Ascot | Race 1: G2 Norfolk Stakes
CHARLES DARWIN is a very good horse. He’s a brother to Blackbeard, who was fourth in the Coventry Stakes as a two-year-old, and already has three runs under his belt, which is a big help coming to a big stage like Royal Ascot.
He won his last two starts pretty comfortably and probably sets the standard.
Ascot | Race 2: King George V Stakes
SERIOUS CONTENDER has been put away since winning at Leopardstown on his reappearance this season and he’s in good shape.
An absolute humdinger of a race awaits in the St James’s Palace Stakes at 4.20 on Tuesday, live on Sky Sports Racing. We have the winners of the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and it’s Irish and French Guineas equivalents all lining up in what is a very worthy contender for the race of the entire week.
The Derby’s loss is the Royal Ascot’s gain with 2000 Guineas hero Ruling Court rerouted on account of the rain softened Epsom ground to a track that is unlikely to see anything but the clerk’s watering can by way of moisture between now and Tuesday afternoon.
‘Send your best middle-distance older horses to the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes for your chance to compete for an incredible £1million prize pot!’ That’s about as much marketing as Ascot needs to promote a race of this nature.
Wednesday’s Group 1 showpiece, which is one of the featured contests during Royal Ascot, can be watched live on Sky Sports Racing at 4.20pm. An intriguing nine-strong field will head to post, so let’s take a look at the runners.
After a win and two seconds in the last three Coventry Stakes, our ambassador hopes Shaatir can get Royal Ascot off to a flyer on Tuesday, live on Sky Sports Racing.
SHAATIR CAN KEEP COVENTRY RUN GOING
The Coventry Stakes (3.05) at Royal Ascot is a race my boss Archie Watson and I have done well in and I’m expecting that good record to continue with the exciting SHAATIR in the big two-year-old race on the opening day on Tuesday, live on Sky Sports Racing.
Ascot | Race 1: G2 Queen Mary Stakes
TRUE LOVE has finished second on both of her starts so far.
She’s by No Nay Never and is a big, strong filly, who I think will be suited by a strong pace over five furlongs.
Zelaina looks set to go off a very short-price favourite.
She’s only won a Nottingham maiden but is expected to improve a lot, so she must be respected.
Ralph Beckett’s Society Kiss won well at Ascot, while I know Michael Bell thinks a fair bit of his filly, Spicy Marg. They could be the other ones to keep an eye on.
Last year’s race
Winner: Pilgrim
Jockey: Joe Fanning
Trainer: David & Nicola Barron
Owner: Mr H D Atkinson
Age: 3
Weight: 9st 1lbs
Starting Price: 18/1
Season Form Figures: 031
Previous Best: 1st - Class 4 Handicap, Musselburgh (June 2024)
By Paul Jones
Last year’s race
Winner: Porta Fortuna
Jockey: Tom Marquand
Trainer: Donnacha O'Brien
Owner: Medallion/S Weston/B Fowler/Reeves T'Bs
Age: 3
Weight: 9st 2lbs
Starting Price: 7/2
Season Form Figures: 2
Previous Best: 2nd - 1000 Guineas Stakes (Group 1), Newmarket (May 2024)
By Paul Jones
Last year’s race
Winner: Calandagan
Jockey: Stephane Pasquier
Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard
Owner: H H Aga Khan
Age: 3
Weight: 9st 2lbs
Starting Price: 11/2
Season Form Figures: 211
Previous Best: 1st - Prix Hocquart (Group 3), ParisLongchamp (May 2024)
By Paul Jones
Last year’s race
Winner: Soprano
Jockey: Billy Loughnane
Trainer: George Boughey
Owner: Highclere Thoroughbred Racing - Da Vinci
Age: 3
Weight: 9st 5lbs
Starting Price: 14/1
Season Form Figures: 53
Previous Best: 2nd - Albany Stakes (Group 3), Royal Ascot (June 2023)
By Paul Jones
