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 (S1) (Wally Pyrah & David Duggan)

S1-1 Queen Anne Stakes (Wally Pyrah)

The Queen Anne Stakes over a straight 1,600m, provides a fitting curtain raiser for the start of the five-day Royal Ascot Festival. The winner of this contest will rightfully be crowned ‘Champion of the World’ over 1,600m and have his or her name written in the history books forever. ABLE FRIEND – the second-rated horse according to the official ratings, represents Hong Kong, and would be the second winner to represent the country if he could follow in the footsteps of LITTLE BRIDGE who won the King’s Stand Stakes back in 2012. John Moore’s beautiful looking gelding has won 11 of his 16 starts including a six-timer this season, involving four G1’s. His devastating change of pace when Joao Moreira presses the button can be awesome, but this is a different venue – has won all his races at Sha Tin – and it remains to be seen whether he can cope with the long-distance travel, and a race where the tempo will be quick from start to finish.

Representing France is the rapidly improving SOLOW who has a recent race record of 9 wins from his last 10 starts. Trainer Freddie Head’s imposing grey five-year-old produced one of the best performances seen so far this season when destroying his rivals including G1 Irish Champion Stakes and G1 Prix du Jockey Club winner THE GREY GATSBY in the G1 Dubai Turf over 1,800m at Meydan in March. He subsequently won the 1,850m G1 Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp in May as a warm-up for this event, and will line-up with plenty of confidence behind him.

The home defence (UK) will be led by last season’s G1 2000 Guineas Stakes (1,600m) winner NIGHT OF THUNDER who was the only horse ever to defeat the subsequent world’s highest rated three-year-old KINGMAN. When NIGHT OF THUNDER won his seasonal first up race – the G1 Lockinge Stakes over 1,600m at Newbury last month, that was the 14th G1 success to emerge from horses that had run in the G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket the previous May. Trainer Richard Hannon junior won this race for the first time with TORONADO last year. The Hannon family as a whole, have won the race three times.

UK Champion jockey Richard Hughes is very confident that NIGHT OF THUNDER’s stablemate TOORMORE will run a huge race in this contest. Hughes was of the belief that the negative barrier draw and the horse not being 100% contributed to his narrow defeat by NIGHT OF THUNDER in the G1 Lockinge Stakes, and expects there to be very little between them now. Remember this horse was third in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over 1,600m, and was a G1 winner as a two-year-old. He is a very solid performer who has proven form at the track.

For anyone looking for a long-shot to include in Quinella wagers, the Andre Fabre filly ESOTERIQUE could be the one. This consistent mare was in need of the race when third on her seasonal appearance in a G2 event over 1,600m at Saint Cloud on heavy ground last month. Last season’s victories included a success over the G1 Prix Rothschild winner MISS FRANCE at Deauville over 1,600m in August, and more importantly a G3 win over 1,800m at Newmarket last May on Good to Firm conditions.

SELECTIONS: 6. SOLOW, 5. NIGHT OF THUNDER, 1. ABLE FRIEND & 7. TOORMORE

S1-2 Coventry Stakes (David Duggan)

A large field of much touted Juvenile will face the starter for a race that invariably produces very high class horses. Jim Bolger introduced likely favourite for ROUND TWO. The colt won over a stiff 1,200m in good fashion at Naas. Any doubt that he lacked speed was dismissed when dropped to 1,000m at the Curragh on his next outing and he duly won again in even more impressive fashion. Clearly a very smart performer, he was purchased by Godolphin and remains a very exciting prospect.

AIR FORCE BLUE represents Ballydoyle here and these connections have a very good record in this race. Only raced once he took a while to warm up but nevertheless got there in the end at the Curragh over 1,200m, he remains open to further improvement.

Wesley Ward travels a big team to Royal Ascot and FINNEGAN is the one to consider from this top American stable. FINNEGAN was most impressive when winning at Pimlico over 1,000m in great style, he does look all speed and perhaps this stiff 1,200m may tax him.

William Haggas has made no secret of the regard he has for WAR DEPARTMENT, he could not have been more impressive when winning on debut over 1,200m at Leicester. Despite being slowly away he quickly made up ground and won with authority. He could well develop into a very smart colt and will take plenty of beating in this valuable race.

Richard Hannon’s pair of AGE OF EMPIRE and ELTEZAM should be watched too, preference would be for AGE OF EMPIRE who impressed when winning at York over 1,200m.

SELECTIONS: 17. WAR DEPARTMENT, 14. ROUND TWO, 1. AIR FORCE BLUE & 8. FINNEGAN

S1-3 King’s Stand Stakes (Wally Pyrah)

Ten sprinters have won two running’s of the King’s Stand Stakes, but no horse in the history of the race has won it three times. SOLE POWER, the dominant force over 1,000m sprints in Europe for the past three seasons, will attempt to become the first horse to complete a hat-trick, having won back in 2013 and 2014. This evergreen eight-year-old showed the light still burned brightly when winning the G1 Al Quoz Sprint over 1,000m at Meydan in March, and then seemed in need of the run when unplaced over 1,200m – has never won over that distance – at the Curragh last month. If the continued good weather in the UK produces quick ground, it’s very hard to see him being out of the frame.

There will be plenty of confidence behind the William Haggas-trained MUTHMIR who gained his high reputation with hugely impressive victory in the Class 2 Handicap at York over 1,200m last season, and then subsequently winning the Class 2 highly-competitive Handicap over 1,100m at Doncaster in September. On that occasion he stumbled from the barriers, had his run interrupted at the 200m mark, but still managed to get up and win, and break the course record in the process. His recent success over 1,000m in a G2 event at Chantilly in France suggests he is a horse who is progressing fast, and it shouldn’t be long before he post’s a G1 victory.

MECCA’S ANGEL is another who is improving quickly – won six out of her last seven races – and her track-record success in a G3 race at Chantilly last month, with rivals HOT STREAK (3rd), MAAREK (4th), SPIRIT QUARTZ (6th), PEARL SECRET (8th) and SIGNS OF BLESSING (11th) is as good as any form on view. She is however, best on an easy surface, and if the ground rides quick she will have to hope the stiff uphill finish at Ascot will compensate for her disadvantage.

G FORCE seems equally effective at 1,000m or 1,200m, and the stiff uphill finish at Ascot will be arguably his ideal distance. He was unfortunate in the G2 Temple Stakes at Haydock over 1,000m last month, when badly hampered when travelling smoothly behind the leaders and can be rated much better than the form. His running style similar to SOLE POWER, and he will need luck, but is clearly talented.

It’s interesting to note that 7 of the last 12 winners were trained outside Britain and Ireland, and that statistic would be more compelling but for SOLE POWER just beating SHEA SHEA in 2013. International sprint raiders have been the dominant force for a number of year’s especially horses trained in Australia – TAKEOVER TARGET (2006), MISS ANDRETTI (2007), and SCENIC BLAST (2009) are all previous winners of this race, and this time they are represented by SHAMAL WIND who showed an impressive turn of finishing pace to win the G1 Oakleigh Plate over 1,100m at Caulfield in February. On that occasion he always looked the winner, despite travelling at back of the field, and that performance was as good as any seen this year. It is an obvious pointer that connections quickly booked Ryan Moore to ride after that race, and this is a horse who is always at his best after a long break.

A long-shot to keep an eye on is talented filly WIND FIRE who finished third in the 2013 Norfolk Stakes at the Royal meeting. She performed with plenty of credit as a three-year-old in sprints last year, and was close to winning last month’s G2 Temple Stakes at Haydock but for meeting desperate trouble in running in the latter stages of the race. Her trainer has always been adamant that she will be better on fast ground, and the stiff 1,000m trip will play to her strengths.

SELECTIONS: 18. SHAMAL WIND, 8. MUTHMIR, 12. SOLE POWER & 19. WIND FIRE

DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (18 unit bets):
S1-3: Banker – 12. SOLE POWER
          Selections – 18. SHAMAL WIND, 8. MUTHMIR, 19. WIND FIRE & 1. G FORCE
S1-4: Banker – 4. GLENEAGLES
          Selections – 3. CONSORT, 6. MAKE BELIEVE & 2. BELARDO

S1-4 St James's Palace Stakes (David Duggan)

This race completely revolves around the dual guineas winner GLENEAGLES who but for a disqualification in France would actually be a four time G1 winner. GLENEAGLES made his seasonal debut in the G1 2000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket and racing on what was the favoured stand side picked up the running over 200 metres out and quickened away from a decent field of horses. Things did not go as smoothly in his next run at the Curragh in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas, he had to challenge late when the gaps were not appearing but in the end the result was the same and he remains undefeated this term. It will be a surprise really if GLENEAGLES does not outclass the opposition and continues on his winning ways.

Master French Trainer Andre Fabre will run MAKE BELIEVE, this twice-raced colt won a G1 in France in May and looks one of the principal dangers, he will be prepared to the minute for this task and remains open to further improvement.

A bigger danger could come from the Sir Michael Stoute trained CONSORT who remains unbeaten. CONSORT won at Listed level over 1,613m recently at Sandown Park in great style, suggesting further improvement is very likely. This stable have a great record at Royal Ascot and the fact he has this target would indicate a big run is expected.

Of the others BELARDO may prove best, he disappointed at Newbury on his seasonal debut, but ran much better at the Curragh in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas when fourth to GLENEAGLES.

SELECTIONS: 4. GLENEAGLES, 3. CONSORT, 6. MAKE BELIEVE & 2. BELARDO

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

This looks an ideal opportunity for RAY WARD to compensate supporters for a desperately unlucky defeat in this race last year. Trainer David Simcock’s gelding was badly hampered turning into the home stretch and despite running on well in the closing stages he was unable to make up the lost ground in time. He was subsequently again out of luck, when runner-up in a Handicap over 4,200m at Goodwood last July, when a leg bandage came loose in the closing stages and probably cost him the race. This could be a matter of finally being ‘third time lucky’.

It’s interesting that jockey Richard Hughes has been engaged to ride FUN MAC, who won a Class 3 2,800m contest at Salisbury in May. This is a horse who has a ‘touch of class’ about him, and looks far better than his present rating. If Hughes – who is a past master at this – can conserve his stamina in the early stages of the race, he looks sure to play a major role in the event.

Champion Irish jumps trainer Willie Mullins is always to be feared in long-distance flat races, and he won this race back in 2012 with SIMENON and Ryan Moore aboard. He saddles two runners here, and both can be given first-rate chances. Eight-year-old CLONDAW WARRIOR, who won the prestigious November Handicap over 3,000m at Leopardstown last October, warmed up for this event when finishing 3rd out of 22 in a hot 4,000m handicap hurdle at Punchestown last month. The booking of Ryan Moore for the horse is significant. Stablemate DIGEANTA found the early tempo too slow when a one-paced fourth to SANG TIGER over 3,400m at Leopardstown earlier this month. He has plenty of stamina in his pedigree and will appreciate this 4,000m trip.

Lightly-raced LYCIDAS has won three times from eight starts and appears to get better the further he travels. There was lots to like about his winning performance in a Class 3 Handicap over 3,280m at York last month, where he was noted to be staying on very strongly in the closing stages of the race. He could prove dangerous.

Keep an eye on BROXBOURNE who is trained by champion jumps trainer Nicky Henderson,who always earmarks horses for this event, and last won this race with VEILED in 2011. The six-year-old gelding, who has won four times on the flat, was runner-up in a 4,294m hurdle event at Cheltenham in April, and the booking of jockey Jamie Spencer is a positive.

Others that make the short-list include Irish challenger ASBURY BOSS, who looks like he will be in peak condition after a recent run. Frankie Dettori’s mount SHWAIMAN, and ELISHPOUR, a market move for this horse on the odds board, would be significant.

SELECTIONS: 12. RAY WARD, 14. CLONDAW WARRIOR, 3. FUN MAC & 11. LYCIDAS

S1-6 Windsor Castle Stakes (David Duggan)

As is often the case a huge field of Juveniles will line up for this race, and luck in running will invariably play a big part in proceedings. American Wesley Ward has enjoyed Royal Ascot success before in this race and he brings the very speedy and likely favourite RUBY NOTION over to England to take her chance. RUBY NOTION made a very impressive debut at Churchill Downs winning in great style over a distance just short of 1,000m, she quickened clear in the closing stages to win by almost four lengths and it will be no surprise to see her go close here.

Richard Hughes has chosen to ride ORVAR ahead of the other Hannon contenders in this race. ORVAR despite showing inexperience, won well at Salisbury over 1,000m, and will have learnt a lot from that experience. Improvement is very likely and his chance is obvious.

ARD SAN AER comes here after winning at Leopardstown in Ireland over 1,200m albeit on heavy ground. He too can be considered.

Aidan O’Brien relies on WASHINGTON DC who has been campaigned exclusively over 1,000m, he was a good second to ROUND TWO on his last start at the Curragh and a good show earlier in the day from ROUND TWO would be a further pointer to his chance.

Clive Cox has a very interesting runner here in the shape of SOAPY AITKEN and this unbeaten colt could be the surprise packet in the race. SOAPY AITKEN made a winning debut at Leicester over 1,000m and followed up with a win at Windsor over 1,009m in a small field of three. Cox marked this race for the horse immediately after the Windsor win and if he continues to improve he could surprise a few of these.

SELECTIONS: 18. SOAPY AITKEN, 12. ORVAR, 21. WASHINGTON DC & 26. RUBY NOTION



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

S1-1 Queen Anne Stakes

SELECTIONS: 6. SOLOW, 1. ABLE FRIEND, 5. NIGHT OF THUNDER & 7. TOORMORE

S1-2 Coventry Stakes

SELECTIONS: 14. ROUND TWO, 8. FINNEGAN, 17. WAR DEPARTMENT, 5. BURATINO & 7. ELTEZAM

S1-3 King's Stand Stakes

SELECTIONS: 8. MUTHMIR, 12. SOLE POWER, 18. SHAMAL WIND, 17. MECCA’S ANGEL & 1. G FORCE

S1-4 St James's Palace Stakes

SELECTIONS: 4. GLENEAGLES, 6. MAKE BELIEVE, 3. CONSORT & 5. LATHARNACH

S1-5 Ascot Stakes (Handicap)

SELECTIONS: 14. CLONDAW WARRIOR, 12. RAY WARD, 20. DIGEANTA, 3. FUN MAC & 11. LYCIDAS

S1-6 Windsor Castle Stakes

SELECTIONS: 20. STEADY PACE, 18. SOAPY AITKEN, 12. ORVAR, 3. ARD SAN AER & 21. WASHINGTON DC

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