGELS 4/1 CRAZY each way: Owley 100/1 e/w.
Brian Smith