Wally Pyrah	David Duggan	Wendyll Woods
With a mark of excellence in the business for over 30 years, Wally Pyrah has been notable to many in UK's racing industry. He had long been a key editorial member of The Racing Post, UK's authoritative racing/ sports wagering press, and is integral part of the expert cast in various preview shows - on screen and through the air – to major international racedays on a regular basis, such as the European classics.	David has been working in the racing/bloodstock industry for over 20 years. He has worked at Coolmore Stud Ireland and in Lexington Kentucky with leading Farms. He is also an active writer publishing written articles for many publications including The Guardian newspaper. For the past 7 years, he has been broadcasting in the UK and Ireland for At The Races and Sky Sports. David has recently joined in August 2012 and will provide more insights on simulcast races.	Wendyll Woods began his riding career in Hong Kong as an apprentice jockey to trainer Lawrence Fownes in 1983. He became Fownes' retained jockey from 1987/88 to end of 2001/02 when he was retained by his younger brother Sean Woods. During his Hong Kong racing career, he rode an impressive 3,897 Hong Kong races, riding 321 winners with a winning percentage of 8.2%, including the Queen Mother Memorial Cup with CARACOLER in 2002. Woods also spent five years racing in England where he won several key races including Heron Stakes and Princess Elizabeth Stakes. He currently runs a stud farm with his older brother in England.

Overseas Expert Column for King’s Stand Stakes Day (Wally Pyrah & David Duggan)

S1-1 Queen Anne Stakes (Wally Pyrah)

Bettors must ask themselves before they wager on the opening event of the five-day Royal Ascot meeting, do they want to take an odds-on favourite that has never won over 1,600m, and has only won one of his four starts on turf? The horse in question is former Kentucky Derby winner and this seasons Dubai World Cup victor ANIMAL KINGDOM who makes his European debut. He did however, produce an outstanding effort after a nine-month break through injury, to finish an unlucky second – no room turning into the home stretch – to the American Horse of the Year WISE DAN in the Breeders’ Cup Mile on turf last November.

Last month’s Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury holds the key to a number of horses who line-up here and can be given a chance. With Lockinge Stakes winner FARHH sidelined through injury, SOVEREIGN DEBT comes into the equation having belied his odds at 81 when chasing home FARHH that day. Michael Bell’s four-year-old has already won twice and been placed over the straight Ascot track and will appeal to those looking for value.

Aidan O’Brien’s challenger DECLARATION OF WAR started a very short-priced favourite in the Lockinge Stakes, having won five of his six previous races, including a Listed race at Leopardstown in Ireland. He finished a well beaten fifth that day, but it wouldn’t be a big surprise for him to show that form all wrong and run much better at Royal Ascot.

Another horse who ran in the Lockinge Stakes was third placed ALJAMAAHEER, who produced a creditable performance, considering it was his first try in Group 1 company. Being a lightly raced colt who has learnt to settle better in his races, he looks worth putting on the short-list.

Keep an eye on TRADE STORM who was a progressive handicap in the UK last season, and continued to make great strides in Dubai this spring, winning twice and finishing fourth in the Dubai Duty Free. He likes to pounce late with a strong finishing burst and could make the frame if the tempo is fast.

It’s interesting to note that filly ELUSIVE KATE runs here instead of taking on her own sex in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes later in the week. She would have good prospects if she could reproduce her third to EXCELEBRATION and CITYSCAPE in last season’s Prix Jacques le Marois and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

SELECTIONS: 2. ANIMAL KINGDOM, 11. TRADE STORM, 1. ALJAMAAHEER & 13. ELUSIVE KATE



S1-2 King’s Stand Stakes (David Duggan)

This race has been won by an overseas raider in six of the last eight runnings and once again the raider in this instance SHEA SHEA from the powerful Mike de Kock stable is a worthy favourite. The six year old has won 4 of his last 5 starts culminating with a very impressive win in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan where he beat the two Hong Kong raiders JOY AND FUN and EAGLE REGIMENT in good style. He can however disappoint on occasions and whilst the trainer has compared him to the likes of J J THE JET PLANE he is going to have to be at his best. He has been travelling plenty but reports from the UK where he has been for the last five weeks training are positive he will go close.

The domestic challenge will be headed by last year’s top class two years old RECKLESS ABANDON who was five for five as a juvenile and ended his season on a high by landing the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes over 1,200m, of more significance however is his second run here at Ascot at the Royal Meeting last year where he was a ready winner of the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes over 1,000m. His reappearance run this year was full of promise when he was third only beaten half a length to the useful KINGSGATE NATIVE. That run will leave him perfect for this and I feel he could well stamp himself as a potential sprinting champion.

SWISS SPIRIT who was a neck in front of RECKLESS ABANDON in the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock has solid credentials too. He won twice last season: a Listed race over 1,200m at Newbury and improving again at the same course to land a Group 3 over 1,000m, he is just the type to keep improving and if he improves for the Haydock run he is a threat to all.

As ever in a race of this type one can make a case for many in the field and the like of KINGSGATE NATIVE who beat RECKLESS ABANDON and SWISS SPIRIT will have his supporters but consistency is not his strong suit however, SHAMEXPRESS has some good form and is another fascinating overseas challenger. He must be respected.

I thought at the likely odds HEERAAT was worth keeping in mind for the excellent William Haggas. This horse has always been held in high regard and whilst he was a bit disappointing at Beverly on his last start he did impress when winning at Newbury over similar distance three starts back he could well run above his likely big price.

I must make mention of the draw here, the course we redeveloped in 2005 and there is really not enough data to form a very strong opinion, due to the watering policy at Ascot any biases may be from meeting to meeting rather than over time. The clerk of the course Chris Stickles tries hard to eliminate any bias, but generally in the limited data available if one was to choose a high draw would have marginal preference.

SELECTIONS: 18. RECKLESS ABANDON, 15. SWISS SPIRIT, 11. SHEA SHEA & 3. HEERAAT

DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-1:
Banker – 2. ANIMAL KINGDOM
Selections – 11. TRADE STORM, 1. ALJAMAAHEER, 4. DECLARATION OF WAR & 13. ELUSIVE KATE

S1-2:
Banker – 18. RECKLESS ABANDON
Selections – 15. SWISS SPIRIT, 11. SHEA SHEA, 3. HEERAAT & 5. KINGSGATE NATIVE



S1-3 St James’s Palace Stakes (Wally Pyrah)

There a question marks regarding all three major contenders who dominate the betting for the ‘highlight race’ of the opening day at Royal Ascot. Heading the odds board is last season’s European top juvenile DAWN APPROACH, who was unbeaten in seven starts, including this season’s 1600m Group 1 English 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, until he fell to earth with a hefty bump in the 2,400m Group 1 Epsom Derby a couple of weeks back.

Many excuses have been recorded for that defeat, including having knocked himself coming out of the barriers, and then proceeding to over race without cover for most of the journey and then weakening rapidly to finish last. The fact is he was never going to run in this race, until producing a scintillating home gallop last Thursday, where upon his jockey Kevin Manning said he was back to his best. If that is true this race would be ‘no contest’.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien who has won three of the last six running’s of the St James’s Palace Stakes, runs two challengers, MARS, but spearheaded by MAGICIAN. This beautifully bred colt is progressing into a serious contender, having won the Group 3 Dee Stakes at Chester on a tight rein, and then running away from his opposition in the 1,600m Group 1 Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh. Unfortunately he knocked his leg in his final gallop at Ballydoyle last Thursday and it was only after careful consideration he is being allowed to run.

Trainer Richard Hannon and connections could not have been more confident about the chances of TORONADO going into the English 2,000 Guineas, before their star colt, who had previously won the Group 3 Craven Stakes in impressive style, was eclipsed by DAWN APPROACH. The excuse was his breathing was compromised and he will now wear a tongue tie. Such is the esteem this colt is held in, he could possibly do what another Hannon colt CANFORD CLIFFS did in 2010, by getting beat in the English 2,000 Guineas and then winning the St James’s Palace Stakes.

The rest of the field look like they are racing for only minor honors, with possibly DUNDONNELL – beaten twice by TORONADO in both the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster and the Group 3 Craven Stakes at Newmarket, as the one to include in exotic wagers.

SELECTIONS: 1. DAWN APPROACH, 9. TORONADO, 6. MAGICIAN & 2. DUNDONNELL



S1-4 Coventry Stakes (David Duggan)

This is one of the most important juvenile races in the European calendar and is invariably won by a colt likely to take high honours in his 3-year-old campaign. Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien and UK champion trainer Richard Hannon have both won two running’s of this event in last 6 seasons. Both trainers field strong contenders once again.

STUBBS is the first of the O’Brien contenders to look at, he has had three starts and was beaten on debut by a likely smart type in a useful maiden. He has made up for that lapse by winning at Navan a stiff 1,000m and then stepping up again at Naas winning a Listed race over today’s 1,200m. In common with many in his stable he has a great pedigree, his dam MOONSTONE was a Group 1 winner and he has a lot of quality and clearly has inherited her ability.

SIR JOHN HAWKINS is slightly harder to assess as he has only had one start but it was a winning one at the Curragh over 1,200m in common with his dam PEEPING FAWN a high class filly and he looks very promising but perhaps not as tough at this stage of his career as STUBBS.

WAR COMMAND completes the trio for Aidan O’Brien and he was a good winner over 1,400m at Leopardstown on debut, whether this 1,200m will suit is another matter.

CHAMPIONSHIP is the first of the Hannon trio, the chosen mount of UK champion and stable jockey Richard Hughes. He was slow to start but won easily at Newbury over 1,200m on debut, he was quite immature that day but will have improved markedly for that outing and the Hannon camp seem to like him a lot.

His stablemate THUNDER STRIKE will be ridden by Frankie Dettori and is three from three he is going in the right direction and with two wins at 1,000m and one at 1,200m he is sure to be popular especially with Dettori in the saddle.

WAHAAB completes the trio for Hannon. A Goodwood winner over 1,200m he has been deserted by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s retained rider Paul Hanagan, in favour of MAWFOOR and that in itself is significant.

MAWFOOR, despite winning his last race, has still a bit to prove. He appeared to surprise connections on debut when second and was certainly still quite immature when we last saw him winning at Haydock over 1,200m.

LANARK could run a good race for Mark Johnston who has quite a decent record at the Royal Meeting. The son of CAPE CROSS has appeared twice on the racecourse both outings have been at Goodwood over 1,200m and he has been second and won. As is customary for this stable he is likely to try to make all the running here and whilst possibly not quite good enough to win he could stay on well enough to place.

I think the fact that Hannon and O’Brien field strong teams here is very significant and it will be a surprise were they not to saddle horses that play a big part in this race so I expect their runners to go very close.

SELECTIONS: 12. STUBBS, 2. CHAMPIONSHIP, 11. SIR JOHN HAWKINS & 5. LANARK




S1-5 Ascot Stakes (Handicap) (Wally Pyrah)

Bettors need to be careful in a race of this nature, with 20 runners competing over a distance where the majority of them are facing this extreme test for the first time. You can guarantee that if TIGER CLIFF was successful, the cheers from the grandstand would be heard for many a mile. This improving four-year-old was in the care of legendary trainer Sir Henry Cecil who died last week and is now handled by his wife Lady Cecil. Sir Henry expressed his desire to run TIGER CLIFF in this race, after he won over 2,800m at Newmarket last month – MUBARAZA was third – and having trained the winner of the Ascot Stakes knows what it takes to win race of this nature.

The owners of TIGER CLIFF are also represented by LIEUTENANT MILLER who is trained by champion jump trainer Nicky Henderson, who has won this race on numerous occasions. This old campaigner won a 3,400m Doncaster race in emphatic style recently, and is bound to stay the 4,000m trip. Jump trainers do well in this contest, and a close eye should be kept on MIDNIGHT OIL who hasn’t run on the flat for two seasons, but has won twice and been placed twice in his last four runs over 3,200m-4,000m hurdle events in Ireland. The booking of top pilot Richard Hughes by champion Irish jumps trainer Willie Mullins is a major plus to his chances.

HOMERIC, a winner over 3,200m and sure to stay further, is the ride of Frankie Dettori, and is sure to prove popular, a comment that can also be said about MYSTERIOUS MAN who just failed in a photo over 2,800m at Salisbury last month, with Sir Michael Stoute’s MAWAQUEET 6th, and who will need to improve on that form.

Aidan O’Brien will be seeking compensation with his Chester Cup failure JUSTIFICATION who started favourite in the 3,700m contest, but had a torrid run during the race, and is sure to step up on that performance. O’Brien is also represented by Ryan Moore ridden MARCHESE MARCONI, a lightly-raced individual who has won twice and been placed three times in five runs.

Finally keep an eye on SURAJ who was noted making stealthy late headway in the Chester Cup – was unsuited by the tight track – and has been working exceptionally well in home gallops. The booking of big race jockey Jamie Spencer suggests connections are pleased with their hope.

SELECTIONS: 6. MIDNIGHT OIL, 19. LIEUTENANT MILLER, 5. SURAJ & 7. TIGER CLIFF




S1-6 Windsor Castle Stakes (David Duggan)

Traditionally the weakest of the two year old races at Royal Ascot but as the size of the field would indicate very competitive and often springs a surprise result. As discussed earlier whilst Hannon and O’Brien have excellent records with juveniles at this meeting their respective efforts to win this race have been appalling indeed.

Hannon fields four strong challengers with ANTICIPATED likely to head the quartet. This son of WHIPPER has two wins from two to his name and his latest victory came here at Ascot over 1,000m. He is speedy and must enter calculations are the other three runners from the stable. They all have solid credentials, although SACHA PARK has yet to win he has been second in two good races.

Aidan O’Brien fields two runners in the shape of FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH and WILSHIRE BOULEVARD. Preference would certainly be for the former, a son of OASIS DREAM whose dam ATTRACTION was a top class filly, he has winning form over 1,000m at Tipperary having been beaten at Naas 1,200m stiff track on debut he should run a good race.

Wesley Ward, the American trainer has sent over OGERMEISTER, a winner at Belmont Park on debut over 1,000m in mid-May. He has to be respected as his trainer has a very good record with his runners in Europe.

I am drawn to trainer John Gosden’s runner BEN HALL, whilst not a stable star it is significant that Gosden has decided to run him here. He has had two starts, finishing fourth at Goodwood on debut running well over 1,200m but stepping up considerably on that effort when landing a decent Haydock maiden over this 1,000m with plenty in hand, it is not the norm for John Gosden to target a race of this nature so he must feel the horse has sound claims.

Kevin Ryan won this race last year and generally has a very good record with his juveniles so it makes perfect sense to consider his challenger SLEEPER KING by HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR, a sire who is so popular in Hong Kong. He, in common with others, has had two starts finishing fourth over 1,200m at York on debut in a good maiden but stepping up considerably on that run when winning over 1,000m on his last outing, travelling really strongly and asserting close home, he looks a very obvious contender.

All in all, this is a very competitive open affair where luck in running is sure to play a big part in the result.

SELECTIONS: 4. BEN HALL, 16. OGERMEISTER, 19. SLEEPER KING & 10. FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH




Overseas Expert Column for King’s Stand Stakes Day (Wendyll Woods)

S1-1 Queen Anne Stakes

Royal Ascot is the most glamorous and famous race meeting in the world and in traditional style it gets off to a bang with 3 consecutive Group 1s. The first of these is the Queen Anne Stakes over 1,600m for older horses. The focus in the build-up to the race has been on the American contender ANIMAL KINGDOM. With over £5 million in prize money and victories in the Kentucky Derby and Dubai World Cup etc., he is one to be taken seriously. He has been stabled in the UK for a couple of months now and has had a number of gallops at Ascot to familiarise himself with the long, straight mile that he has never faced before.

ANIMAL KINGDOM is a worthy favourite, but is worth taking on and my banker for this race is the John Gosden-trained ELUSIVE KATE. This 4-y-o filly will be making her seasonal reappearance, but she proved herself a genuine Group 1 3-y-o last year, with a campaign that included victory in the Prix Rothschild and an excellent third in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on British Champions Day. The recent vibes from the yard suggest that she has trained on and improved over the winter. If so, she can end up the top older miler this season, starting with victory here.

The rest of the field don’t appear to have the same quality as these two, but best of the rest may be DECLARATION OF WAR for Aidan O’Brien. He was disappointing when sent off favourite last time out in the Lockinge Stakes, but before that had looked progressive. He will need to improve considerably as he has only managed to win a Group 3 so far, but is clearly held in high regard by the Ballydoyle team and can cause a little upset by finishing second here.

Also likely to run a solid race is TRUMPET MAJOR, who started the season with a Group 2 victory and has run well at Ascot before.

SELECTIONS: 13. ELUSIVE KATE, 4. DECLARATION OF WAR, 2. ANIMAL KINGDOM & 12. TRUMPET MAJOR



S1-2 King’s Stand Stakes

The King’s Stand Stakes over 1,000m always attracts some of the world’s best sprinters and this year is no different with raiders from South Africa and Australia, however I think this year will see a British winner. Leading the home charge will hopefully be PEARL SECRET for David Barron who has only had 5 starts but has always been held in high regard by connections. Although he had only previously won a Listed race, he was thrown into Group 1 company at the end of last season where he performed with some credit in a race where he suffered some in-running interference. Now a 4-y-o, he will have strengthened up over the winter and can now prove himself quick enough for this level. Jamie Spencer takes the ride and that is a massive positive to this horses’ chance as he rides Ascot particularly well.

I also like SWISS SPIRIT who has improved with both runs so far this season. Unfit on his first start, he ran a massive race last time out when finishing second in a Group 2, having missed the break and being hampered at the start. If he can get a clear run, he is sure to run a big race.

A couple of the 3-y-o in the field also catch my eye, especially RECKLESS ABANDON, who proved himself a high class 2-y-o when winning the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes. His first run this year was in the same Group 2 as SWISS SPIRIT where he finished third and he is sure to have learnt a lot from that experience of taking on the older horses. A winner at the Royal meeting last year, he is taking high rank in the sprinting division for years to come.

Also, keep an eye on HOYAM, who I bred and has bags of pace. She should have won last time out when she was unlucky, so with her huge weight advantage as a 3-y-o and a filly here, she may be interesting at a big price.

Others to note include older horse KINGSGATE NATIVE who has looked back to his very best this season, SHEA SHEA for Mike de Kock who is a Group 1 winner in Meydan and SHAMEXPRESS from Australia, where they know how to train sprinters. But I’m backing the British horses and PEARL SECRET this time around.

SELECTIONS: 8. PEARL SECRET, 15. SWISS SPIRIT, 18. RECKLESS ABANDON & 19. HOYAM

DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (9 unit bets):
S1-1:
Banker – 13. ELUSIVE KATE
Selections – 4. DECLARATION OF WAR, 2. ANIMAL KINGDOM & 12. TRUMPET MAJOR
S1-2:
Banker – 8. PEARL SECRET
Selections – 15. SWISS SPIRIT, 18. RECKLESS ABANDON & 19. HOYAM



S1-3 St James’s Palace Stakes

The shock reappearance here of DAWN APPROACH has turned this 1,600m Group 1 for 3-y-o’s on its’ head and the English 2,000 Guineas winner cannot be taken on here. His performance in the Guineas was exceptional and he looked the best horse of his generation, but his reputation took a dent with his performance in the Derby. He failed to settle in the early stages and pulled himself to the front with half the race to go, throwing away any chance he had of staying the 2,400m trip, ending up well beaten. After the race trainer Jim Bolger said that he would be given a good rest and some time off, but his subsequent work at home has clearly persuaded him that he is ready to take his chance here. In the end he probably didn’t have too hard of a race in the Derby and he can be expected to resume his winning ways here and prove himself the best miler around.

The main dangers are headed by MAGICIAN, the impressive winner of the Irish 2,000 Guineas and unbeaten in 2 starts this season, and TORONADO for Richard Hannon. The form of the Irish 2,000 Guineas in particular has worked out quite well and MAGICIAN has shown that he has an impressive turn of foot that will pose a danger to the favourite. He is rumoured to have suffered some bruising in the last couple of days but the fact that they are still intending to run him means that he can confidently be expected to run up to form.

I feel that TORONADO has too much to do to beat DAWN APPROACH and MAGICIAN, but he is best of the rest by far. The Hannon yard still feel that he is potentially one of the best they have trained and that there were excuses for his tame finishing effort in the English 2,000 Guineas. They are running him in a different style bit here and he will also find the mile at Ascot slightly easier than at Newmarket, so expect to see him travelling strongly entering the final 200m.

The front three in the market should finish well clear, but for those of you looking for an outsider, keep in mind MARS, another Aidan O’Brien runner. He has only had three starts, but ran an eye-catching race in the Derby when he found some trouble in running. A strong travelling sort, he will relish the drop back to 1,600m and can give Ryan Moore a good spin.

Selections - 1. DAWN APPROACH, 6. MAGICIAN, 9. TORONADO & 7. MARS



S1-4 Coventry Stakes

The puzzle that is the Coventry Stakes looks as difficult as ever this year, but the one most I like is WAHAAB for Richard Hannon and owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. He has only had one start, winning at Goodwood, but the form of that race looks solid as he beat a subsequent winner and runner-up. He is beautifully bred, with his dam a Coronation Stakes winner; with the owner’s retained jockey Paul Hanagan on board MAWFOOR, Dane O’Neill takes the ride and so will ensure he will go off a generous price in a wide open renewal.

Others to note including RIVERBOAT SPRINGS, who ran a strange race at Epsom last time out. He was virtually tailed off last with 400m left to run, but he absolutely flew home to take an unbelievable second. He clearly didn’t handle the unique undulations of the track that day and the return to a more conventional course like Ascot will definitely help; expect to see him finishing strongly here.

Another Richard Hannon runner CHAMPIONSHIP looks another likely sort. He has only had the one start, but it is interesting to note that it was in the same race that previous Hannon winners of the Coventry, STRONG SUIT and CANFORD CLIFFS, won, so he clearly has shown enough ability at home to rank up there with them. He is sure to show plenty of speed as a son of EXCEED AND EXCEL and with champion jockey Richard Hughes on board, he is sure to go close.

Aidan O’Brien has an excellent record in this race and his most likely contender looks STUBBS, who has looked very impressive so far on his 3 starts. He is sure to be in the mix, but I’m concerned that his pedigree has lots of stamina in it and that he may find himself beaten late on by horses with more speed.

SELECTIONS: 15. WAHAAB, 8. RIVERBOAT SPRINGS, 2. CHAMPIONSHIP & 12. STUBBS



S1-5 Ascot Stakes (Handicap)

The Ascot Stakes is one of the longest Flat races of the year, run over 4,000m. Although this race is often targeted by Jump trainers, I fancy an emotional victory for TIGER CLIFF who is trained by Lady Cecil after the sad death last week of Sir Henry Cecil. This 4-y-o has only had 5 previous starts, but has been getting better with every run and is now rated 94. Having been gelded over the winter, he won easy last time out at Newmarket over 2,800m beating DE RIGUEUR into second, who has subsequently won. He is obviously taking a huge step up in trip, but he looks very progressive and will handle any ground; he looks a big player.

WELL SHARP has been trained for over a year now by leading Jump trainer Jonjo O’Neill and was hurdling during the winter, but sprung a bit of surprise when winning on his Flat reappearance at York last time out over 3,200m. However he powered clear that day, winning by 6 lengths in the end. He has been raised 10lbs to a mark of 95, but that should be no problem and Fran Berry takes the ride again.

Frankie Dettori picks up a good ride here for Edward Dunlop on HOMERIC, who looks very progressive after only 5 starts. He won over 3,200m here at Ascot last time and looks well worth a try at this trip as a half-brother to 4,800m hurdles winner. He has the makings of a good staying handicapper and he can prove that impression here.

One of the most interesting runners is MIDNIGHT OIL, for leading jumps trainer Willie Mullins and owners Gigginstown House Stud. They have booked champion jockey Richard Hughes and he can maybe cause a bit of an upset in his first Flat start in almost 2 years. Since then he has performed with credit over hurdles in Ireland and will handle any ground.

SELECTIONS: 7. TIGER CLIFF, 15. HOMERIC, 2. WELL SHARP & 6. MIDNIGHT OIL



S1-6 Windsor Castle Stakes

The finale of the card looks a wide open affair with lots of unexposed runners open to huge amounts of improvement, but ANTICIPATED looks a decent bet to end the day with a winner in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes. Trained by master 2-y-o trainer Richard Hannon, he is already a course and distance winner. The form of that race is working out rally well and this son of WHIPPER has shown plenty of speed. It is interesting that connections are running him here instead of one of the Group races, so they clearly feel that this is a more winnable opportunity and the hint should be taken.

John Gosden has only the one runner here in BEN HALL who seemed to thrive on the drop down to 1,000m last time out at Haydock. He took a bit of time to settle that day, but it was only a small field, so the certain strong pace here will help him relax and get a toe into the race. If building upon that effort, he looks very likely to be involved.

Perhaps another to note is HAIKBIDIAC who was a decent third in the Woodcote Stakes last time out. He showed up well for a long way, but will be suited by the stiff uphill finish at Ascot as he looks a strong stayer. If he can get out in front early, he may be able to dictate a strong pace that will suit.

Also keep an eye on the Richard Fahey runner SUPPLICANT. Fahey only ever sends out horses with a genuine chance of winning, so although this son of KYLLACHY was beaten in third last time out, he was staying on strongly at the end and his trainer clearly feels that he is up to this level.

SELECTIONS: 2. ANTICIPATED, 4. BEN HALL, 11. HAIKBIDIAC & 21. SUPPLICANT

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