Welcome to day one of Royal Ascot!
It's a beautiful day here in London, exactly the kind of weather we should have for Royal Ascot, and the going is good to firm. There was 1mm of rain last night and 4mm of water was added artificially. The only non-runner so far is Walkingonthemoon in the Coventry Stakes.
Ron Cox's Day One preview
Royal Ascot opens today with one of the most intriguing races of the week. The decision to let Dubian claimer Ahmed Ajtebi keep the ride on Gladiatorus in the Queen Anne Stakes may well see the Godolphin horse take a walk in the market. In the race itself this will be a severe test for the inexperienced Ajtebi to get the fractions right up the straight mile if, as expected, he sets out to make the running on Gladiatorus.
Much of the work done by the Godolphin horses at Newmarket is on their private Chippenham gallops, so local work-watchers are unable to see all that is going on. But the word is that Gladiatorus may not be in quite the same form as he was on World Cup night in Dubai. Interestingly, there has been support this morning for Frankie Dettori's mount, Alexandros - though that may be partly because he's been tipped by the influential Pricewise column in the Racing Post.
But I have lots of faith in Main Aim (2.30), who has looked a vastly improved performer this season. Connections are convinced this colt will get every yard of the mile, and Sir Michael Stoute would not waste cash on the supplementary fee if he didn't think Main Aim was verging on Group One standard.
A high draw could prove troublesome for Scenic Blast (3.05) in the King's Stand Stakes, although fellow Aussie sprinters Miss Andretti (drawn 19) and Takeover Target (17) both overcame similar stalls positions to win this. Scenic Blast has won established Grade One sprints at home and may simply prove different class to the best of British, Amour Propre and Fleeting Spirit.
Mastercraftsman (3.45) is a very short price for the St James's Palace Stakes, but should win. The betting angle may be to back him in a straight forecast with Evasive. Canford Cliffs (4.20) is also a skinny price for the Coventry Stakes, but unless the greatly experienced Richard Hannon has got it totally wrong, this Newbury winner has the potential to bolt up in this.
Paddy Power's Royal Ascot tipping competition
Phew, just the 58 entrants so far this week, which, of course, means each one of you is 57-1 to win. At least, that was true before Toulouse Express (14-1) came good at Sedgefield, but the four of you who picked him must fancy your chances now. Moscow08 – what a run you're having! Four others had the other two winners, including new entrant Thomo (is it him?), while another 13 of you had at least one winner yesterday.
Still, a 14-1 winner will take anyone to the lead at this early stage, so don't panic, all you backmarkers – there's plenty of time. The winner is sure to have had at least one fruitless day and it might as well be day one.
This'll sort you out. We'd like your tips, please for these races, all at Royal Ascot: the 2.30, the 3.05 and the 3.45. That's the Queen Anne, the King's Stand and the St James's Palace. On one day per year, our competition can consist solely of Group One races. Kudos to anyone who can go through our card.
The prize this week is a £100 free bet with those lovely people at Paddy Power, who also backed our Cheltenham Festival competition. How generous are they? (rhetorical)
As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day. Regarding any dispute, our decision is final.
New entrants are welcome to join in today, but you will start on -3. Good luck!
Standings after day one
Mai11 +12
barnstormmer +12
JDK1 +12
Moscow08 +12
Thomo +4.25
hkr105 +4.25
FinsburyPark +4.25
23skidoo +4.25
mike65ie +1
shears39 +1
DrKelso +1
redlobster91 +1
paddyconsidine +1
Davs77 +1
MillieJ +1
Blitzwing +0.25
stee33 +0.25
WalthamstowLad +0.25
cheekyfiver +0.25
suckzinclee +0.25
racebets +0.25
JD72 -3
gashead1105 -3
sangfroid -3
lehorla6 -3
Hotspur61 -3
goofs -3
johnny909 -3
socialwanderer -3
tiznow -3
LorrainePa -3
MrPositive -3
xwireman -3
Rivercity -3
millreef -3
paulusthewoodgnome -3
TheVic -3
DBHoops19 -3
15244 -3
slackdad38 -3
Carloskickaballs -3
Scarlioni -3
diegoisgod -3
Renzofan -3
JONML -3
Harrytheactor -3
Urfe -3
melonk -3
Doctoroncall -3
johne5knuckle -3
fleety3001 -3
keepitdusty -3
robmct -3
Steve714 -3
leviticus67 -3
GeorgeBailey -3
bazza67 -3
nerium -3
TheVic's tips (as requested on yesterday's Talking Horses)
Gladiatorus
Hoh Hoh Hoh
Mastercraftsman
10.20am Tony Paley's thoughts - Queen Anne Stakes
Lay Gladiatorus
Betfair. Love it or loathe it you can't ignore it. Nine years ago, this race would have been a no-no on the punting front, as there is no horse that makes appeal as a bet to win, but if you want to play bookmaker on the exchanges then the lay of the day at Royal Ascot is Gladiatorus.
The vibes are bad about this one, as our chief tipster Ron Cox has pointed out, and there is apparently little confidence in the yard. The horse has switched to Godolphin, which can't be considered a plus these days, and the straight mile is not certain to be in the horse's favour.
Sheikh Mohammed has stayed loyal to rider Ahmed Ajtebi but he is going to have to give Gladiatorus the ride of his life to judge it right from the front. All in all, he is one to oppose.
11.30am Uncanny foresight from Haggas
Chris Cook: I was talking to William Haggas on Sunday about the chances of his Roaring Forte, second-favourite for tomorrow's Royal Hunt Cup. " He's got a chance but we need the draw," he said. "He's a front-runner, we want him to be up with the pace, so I'd rather he was drawn on one side or the other, preferably low, on the stands' side.
"There's nothing we can do about it – if we're drawn 20, we'll just have to pick our spot, because you can't try to come across the whole width of the track, as Bankable proved last year."
Incredibly, Roaring Forte has indeed been drawn in stall 20. I should have asked him to give me the tricast.
Haggas has a few runners with chances this week but he was most positive about Damaniyat Girl in the Sandringham Handicap tomorrow. "I think it was trainer error that did her in last time," he said. "It was seven furlongs and I knew she wanted a mile, so I told Richard [Hills] to bounce her out and get her in front – and he burst her really. So this time she will be dropped in and I think she'll run a good race. She's high enough [in the weights] but, funnily enough, there's no outstandingly well handicapped filly in the race."
Haggas reckons that Nosedive, his runner in the Norfolk Stakes on Thursday, "won't be good enough, but won't be last either".
12.10pm Turn on to Spin Cycle
Greg Wood: Good morning from Ascot, where the ladies and gentleman in the Royal enclosure are stubbornly refusing to break into a rendition of the song from My Fair Lady. A few more jugs of Pimm's, though, and you never know.
Having just been out onto the track, it seems that the 1mm of rain that arrived overnight barely touched the surface, which is officially good-to-firm but has a covering of grass that Stacey Shipman would not hesitate to describe as "lush". Fast-ground performers will be in their element today.
Sadly, that fact does not allow us to dismiss many of today's runners out of hand, and even after half a lifetime as a punter, the sheer competitiveness of an Ascot card can still come as a bit of a shock. Every race seems to have at least three very plausible winners, half a dozen more that do not have much to find, and a couple that you can picture going well at a big price.
We will all be used to it by Saturday, but instinct suggests it is best to tread carefully on the opening day, particularly with two of the six favourites likely to start at potentially ruinous prices. Alexandros is probably too big in the opener, though Pricewise has already noted that in the Post this morning, Scenic Blast could well be a good thing in the King's Stand, and No Hubris has a big chance against the favourite in the Coventry, but nothing really appeals as maximum bet material.
Instead, it might pay to try a more leftfield approach, looking for horses that will probably find at least one too good, but may sneak into the frame at a healthy price instead. Whether to back them each-way, or place only on Betfair, is a moot point, as Betfair does not allow you to join them up in multiples. Personally I'll keep stakes small and try an each-way patent.
The three I like for this bet were all available at between 22-1 and 40-1 this morning, so we are in the realms of serious optimism, but none the less they all have a realistic chance of a place.
The first one is Arabian Gleam (2.30), who was an interesting outsider for the Queen Anne 12 months ago too, and was just starting to hit his stride when he met some serious trouble in running.
His form tailed off a bit after that prior to an excellent win at Doncaster, but he is still lightly-raced for a five-year-old and was finishing well behind Main Aim over seven furlongs last time out. He doe not need to find more a pound or two on his best form to keep horses like Aqlaam out of the frame, while Main Aim and Paco Boy and no more likely to stay.
Next up is Spin Cycle (3.05) in the King's Stand Stakes. Three-year-olds have a fair record in this race - three winners in the last 10 years - and Brian Meehan's colt has showed a liking for Ascot when touched off in the Norfolk Stakes here last year. His form went downhill later in the season, but he made a very taking three-year-old debut at Musselburgh in early May and is perhaps just a horse who shows his best in the first half of the season. He was a 40-1 chance with Stan James this morning, but even if that disappears, 33-1 is perfectly acceptable at 1/4 the odds a place.
Finally, I have to take on Canford Cliffs at around 2-1 in the Coventry. Six of his seven opponents in his maiden at Newbury were unraced, and while the form has been advertised by several of those behind him, only one was a winner next time up.
I do think No Hubris is a solid win bet, but for each-way purposes, Raine's Cross (4.20) is one of at least half a dozen who could improve significantly. He comes from a relatively small yard too, which helps to build the price, and ran really well in what looked a very hot renewal of the National Stakes last time, doing all his best work at the finish. The step up to six furlongs should suit him perfectly and odds of 20-1 plus look generous.
12.45pm How will Bolger celebrate
Chris Cook: The famously teetotal Jim Bolger recently revealed that, as of February, he has also given up chocolate. This is extremely abstemious behaviour for a man so steeped in a sport as raffish as horse racing and it leaves the question - how will he celebrate if Intense Focus wins today, or (more likely) Lush Lashes wins tomorrow? If you wandered into his hotel room, would you discover him in a bath of champagne, scarfing down profiteroles?
1.20pm Tony Paley's thoughts - St James's Palace Stakes
What will Jamie Spencer be thinking this afternoon as he waits for his two rides and watches previous mounts Cesare and Delegator in two of the three Group One races on today's card?
Cesare goes well fresh but her stable's form is wretched and Delegator looks the more likely to upset his ex-rider in the St James's Palace Stakes. Jimmy Fortune is in the saddle today and if his mount reproduces his 2,000 Guineas run when runner up to Sea The Stars with Mastercraftsman (fifth) and Evasive (sixth) in arrears he will go close. The ground will certainly be more to his liking than when subsequently floundering in the mud in the Irish Guineas behind runaway winner Mastercraftsman.
The winner will be tough to beat here if the word from Ballydoyle that he is improving fast is correct. However, the one with the most scope is Evasive (3.45) and perhaps too much use was made of him in the Guineas when he also suffered a troubled run in the closing stages. He makes more appeal at the odds than the O'Brien runner.
2.25pm Greg Wood paddock report
2.30 Queen Anne Stakes: The Queen's late arrival meant the horses for the first race were only in paddock for three minutes. Maybe the monarch should be fined as Aidan O'Brien was when he was responsible for his horses arriving late in the paddock for the Derby. Intriguingly, Gladiatorus was given permission to go out first and lead the parade. No negatives to report. It's a hot day but no horse was noticeably sweating up.
2.45pm Oh boy - Paco romps home in Queen Anne
Tony Paley: Paco Boy stays a mile - and how. Jockey Richard Hughes and trainer Richard Hannon start the day in fine style as Paco Boy, who was always travelling well, quickened clear to win the Queen Anne with ease at 100-30. They have Canford Cliffs to come in the Coventry Stakes and according to sources at the yard this is the best two-year-old they have had for years. Ascot specialist Cesare (11-1) runs a good race in second and Aqlaam (10-1) returns to his best form in third.
The Godolphin pair were shambolic. Ahmed Ajtebi looks like he went off far too fast for his own good on Gladiatorus but Alexandros's performance under Frankie Dettori was even worse, weakening and finding nothing when asked to make his move at the two-furlong pole. Clare Balding asked Sheikh Mohammed about Godolphin in the run-up to the opener on the BBC coverage and he replied that "he was very happy with it." But that was a poor start to the week and it's difficult to see where any winner is going to come from at the meeting for the stable. Trainer Saeed Bin Suroor was offering no excuse for Gladiatorus's performance after the race.
3.00pm Greg Wood paddock report
3.05 King's Stand Stakes: Scenic Blast is a huge horse. He looks the business and made for the job. Amour Propre also fits into that category, very much a sprinting type. The American challenger Cannonball is a little on the lean side and if there is one slight negative it is Tax Free who is getting a little warm in the build-up to the race.
3.06pm Scenic blasts home in King's Stand
Tony Paley: Scenic Blast is another impressive winner, accelerating in brilliant style having travelled so well during the race. The winner was the best backed horse of the day and punters had little to worry about once his jockey asked the 11-4 favourite to quicken up.
Connections immediately annouce that he will not return to run in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Ascot on Saturday but will wait for the July Cup at Newmarket next month. Difficult to see what will beat him on this evidence though Fleeting Spirit (7-2) has put up a bold show in second, staying on well while never quite looking like getting on terms with the winner. Anglezarke (33-1) runs well above her best in third, in the process franking the form of her Haydock conqueror Ialysos who will line up in the Golden Jubilee.
3.40pm Greg Wood paddock report
3.45 St James's Palace Stakes: All are looking fit and well for this particular heat, Soul City and Evasive in particular.
3.47pm O'Brien the Master in St James's Palace
Mastercraftsman (5-6) got the better of Delegator (4-1) by a neck in a pulsating race for the St James's Palace Stakes. The favourite was always handy under Johnny Murtagh and hit the front early in the straight. Delegator fought bravely and took a narrow advantage at one stage but the winner got back in front close home, with Lord Shanakill (20-1) battling bravely back in third.
Winning trainer O'Brien said: "It was unbelievable, a great performance. He's an amazing horse with speed, stamina, and all ground comes alike to him. It was a great performance from the horse and a marvellous performance from Johnny. If he steps up to a mile and a quarter I don't think he'll have a problem with that."
4.10pm Greg Wood's paddock notes on the Coventry
Treadwell is the paddock pick - Jamie Osborne's entry may be a big outsider but he looks really well. Red Jazz also impresses on looks. Canford Cliffs is well but not the standout that you'd expect from the buzz there's been about him. Xtension is on his toes.
4.25pm Canford canters home in the Coventry
Tony Paley: The information about Canford Cliffs was right and Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes complete a double with the 7-4 favourite who was prominent early and never looked in any danger once he was asked to go about his business.
The winner is 8-1 favourite with the bookmakers for next year's 2,000 Guineas and while it's very early days to be talking about Classics this is a most exciting prospect. Xtension (20-1) was second and Rakaan (28-1) third but this was a case of Canford first, the rest nowhere.
Intriguingly, Hannon is talking of looking after the colt with next year in mind. He said: Hannon said: "I love this horse. He was a very good looking horse at the sales and had a lot of character. He is the sort of horse you would look at and think 'if I could afford him I'd have him'.
"He's such a laid-back character. Richard rode him work one morning and said he was a great horse. He's very relaxed at home and walks down to the canters like an old horse. It would be hard to find a two-year-old I've had as good as him. It was a long time ago to Rock City. We might look at something like the July Stakes and we can't forget the Doncaster Sales race, but we'll have to think about it. This horse wants looking after, he could be next year's horse."
6.15pm Americans strike with the Tiger
Strike The Tiger hit the mark for California-based handler Wesley Ward to give the Americans their first ever Royal Ascot winner in the Windsor Castle Stakes.
Always handy under John Velazquez, the juvenile began to stretch away inside the final two furlongs and although Fratellino tried hard to reel him in, 33-1 shot Strike The Tiger was a neck ahead at the line.
Ward said: "I think this just proves if you get a horse right on the day it doesn't matter if they are running in Australia or China or anywhere, as the Australian horse (Scenic Blast) proved earlier today.
"I would have preferred to have won a Group One race but this is a great day for us and hopefully my better two-year-olds can be competitive later in the week. He's unbeaten this horse, and he will go back to America now. I think he can do something really special on turf."
Breeders' Cup-winning rider Velazquez said: "I walked the course this morning and I thought it was a little quicker out to the left (stands) side. So I moved him from right to left and he kept finding a little more."
Judgethemoment outstayed his rivals to land the Ascot Stakes and give Richard Hughes an 88-1 treble. The 13-2 chance, trained by Jane Chapple-Hyam, came with a smooth run on the far side and led a furlong out before getting the better of Irish raider Sesenta by half a length.
Click here for all the day's racecards, form, stats and results.
Click here for today's latest odds.
And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
