Races

Royal Ascot Day 1 Preview

Posted on | Posted by David Shortte

One of the great weeks of Racing gets underway this evening at Royal Ascot.

A Carnival which in recent years has seen the likes of Frankel and Black Caviar strutting their stuff again promises to unearth some potential Stars of world racing.

Australia have had a big part to play in this carnival over the last fifteen years with the likes of Miss Andretti, Choisir, Starspangledbanner, Takeover Target, Scenic Blast and Black Caviar all tasting success however this year we are without any Australian representation.

Night One has thrown up some interesting events with Ribchester and Churchill the two most popular runners from a betting perspective.

TABtouch have enabled Superpick options on the six race program at Royal Ascot and you can now use your daily Superpick to improve your odds for a win, improve your odds for a place or take money back for second.

Here is a look at the races throughout the evening.

Race One (Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes 1600 metres)

Ribchester is a well-travelled dual Group 1 winner who was successful at Group 1 level in France last preparation and his career record of 11 starts for 4 wins and 6 placings underlines his ability. Has returned with a victory in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury and is expected to be very hard to beat in this.

Lightning Spear finished runner-up behind Ribchester in the Lockinge Stakes at his most recent start and beat the rest of them home quite comfortably. Ran third in this race last year and if there is to be a danger to the favourite, may well be it.

Mutakayyef is improving all the time and has only missed a place once in his 15 start career. Has each way claims.

TABtouch Market : Ribchester $1.85, Lightning Spear $6.50, Mutakayyef $7.50, Deauville $15, Others $21 and upwards.

Race Two (Group 2 Coventry Stakes 1200 metres – 2 Year Olds)

Some very talented youngsters will be on show here in race two and many of these are open to sharp improvement.

Brother Bear has looked the goods in his two career outings winning at both Leapordstown and the Curragh.

The combination of Aiden O’Brien and Ryan Moore are expected to be a dominant force throughout the course of the week and the duo combine with Murillo here. After recording a victory last time out at Tipperary there is sure to be support for the Scat Daddy 2 year old in this.

The USA galloper Arawak will have to transfer his dirt form to the grass here but did win his debut performance at Belmont in strong fashion and must be respected.

DeBruyne Horse has won his last two starts in fine style at Ripon and Epsom and heads into this race with some quality race day experience.

Rajasinghe looks a great each way chance here. The son of Choisir was a strong winner of his only career start at Newcastle and looks primed for a big performance.

TABtouch Market : Brother Bear $5.50, DeBruyne Horse $7, Arawak $7.50, Merillo $8, Denaar $9, Rajasinghe $12, Nebo $13, Romanised $14, Others $18 and upwards.

Race Three (Group 1 Kings Stand Stakes 1000 metres)

A race that has had a strong Australian dominance over the last decade but not the case this time around with no Aussies engaged.

A tricky event to dissect with plenty of speed, they will be charging up the straight here setting a serious tempo.

Marsha looks the testing material here. Last preparation won the Prix De l’Abbaye and beat plenty of her rivals here in that event. Her return run this time in at Newmarket was an impressive victory and likely to benefit for the outing. Will need a few breaks in running but if she gets them will take some stopping.

Lady Aurelia won the Queen Mary at this meeting last year. Was a first up winner at Keeneland this time in and Trainer Wesley Ward has enjoyed success at this Carnival in recent years. Commands respect.

Washington DC is a four time listed winner and carries the hopes for the strong combination of O’Brien and Moore. Finished third behind Marsha in the Group 1 Prix De l’Abbaye last preparation and was again runner-up behind her two runs back at Newmarket. Should be rock hard fit for this after three runs this time in.

Signs of Blessing won a Group 1 at Deauville last preparation and returned with a win over Profitable last start at Deauville. A well-travelled campaigner who appreciates some sting out of the ground.

TABtouch Market : Lady Aurelia $4, Marsha $4.20, Signs Of Blessing $7, Goldream $13, Priceless $14, Muthmir $15, Others $16 and upwards.

Race Four (Group 1 St James Palace Stakes 1600 metres 3 Year Olds)

The market has very much got this event down to a race in two between Churchill and Barney Roy.

Churchill is a dual Guineas winner who is chasing his fifth straight Group 1 success here and again it is the O’Brien/Moore combo that will carry the hopes of many punters. This fellow has tasted defeat just once in his 8 start career and is one of the most well-backed runners of the entire Carnival.

Barney Roy won the Greenham at Newbury two starts ago and pushed Churchill to a length last start in the 2,000 Guineas. If Churchill is to be turned over Barney appears the most likely suspect to do so.

Thunder Snow is a Godolphin 3 year old who won a Group 1 in Saint-Cloud in October but needs to improve sharply to challenge Churchill on what we have seen in previous meetings.

TABtouch Market : Churchill $1.60, Barney Roy $3.20, Thunder Snow $11, Rivet $23, Others $26 and upwards.

Race Five (Ascot Stakes Class 2 Handicap 4000 metres)

This is a 4000 metre race with 20 runners engaged – it is the sort of race where you can make a case for plenty of them.

Trainer Willie Mullins has Thomas Hobson engaged as the favourite here. In recent years we have seen Mullins in Australia having a crack at the Melbourne Cup with horses such as Wicklow Brave, Max Dynamite and Symenon. Thomas Hobson heads into this event having been mixing flat and hurdles racing but has a good winning strike rate and the Mullins/Moore combination is sure to be popular with many punters.

Beyond Conceit is another with each way claims. Has run well over both the hurdles as well as the flat and looks nicely in here carrying just half a kilo over the minimum. Has been around over 5000 metres over the hurdles so stamina certainly won’t be an issue.

Cartwright is an on-speed runner who had won five in a row prior to his last start failure. If left alone could give some serious cheek.

Who Dares Wins is another versatile type who has been racing consistently of late and is worthy of thought.

TABtouch Market : Thomas Hobson $5, Who Dares Wins $6.50, Beyond Conceit $8, Magic Circle $11, Oceane $13, Endless Acres $14, Rainbow Dreamer $14, Others $17 and upwards.

Race Six (Listed Windsor Castle Stakes 1000 metres – 2 Year Olds)

A 1000 metre race up the straight with 24 runners for 2 year olds – it’s fair to say a bit of luck here could go a long way.

Wesley Ward looks to hold a strong hand in this race with his Lohnro filly Nootka Sound and his Camacho filly Elizabeth Darcy. Both were impressive winners on debut and look to have good upside heading into this.

Declarationofpeace is another of the O’Brien/Moore runners that look a great chance on night one. This fellow was placed at Navan on debut before winning last start at Dundalk over the 1000 metres and the firm ground should be right up his alley.

The Charlie Appleby trained Roussel heads into this event with claims after a first up win at Leicester while his other runner Sound And Silence is also in the mix.

TABtouch Market : Declarationofpeace $4.40, Nootka Sound $6, Elizabeth Darcy $7, Roussel $13, Another Batt $15, Dragons Tail $15, Other $16 and upwards.

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