Whether your having a warm Fosters and a bag of cheese band onion on the sofa in front of the BBC coverage or quaffing champers and munching on a lobster in the Royal Enclosure you can’t fail to be impressed by the stellar line ups attracted to Royal Ascot for today’s brilliant six race card.
The opening Queen Anne Stakes at 2.30pm sets a real poser for punters with Gladiatorus having his first run in this country after a breathtaking win in the Dubai Duty Free at Nad Al Sheba.
He’s now in the care of Saeed Bin Suroor, and with the Godolphin horses not firing on all cylinders and I’m prepared to take him on given that he encounters a straight mile here rather than the round course he was so impressive on in March.
Paco Boy’s explosive finishing kick could be a lethal weapon here, and although some still have lingering doubts about his ability to see out the mile let’s not forget he did take the bet365 Mile at Sandown Park not so long ago, before managing only fourth in the Lockinge when they say he wasn’t right on the day.
Sir Michael Stoute’s Main Aim could go right to the top, but he still has to prove he can do it at the top level on his first try in a Group One, and at 7/2 I’m happy to plump for Paco Boy assuming he’s back on top of his game.
A little later in the day I’m greatly looking forward to the Guineas re-match between Mastercratftsman and Delegator in the St James’s Palace Stakes.
Aidan O’Brien has a super record in the race in recent seasons and produced Mastercraftsman to hose up on heavy ground in the Irish Guineas at the end of May, in a race in which Delegator could never land a blow on ground he hated.
Now though with underfoot conditons far more in favour of Brian Meehan’s charge I fancy the pendulum to swing in favour of the English Guineas second, who lest we forget only gave best to a certain Sea The Stars at Newmarket.
With one of them odds on across the board and the other available at 9/2 I’m more than happy to place my confidence in Delegator.
St James’s Palace Stakes Odds
Good luck!
Today’s bets at Royal Ascot:
2.30 Queen Anne Stakes – 9 Paco Boy (win) @ 7/2 (Stan James & Victor Chandler)
3.45 St James’s Palace Stakes – 2 Delegator (win) @ 9/2 (Paddy Power & Boylesports)
Tags: bbc racing, betting, channel 4, delegator, galdiatrous, odds, paco boy, queen anne stakes, royal ascot, st james palace stakes, tip, tips, tom lee
