Back again then after another year off, so lets see if we can reproduce that magical first day of 2017 where we had 5 winners and a close second. Two opinions to chose from this year though as the lady of the house is chipping in with her opinions too.
The opening Queen Anne Stakes doesn’t look to me to be a vintage renewal but there are still some classy types in there. The first one that took my eye was Barney Roy as he was part of the famous five of two years ago. Sentiment never makes for good betting though so I will be giving him a miss as failures at stud rarely come back as good as they were. Le Brevido hasn’t won for two years and at the likely odds is easy to oppose and was beaten by the selection in this years Lockinge. That is obviously the race to focus on form wise as many of these ran there. Some will suggest that MUSTASHRY had the run of the race and all the luck but he still comes out as a superior horse in my opinion and I expect him to reconfirm his superiority over those that re-oppose as well as the rest of the field. That opinion though is not shared by my partner who is making her tipping debut and she believes that LAURENS who was second in that Lockinge is capable of turning things around. She rarely runs a bad race and has a live chance in an open event.
The Coventry Stakes has the usual large field of horses that have only run once or twice and is as difficult to solve as ever. Aiden O’Brien runs four and the lady of the house slightly prefers ARIZONA to stablemate King of Athens. I always like to focus on unbeaten horses in this type of race and as usual there are a few to choose from here. Threat looks to be an interesting contender but GUILDSMAN won in impressive style at Goodwood in his only run to date and posted an excellent time. He is a reasonably confident selection.
Sprinters to the fore in the King Stand Stakes and last years first three all re-oppose. With no standout contender from America this year they could well fight out the finish amongst themselves again. Last years winner Blue Point has done nothing wrong in three wins this season but I fancy BATTAASH to turn the tables as he returned with a fine performance in the Temple Stakes and looks a stronger horse at 5. A slightly longer priced alternative is suggested by my partner in crime and she likes the chances of EQUILATERAL. He has a lot to find on form but is going in the right direction and gave Mabs Cross a scare in the Palace House.
The St James Palace Stakes is next up and like the Queen Anne earlier does not look to be the classiest of renewals. PHOENIX OF SPAIN won the Irish 2000 Guineas well and that is clearly the best 3yo form on offer. I can’t see any of the horses beaten there turning the tables but the other half of the team disagrees and believes last years champion 2yo TOO DARN HOT will prevail this time.
The days handicap is the marathon Ascot Stakes and as ever the field is full of horses from jumping yards as well as flat ones. Willie Mullins normally does well in these types of races but this year puts all his eggs in one basket running only Buildmeupbuttercup. That is surely a tip in itself but the likely odds are not enticing. I prefer a bit of a punt on the veteran FUN MAC who always runs well and came 2nd in this four years ago off a 7lb higher mark. He also gets weight from most of the field and stays well. ARCTIC FIRE is even more of a veteran at 10yo but is a classy hurdler and is the selection of my fellow pundit.
The Wolferton Stakes wraps things up on day one and I believe it could give Hamdam Al Maktoum his third winner of the day in the shape of ELARQAM. Well drawn and clearly best at 10 furlongs he has the look of a typical Maktoum horse that improves with age. Stable companion Addeybb looks interesting too and I fancy him to follow the selection home. The debutante tipster however doesn’t share my opinion and believes that DOLPHIN VISTA has the class to run a big race despite carrying a penalty and could provide a good reward at generous odds.
That’s the day one selections then. As ever we go in more in hope than judgement and please don’t think we have any great insider information. Bet responsibly and have fun … where is the Pimms tent !
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