Prize fighter Eldarov to give his rivals a royal beating in the Queen’s Vase June 14, 2022 Prize fighter Eldarov to give his rivals a royal beating in the Queen’s Vase STRADIVARIUS won the 2017 renewal of the Queen’s Vase (3.05pm) before going on to become one of the greatest stayers of all time. It is highly unlikely there is a horse of his calibre in today’s field, but it looks [...]
Unbeaten Branwell might become Queen Maria in opener June 14, 2022 WESLEY Ward has won the Queen Mary Stakes (2.30pm) three times in the last seven years, so the obvious starting point when analysing today’s opener is his Love Reigns. A daughter of U S Navy Flag, she won on debut at Keeneland over five and a half furlongs in April by almost 10 lengths. You [...]
Don’t leave King out of your Hunt Cup Quinellas June 14, 2022 THERE aren’t many more challenging puzzles to solve than today’s Royal Hunt Cup (5.00pm). 30 runners hurtling down Ascot’s straight mile, almost all of whom could easily be well ahead of their handicap marks, means that finding the winner is very difficult, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to give it a good go. ASTRO [...]
It’s in my Nature to take on jollies with Arecibo June 13, 2022 THERE’S certainly a very international feel to this year’s Royal Ascot and no more so than in the King’s Stand Stakes (3.40pm). Both Nature Strip and Golden Pal have proven their class in their native homelands of Australia and America, but now must prove they can strut their stuff on these shores. Nature Strip is [...]
Coroebus looks set to leave St James’ Palace rivals in his Shadow in Berkshire June 13, 2022 THIS year’s St James’s Palace Stakes (4.20pm) doesn’t look the strongest on paper, but if there is one star in the line-up it’s certainly COROEBUS. Charlie Appleby’s colt has done little wrong in his career so far and you had to be impressed by the way he won the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket last time. Runner-up [...]
Reshoun can put up bold Ascot Stakes defence despite draw June 13, 2022 THERE is somewhat of a Cheltenham Festival feel to the Ascot Stakes (5.00pm) with Gordon Elliott’s Pied Piper and Willie Mullins’ Bring On The Night currently battling it out for favouritism. Funnily enough, Nicky Henderson was supposed to saddle another of the leading fancies in Ahorsewithnoname but she sadly wasn’t declared. Both current market leaders [...]
Busker and Agent can chase home superstar Baaeed June 13, 2022 THEY SAY that you should save the best until last, but this year’s Royal Ascot meeting kicks-off with BAAEED, widely recognised as the best horse in the world. William Haggas’ four-year-old is unbeaten in all seven career starts to date and takes on a field of six in the opening Queen Anne Stakes (2.30pm). The son [...]
Crown set to give Stoute a Derby Guard of honour June 3, 2022 IT HAS been 12 years since Sir Michael Stoute won Saturday’s Cazoo Derby (4.30pm) at Epsom, but in DESERT CROWN he looks to have a horse more than capable of giving him a sixth victory in the world’s most famous horse race. Since bolting up in a Nottingham maiden in November last year, there has been plenty [...]
Sprint King to Star if rain stays away June 3, 2022 MICK Appleby isn’t the only trainer who’s had a 12-month plan to win the ‘Dash’ (3:45pm), but this really has been KING OF STARS’ main target for some time. I’ve been lucky enough to own him since 2020 and have enjoyed some great days out, including five wins so far, but I haven’t been much happier [...]
Mr Big can Stuff his rivals in Epsom opener June 3, 2022 DERBY Day gets underway with the fiercely competitive looking three-year-old Cazoo handicap (2.00pm) with at least half a dozen contenders looking extremely well-treated. Top of my shortlist has to be the Richard Spencer-trained MR BIG STUFF, who looked a shade unlucky in last month’s London Gold Cup at Newbury. The son of Iffraaj has been raised [...]
