Royal Ascot 2017 Review

Where does the 2017 edition of Royal Ascot sit in your mind? For me I think this was a classic edition that will provide multiple group winners in the future. Although Aiden O’Brien won the trainers title again this year it felt like it was a subdued royal meeting for the boys at Ballydoyle. They really struggled at the beginning of the week with the boys in blue (Godolphin) taking away the big races and upstaging their rivals. The Ballydoyle teams saving grace was the likes of champion filly, Winter, and the champion sprinting colt, Caravaggio, who for me, were some of the highlights of the meeting.

Day One of the Royal Meeting was dominated by a massive performance by Barney Roy and Ribchester for Godolphin, with both horse’s equally impressive over the mile. Barney Roy only having his fourth start showed tenacity and quality that will hold him in good stead for the rest of the season. I think he can beat Churchill again and prove his critics wrong. Churchill was disappointing, but from reports he had a vet problem. Now, I would really love to see these two superstars battle it out again as both Barney Roy and Churchill really are something special. We should all appreciate them while they’re around for the rest of this season and if we are lucky, even the next. Other than the two feature races on day one, Thomas Hobson and Lady Aurelia were absolute standouts with their scintillating displays over in the King’s Stand and Ascot Stakes. The two year old races on the card were incredible close, it can only lead to some exceptional racing for the remainder of the season for the British and Irish two year olds.

On Day Two of the royal meeting the standout for me was the two year old Heartache. The filly had a lot to prove after last years winner of the Queen Mary went on to win the King’s Stand Stakes this year. Nevertheless, she looks a proper sprinter and I don’t see why she couldn’t repeat the feat of Lady Aurelia next year. Although racing was as brilliant as the first day we all had to love Highland Reel fighting all the way to the line and the three international winners on the program. With the two french horse Le Brivido an Qemah and the American Con Te Partiro for Wesley Ward bring the international flavour that has been lacking at Royal Ascot the last couple of years. The mid to late 2000’s saw the Australian sprinters take Royal Ascot by storm and create an electrifying feel in the world of racing to which we saw more horse starting to travel and take the best on. Racing needs those moments where everyone on course and home admires the quality of these phenomenal animals, with the increase of prize money world wide we can only expect this feeling more often.

For me, the longer Royal Ascot goes on, the better it gets, and I’m sure that is the same for most racing enthusiasts. You start getting shivers up your spine and the hairs on the back of your neck start to stand and for me, Day Three gave me this in abundance. It wasn’t just the big races that give you this feeling, but it is every race. The Gold Cup never fails to deliver and this year was no exception with the brave, gallant and heroic Big Orange holding of the short priced favorite in Order Of St George in a nail bitter reminding me why I love this sport. It is the experience the thrill that you expect and this race had it all. Ballydoyle and Godolphin continued their famous rivalry with Benbatl and Orderofthegarter which instinctively took me back to the days of Galileo vs Fantastic light which I grew up with. It was definitely a day for the bookies with favorites getting beaten such as Order Of St George and Mori but no one could of had complaints about the quality of racing.

I could be wrong, but I believe Day Four is where Ascot decided to water the course creating an advantage to the far side of the track. This in turn, affected the even racing that had been created during the previous three days in the big handicaps and the two year old races. This said, it was a day for Ballydoyle team with Winter & Caravaggio being formidable  against their opposition. The commonwealth cup was going to the toughest test in Caravaggio’s armor and he proved that he as special as we all thought, he would hold his own in the Everest against what is looking like a quality field taking shape. What more can we say about Winter she has won both the English and Irish guineas in authoritative fashion and now she has won the coronation stakes is the princess challenging the queen Minding for her crown. Minding swept all before her last year, has to be one of the greatest northern hemisphere filly’s we have seen in quite some time. Coolmore are incredibly lucky to receive both high quality filly’s one after another. Other than the brilliance by Coolmore’s horse on day 4 of the Royal Meeting one horse stood out imperticuler. That was Periman i will be the first to admit i thought the horse’s form was about to tail off after his Derby run which was poor by his high standards. However the horse proved me wrong with his gritty and workmanlike performance to beat Khalidi and the highly thought of, Crystal Ocean. I would not be surprised to see periman head down under for the Godolphin team and target a BMW at Sydney Carnival and his performance to date suggest that. Winning the Dante (1m2f- 2000m) and now the King Edward stake Vii (1m3f - 2250) an undulating Derby probably found the horse out but a flat 2400 like Australia would see the horse be close to unstoppable.

The Last day of the Royal Meeting for another year and what a spectacle we received. The elegance, glamour and charisma that we not only see on the track but the innovative fashions designs and of course the people that work tirelessly behind the scenes to make the meeting happen. Ascot brought out a poem for this years Royal Meeting and for me it is something instinctively think of when someone mentions Royal Ascot. I believe most clubs and racing venues around the world should look and take note at what ascot have done over the years and because it creates a hype for racing enthusiasts and generally public to come together and celebrate something special. Back to the last day’s racing, where to begin! For some reason the last day doesn’t have the same energy as previous years. For me the last day was all about the international sprinters coming to take on the best of Britain and sadly the last day of the meeting has not lived up to the excitement the rest of Royal Ascot 2017 brought to us. The horse that stood out for me on the last day was September, this filly is something special and i remember watching a replay of her first race a couple of weeks ago and i was in awe of her. She is truly magnificent and i would jump at the 6-1 for next years 1000 Guineas because she is only going to tumble in further the more she impresses everyone for the rest of her campaign. The Tin man won the Golden Jubilee which looked on paper and in running a very average race with the runner being up fairly unexposed and Limato not running anywhere near is best. Thomas Hobson almost completing a rare double in the Queen Alexandra stake coming just short but i would follow him if he heads down to Melbourne for the cup as he looks like a northern hemisphere horse with enough speed and stamina to cope with that type of race. That does my review of the Royal Meeting for 2017 but i’ll leave you with the poem Ascot brought out for this years addition and will attach the link to the youtube video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix3E7apGhb0

A WORLD LIKE NOWHERE ELSE

By Henry Birtles

Spinning on its own Axis, where seas of silk lap graceful shores,

A world like nowhere else exists

Where quintessential currents run and elegance and power converge,

And tales of timeless greats are spun and showstoppers emerge

A world for all to celebrate; light years away from ordinary

A world which deftly radiates its realm; and bows to the extraordinary

Where earthly rigours found outside and lived outside are left outside

And wishes wished are realised through all the finer tastes this land will grant

To let its spell enchant; to walk its walk once through those golden gilded gates

To gaze at beauty styled and beauty stitched on graceful form adorned

To know that bay imperious Horse immortalised and cast in bronze is Yeats

That headlines here accomplished render sporting moments starred

This Kingdom...smiling Green Coats kindly guard; this universe beyond three centuries old

Such elements, such pieces of a jigsaw wrought to mould this multi-coloured globe

A blazing beacon to the most majestic sport of all where heroes rise and heroes fall,

And Royal Ascot’s world stands tallest of the tall

Royal Ascot 2017: Day Three

June 22nd, 2017

Day Three looks as equally challenging as the first two, but if you have been lucky enough to make some money off the first couple of days then going a bit wider today might see you with a return of the same luck!

Norfolk Stakes

Traditionally with these two year old Royal Ascot races we have another big exciting field contesting in this years event. So far in the two year old events it’s been a mixed bag with no favourite winning either, with only the second favourite or slightly rougher chances having prevailed. Again, in this two year old race I trust in Wesley Ward’s charge, McErin, the trainer been mr consistent so far in this years Royal Meeting. This race is full of form and chances but going off his last start Pilkington caught my eye as he looks a very precocious and speedy type while Havana Grey boasts strong form coming into this race off a second on his first start with two subsequent wins.

Best Bet: McErin

Watch Out: Pilkington

Hampton Court stakes

Trying to pick something in this could prove rather difficult as there are so many form lines. Some horses coming back from the English and French Derby’s where they did not live upto expectations with some who are still relatively unexposed. The boys in blue had 3 winners on the first day, but came just short yesterday leaving all three of their representatives (Bay Of Poets, Benbatl and Tamleek) with an equal chance. Out of the three, Benbatl would have to be their best chance after smart performances in the Dante and Derby last month. After Highland Reels’ win last night you would hope the Ballydoyle team would be able to kick home a few more winners towards the back end of this carnival. Taj Mahal and Orderofthegarter are carrying similar form lines going into this race and have produced equally similar performance in their last two races. If I was having a bet in this race I would lean towards Irishcorrespondent as he brings some exceptional form into this race after his 3rd in the Irish 2000 Guineas behind Churchill and Thunder Snow (who Ran in the St James Palace Group 1 on Day One) and the extra distance of this race looks to be more than ideal for him.

Best Bet: Irishcorrespondent

Watch Out: Benbatl

Ribblesdale Stakes

Quality racing at it is best would be a great way to describe the racing at this years royal meeting. From two year olds to older horses there will be plenty of horses that punters will be able to follow in the upcoming weeks. This years Ribblesdale has attracted a very even field which most of these fillies are still unexposed and open to plenty of improvement. For me, this will be a race for the favourites this year with Alluringly looking a strong chance for Aiden O’Brien after running respectable races in the Cheshire Oaks and the English Oaks. We also have the two unexposed horses at the top level, Mori and Naughty Or Nice, both of which are trained by excellent trainers in John Oxx and Sir Michael Stoute (and we certainly don't need to tell those guys how to train a horse!). Mori is royally bred being out of Frankel x Midday, so even on breeding that is a massive kick start in the right direction ensuring that she can only improve further and is more than capable of giving her sire his first royal winner.

Best Bet: Mori

Watch Out: Alluringly

Gold Cup

The Gold Cup is probably one of the highlights of the Royal meeting and is the European equivalent to the Melbourne Cup. Although this race looks simple on paper with the stand out Order Of St George, I have slight hesitation that it is as simple as it looks. Order Of St George has everything in his favour; getting up to a suitable trip, he loves the track and won this race previously, the trainer has one of the best records in the race anyone has seen, and he is a versatile horse. From a kiwi’s perspective, I am hoping Torcedor runs an outstanding race and although he beat Order Of St George last time out, he still has a lot to prove in comparison to the favourite. I honestly believe if there is any horse that can beat the favourite, it will be Simple Verse. The only reservation I have is if her stamina will hold up, but if her stamina holds, she has the turn off foot to beat Order Of St George.

Best bet: Order Of St George

Watch Out: Simple Verse

Britannia stakes

Another big sized field towards the back end the card on day three of the Royal Meeting, a lot of these three year olds still have a lot of improvement in them. The hardest thing for me in this race is trying to transfer the form the AW to the turf and as we all know, that form does not necessarily happen. I’ve managed to find a couple of good each way shots but in a handicap like this, anything can really win it. Godolphin again, have quite a few contenders in this race like they have all meeting but I have taken a particular liking to, Leader’s Legacy as he has had 2 starts this year and won them both and at 20-1 with G Mosse on board he might prove a lot of favourite backers wrong. Other contenders that I that appear to be of interest in this race are Son Of The Stars, Afaak, Sabador and Senator. Son Of The Stars won his first two race on the AW and transferred to the turn nicely last time out albeit green so I believe he can turn the tables on Ronald R this time around. Afaak has had limited starts in his career and each time has improved remarkably and could easily continue on the upward trend. Sabador again, has great form coming into this race and I can’t see any reason why he couldn’t keep going on with it. Lastly, Senator is another by the legendary Frankel, he also holds reasonably form going into this. This is a great race if you like something at a price to just have a go and see if you can come out on top.

Best Bet: Son Of The Stars

Watch Out: Afaak

King George V Stakes

Last race of the day on day three is the King George V Stakes over 1m4f. I’m not sure what to make of this race as it seems to me that these are just below the level required for group racing currently but possibly offer a bit more potential in the long run. Again Godolphin have multiple runners in this race and seem to have targeted this carnival. Atty Persse must be the first choice for the stable considering the form he has shown in his very limited career to date with the only negative for him being his wide draw. John Gosden has a couple of runners in the race including Master Singer, who is held in high regard by the team at home and quite rightly so after demolishing inferior opposition last month but still has to be respected. It would of been interesting to see which one of 3 Gosden runners Frankie would of chosen if he were fit enough. Ballydoyle also have a couple (Homesman and Utah) in the race but they seem to be off a stiff mark when making their handicapping debut, but don’t let me put you off if it’s a stable you follow!

Best Bet: Master Singer

Watch Out: Atty Persse

Royal Ascot 2017: Day Two

June 21st, 2017

A quick re-cap on day one of Royal Ascot. If you managed to follow any of my tips and made some money off them, I bid you a massive congratulations! The Standouts of the day were definitely Ribchester at the short odds, Lady Aurelia who was dominating in the King’s Stand as well as the equally impressive, Barney Roy.

Day two at Royal Ascot looks to be a competitive affair so if you are wanting to look outside the favoured runners, then I would encourage you to spend your money today as majority of races have big even fields with lots of chances.

Jersey Stakes

The Jersey stakes is a great way to start off day two of Royal Ascot with an open three year old contest. The form from the Guineas seems to be a good reference point as Barney Roy and Thunder Snow have both reversed the form with Churchill in St James Palace Stakes. Going off that theory Daban and Dream Castle must be hard to beat after good runs in the 1000 & 2000 Guineas respectively and the Godolphin team have had a great start to the carnival so it may pay not to leave them out of multiples. Le Brivido for Andre Fabre has to be taken into consideration after last finishing second in the french 2000 Guineas last time out and with a masterful trainer he could well take this out. Other live chances in the race are Whitecliffsofdover even though the Ballydoyle stable haven't hit this festival running like many thought they would, he is a must have either way. Escobar, if he can recapture his early two year old form, again has a chance, and Chessman is lively outside for John Gosden.

Best Bet: Le Brivido

Watch Out:Whitecliffsofdover

Queen Mary Stakes

This years Queen Mary Stakes looks like it is full of quality individuals and we can look forward to some nice types coming out of this race. From watching a Royal Ascot preview with Richard Hannon he seems to think a lot of Out Of The Flames in this years race and at prices of 16-1 it’s worth having ago at. The trainer knows how to train a good horse and has a wealth of experience with young horses so i am sitting up and taking note if he thinks this one is well over the odds. We also have to look at Wesley Ward’s charge Happy Like A Fool the trainer has won the last two runnings of this race and with Ryan Moore on you would like to think he might go close again this year.

Best Bet: Out Of The Flames

Watch Out:Happy Like A Fool

Duke Of Cambridge Stakes

This years Duke Of Cambridge stakes could go either go the way of the favourite runners or it could go the opposite way and go to something rougher especially with foreign form. The two Goldolphin owned horses Usherette and Laugh Aloud look the two hardest to beat boasting group and listed form in thier couple of last starts. My interest however, is taken by the number of international runners in the event this year. Smart Call, previously from South Africa, now with Sir Michael Stoute and the two Ex Argentinian horses Greta G (John Gosden) and Furia Cruzada (S Kobayashi), who the later ran in the Dubai World Cup last start so dropping back in grade for this must have a great each way chance if she turns up.

Best Bet: Usherette

Watch Out:Smart Call

* Please note Laugh Aloud has been scratched

 Prince of Wales Stakes

The prince Of Wales this year looks a race in three, those three are the ones at the top of the market Highland Reel, Jack Hobbs and Ulysses. Highland Reel is mr consistency who always runs a genuine race and he will give his admires a run for their money but for me I think you need to be looking at the other two. Jack Hobbs has showed that he his top quality with his second to Golden Horn in the english derby and winning the Irish equivalent, he was also impressive earlier in the year in dubai beating Highland Reel and Postponed. Ulysses is the bolter in the race who is still relatively unknown on how good he really is but his resuming run at Sandown was impressive and Sir Michael has always held this horse in the highest regard.

Best Bet: Jack Hobbs

Watch Out: Ulysses

Royal Hunt Cup

This years Hunt Cup is a minefield and I genuinely think if you like something in this race just go for it because absolutely anything could win this. Most horses will be on the second or third row of betting which will be great odds for some lucky punter who can strike a tricast or trifecta. I’ve narrowed it down to four runners that I would be happy to have on any ticket. Firstly, I believe Ballet Concerto can run a cracker of a race after his last start at Epsom where he got blocked at a crucial stage so expect natural improvement out of that race. In terms of form the big boys at Goldolphin and OTI racing have G K Chesterton and Fastnet Tempest as hopefuls in the race which both are in solid winning form and winning form is good form. My last pick is Abe Lincoln, now I’ve heard a lot about this horse through social media forums this week and from all reports, this horse has a massive reputation and is raring to go.

Best Bet: Ballet Concerto

Watch Out: Abe Lincoln

Sandringham Handicap

Again, another open race much like the order of the day, but I definitely think there is some form in this race and if you will to dig into the form you may get a good price around a few of these. A lot of early money has come for Gymnaste (and quite rightly so), as her form is rock solid and she still has room for natural improvement. However in this race I have been looking slightly out of the square in this one, I think Aiden O’Briens first choice Rain Goddess could be the bolter after acquitting herself in group company this term. I also believe another horse capable of running a cracker of a race is Sibilance as she placed in a listed race second up and could quite possibly go on with it after this race. So even if Sibilance does not win, I think she is worth following for the rest of the season.

Best Bet: Rain Goddess

Watch Out: Sibilance

Royal Ascot 2017: Day One

June 20th, 2017

What do you think of when people ask you what is your favourite racing carnival? Well for me personally I would say, without question, that mine is Royal Ascot. Royal Ascot is not only the creme de le creme of racing in the UK & Europe, but for the most part, the world. It’s not only a spectacle because of the top quality equine flesh on show, but for the social meaning and context the meeting has to everyone else. I was lucky enough as a child to visit Royal Ascot at York which only fueled my passion for the industry and now, just thinking about the meeting, sends shivers down my spine and gets me pumped for the action to come.

This weeks blog is a tip guide to all you keen punters out there on my thoughts on the Royal Ascot Carnival. I am aiming to post twice this week once I get a chance to study through the stack of form on our hands from sources such as Attheraces and Racing Post.

Tuesday 20th June

Queen Anne

What better way to start of the carnival with the customary Queen Anne Stakes for the older horses which has attracted a decent size field from around the globe. At face value on form Ribchester should be winning by the same margin as he did in the lockinge and I can’t see Lightning Spear turning the tables, my slight query is will he handle the fast ground expected at the royal meeting? Looking at the speed map on Attheraces it looks like it could be a frantic speed early with Godolphin and Qatar Racing having pacemakers in the event which might set the race up for the likes of Dutch Connection and Kool Kompany at good each way prices respectively.

Best Bet: Ribchester

Watch Out: Dutch Connection and  Kool Kompany

Coventry Stakes

The Irish have a great strike rate in the race winning 5 out of the last 10 renewals of the race, taking that stat into account Brother Bear has had two races one on good to firm grounds and the other on soft grounds, thus making for a great opportunity to add to that statistic. Aiden O’Brien has won the Coventry a staggering four times so his charge Murillo after being green in the last 2 furlongs of his race tipperary and stretching out to an impressive win is a must have. Otherwise it is a very open race with quite a few good each way chance like Arawak and De Bruyne horse.

Best Bet: Murillo

Watch Out: De Bruyne Horse

The King’s Stand

This years renewal of The King Stand Stakes looks like an interesting race on paper as it is anyone’s game. If I was having a bet in this years race I would be looking at the top four on form and class alone. Lady Aurelia must have a strong trip over the short 5 furlongs and we all know she handles Ascot incredibly after her devastating win in last years Queen Mary. She also has good statistics over course and distance. Another with good similar statistics is Marsha who has an equally good chance at winning a very open race. My advice in this race if you like something have a go, because this is racing; nothing is certain!

Best Bet: Lady Aurelia

Watch Out: Marsha

St James Palace Stakes

Here we have a two horse war in this year St James Palace stakes, for me Churchill and Barney Roy are the only two you need. You cannot go past churchill on what he has done to date in his career winning both the english and irish guineas on varying types of ground and doing it impressively. He also has that man Aiden O’ Brien who i believe is one of the best conditioners of 3yr olds in the world. Barney Roy I believe can only improve off his guineas second where he looked like he almost fell coming out of the dip. So taking that into consideration he maybe the only one to defeat Churchill

Best Bet: Churchill

Watch Out: Barney Roy

Ascot Stakes

The Ascot Stakes has always been a great betting spectacle and this year is no different. The field size for the 2m4f looks like it could be a great form race for future cups race later in the season. I’ve been analysing this field for the last day now and I am no clearer on my person picks, but depending where abouts in the world you are and what type of bets your are able to place on this meeting, this is the race I recommend taking a spread in. Personally I am looking around Thomas Hobson out of the Mullins Yard and Yorkidding which I believe is a great each way bet at 16-1. Thomas Hobson is a natural selection as he is trained by Mullins so we know stamina and conditioning of the horse is not going to be a problem as well as jump trainers have a great record in the race over the last 10 Years. Yorkidding is an interesting prospect as he ran a great second in the Chester Cup and beat Who Dares Wins who he meets again today and I believe Yorkidding will see out the distance after his four runs in.

Best Bet: Thomas Hobson

Watch Out: Yorkidding

Windsor Castle Stakes

Again another open race to end the first day at Royal Ascot and for punters it does not get much easier, trying to tie in the two American horse as well as our own form could prove tricky in the big 24 runner field. Out of the two american chances, I believe Elizabeth Darcy is the best value as she beat C J S Suzie Byu by 7 ½ lengths in comparison to Nootka Sound who beat the same horse 5 ¼ lengths meanwhile Nootka Sounds breeding appeals to me having an Australian sire which could be a potential lead as the Australian bred horses have a tremendous record at the meeting. Outside of those two horses, Simmy’s Copshop looks to have a decent each way chance as he raced in a listed event last time out in Ireland and Mokaatil if he lives up to his huge price tag must be taken into consideration as he is second up.

Best Bet: Elizabeth Darcy

Watch Out: Mokaatil