Expert - Bill Esdaile
Bill Esdaile has worked in racing journalism in the United Kingdom for over 20 years. He began his working career at the Sporting Life back in 1995, and has since worked for the Racing Post, The Sportsman, and is currently racing editor of London-based City AM. He is a keen form student, and will bring a unique insight into the major European races.

 

 

Expert Column for Queen Anne Stakes Day (S1) (Bill Esdaile)

 

S1-1     Queen Anne Stakes
CHARYN has proven a model of consistency this season and he holds strong claims of securing his third win of the year in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes over 1,600m, the opening race of Royal Ascot. The Roger Varian-trained 4YO won the Listed Doncaster Mile Stakes over 1,600m on his return ahead of securing the biggest victory of his career in the G2 Sandown Mile Stakes over 1,600m, before finishing second in the G1 Lockinge Stakes over 1,600m at Newbury. He ran well at the meeting last year when third in the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes over 1,600m, with the only negative for him being the lack of rain.

 

FACTEUR CHEVAL has been kept fresh for this race since winning the G1 Dubai Turf over 1,800m at Meydan in March. The Jerome Reynier-trained gelding finished second behind BIG ROCK in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over 1,600m on his previous visit to the track, but he arrives in this race in much better form than that rival. His jockey Maxime Guyon also has previous experience of winning this race after steering SOLOW to glory in 2015.

 

AUDIENCE made a winning reappearance for the second year running when securing a surprise success in the G1 Lockinge Stakes over 1,600m. The victory was a big step forwards on all of his previous form and suggests he might have turned a corner. There could be more to come from the John and Thady Gosden-trained gelding, with this being only his second start over 1,600m.

 

ROYAL SCOTSMAN will be making his third appearance at the meeting after contesting the G2 Coventry Stakes over 1,200m in 2022 and the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes over 1,600m last year. The switch to front running tactics worked well for the GLENEAGLES colt in the G3 Diomed Stakes over 1,703m at Epsom earlier this month and if getting loose up front again, he could take some catching.

 

MALJOOM was an unlucky loser at Royal Ascot when finishing fourth in the 2022 G1 St James’s Palace Stakes. The William Haggas trained 5YO is likely to strip much fitter than on his comeback third in the Listed Paradise Stakes over 1,600m at Ascot last month. The son of CARAVAGGIO could still have more to offer on what will only be his seventh start.

 

SELECTIONS: 5. CHARYN, 8. FACTEUR CHEVAL, 1. AUDIENCE, 13. ROYAL SCOTSMAN & 11. MALJOOM

 

1ST DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-1: Multiple – 5. CHARYN & 8. FACTEUR CHEVAL
S1-2: Multiple – 22. YAH MO BE THERE & 9. COWARDOFTHECOUNTY

 

S1-2     Coventry Stakes
One of the most exciting races of the week is the G2 1,200m Coventry Stakes.

 

It’s fast and furious pulling together the most precocious 2YO colts in training. Two of those could come from what looked a very hot 1,200m 2YO Novice Stakes at York, where ANDESITE just got the better of YAH MO BE THERE. Both making their racecourse debut, they were locked in a duel to the line in the final 200m, where despite nosing ahead, YAH MO BE THERE was denied by ANDESITE.

 

ANDESITE showed a good attitude to get his head back in front, though there’s still very little to separate them and both should take a good step forward. The pair of them pulled well clear of the chasing pack and look like high-class juveniles. YAH MO BE THERE showed plenty of inexperience that day and may just be the value to reverse that form.

 

Aidan O’Brien, who has had an unprecedented 10 winners of this race, saddles what looks another useful prospect in CAMILLE PISSARRO. The son of WOOTTON BASSETT made an impressive debut winning over 1,165m at Navan before stepping up to finish a close second in the G3 1,200m Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh last time. He lost little in defeat that day and is sure to improve plenty for that experience.

 

Aidan’s son Joseph O’Brien saddles COWARDOFTHECOUNTY who created a really striking impression on his debut, winning over this 1,200m distance on much softer ground at the Curragh. This physically big son of KODI BEAR has a reputation and beat some well-regarded types with the minimum of fuss. He has to prove equally as effective on a very different surface but has plenty of potential star quality and has to be high on any shortlist.

 

The very nature of the race makes it hard to narrow down such a wide-open looking field to just five, but the final vote goes to COOL HOOF LUKE who will be a massive price.  He managed to overcome a slow start and plenty of traffic problems to win on his debut over this 1200m distance at Chelmsford earlier in the month. The form would be well below what is required to win here but he showed a really tough attitude to get himself out of trouble and the stable caused a shock in this back in 2021.

 

SELECTIONS: 22. YAH MO BE THERE, 9. COWARDOFTHECOUNTY, 5. CAMILLE PISSARRO, 2. ANDESITE, & 8. COOL HOOF LUKE

 

2ND DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-2: Multiple – 22. YAH MO BE THERE & 9. COWARDOFTHECOUNTY
S1-3: Multiple – 12. BIG EVS & 9. BELIEVING

 

1ST DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-2:   
Banker – 22. YAH MO BE THERE
Selections – 9. COWARDOFTHECOUNTY, 5. CAMILLE PISSARRO, 2. ANDESITE, & 8. COOL HOOF LUKE
S1-3:   
Banker – 12. BIG EVS
Selections – 9. BELIEVING, 4. KERDOS, 7. TWILIGHT CALLS & 8. ASFOORA

 

S1-3     King Charles III Stakes
Only one favourite has won this 1,000m G1 sprint in the last 10 years, but BIG EVS, was an exceptional 2YO and ground the top American speedballs into submission in the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint over 1,000m in Santa Anita last November. Admittedly, he was soundly beaten on his one run against older horses in last year’s G1 Nunthorpe Stakes over 1,000m at York, but his hard race at Goodwood over 1,000m previously might have taken the edge off him. Ascot is a much stiffer track than Santa Anita, but there are no worries there as BIG EVS won the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes over 1,000m at last year’s Royal meeting on only his second outing. The son of BLUE POINT is all speed and having looked as good as ever when winning on his reappearance at York over 1,000m last month, he has now got his perfect fast ground.

 

Connections blamed the soft ground for BELIEVING’s flop in Hong Kong in April over 1,200m, but she bounced back over 1,000m at Haydock, albeit in lesser grade. With the ground again perfect, George Boughey’s improving filly could be a major player for her in-form stable now that she is back over the minimum trip.

 

KERDOS, whose sire PROFITABLE also won this race in 2016, has improved plenty since being beaten a neck in a 1000m handicap here 12 months ago. He subsequently won impressively in Listed grade at Beverley over 1,000m, but Clive Cox has always maintained that he would be better this year and he justified that claim when winning the G2 Temple Stakes at Haydock over 1,000m last month. KERDOS had earlier been desperately unlucky in the G3 Palace House Stakes over 1,000m at Newmarket where he might have won had he been granted a clear run.

 

The Aussie sprinters have a great record at this prestigious fixture and ASFOORA, an eight times winner, probably slightly under-performed at Haydock. He will be sharper for that first run but would have liked more rain.

 

TWILIGHT CALLS, runner-up to Aussie flyer NATURE STRIP in this race two years ago, and an unlucky fourth last season, is frustrating in that he has to be held up, so invariably gets caught up in traffic problems. However, he is another who will enjoy the quicker ground.

 

SELECTIONS: 12. BIG EVS, 9. BELIEVING, 4. KERDOS, 7. TWILIGHT CALLS & 8. ASFOORA

 

3RD DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-3: Multiple – 12. BIG EVS & 9. BELIEVING
S1-4: Multiple – 6. NOTABLE SPEECH & 7. ROSALLION

 

S1-4     St James's Palace Stakes
The final G1 of the day, the St James’s Palace Stakes over 1,600m, is very hotly contested with the winners of the English, Irish and French 2000 Guineas all taking each other on.

 

The unbeaten NOTABLE SPEECH makes his return to the track after his emphatic win at Newmarket last time out in the G1 2000 Guineas and looks the pick of the bunch. Charlie Appleby’s colt showed that the transition to turf was no issue as he quickened up impressively to win the first Classic of the season after being the backmarker 600m out. That deadly turn of foot should stand him in good stead again, and under William Buick he looks sure to go well.

 

ROSALLION, however, will be looking to reverse the form with the favourite, having come up just short when the pair last met at Newmarket. Despite going down there, Richard Hannon’s charge bounced back to win at the Curragh in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas over 1,600m last month, winning despite plenty going wrong for him in the race. Should he bring his A-game, he can go close and has a chance of reversing the form with NOTABLE SPEECH.

 

Aidan O’Brien saddles HENRY LONGFELLOW who will be looking to get back in the winners’ circle after a disappointing run in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains at ParisLongchamp over 1,600m last month on his seasonal return. Despite the result, that step-up in trip will have given him some experience over 1,600m and if there’s one thing we’ve learnt of late, it’s not to write off an O’Brien runner after a disappointing run.

 

DARLINGHURST enters G1 company for the first time for Jerome Reynier. Last time out, the DARK ANGEL colt breezed past the winning post in Chantilly over 1,800m to make it four wins on the bounce with jockey Christophe Soumillon back in the saddle, but he has still got plenty to prove.

 

The final selection comes in the form of ALYANAABI for Owen Burrows, who faced off against the big boys with a decent fifth at Newmarket in the G1 2000 Guineas when trying 1,600m for the first time. Burrows and jockey Jim Crowley will be hoping for some improvement here from the 3YO and he could easily sneak into the money.

 

SELECTIONS: 6. NOTABLE SPEECH, 7. ROSALLION, 4. HENRY LONGFELLOW, 3. DARLINGHURST & 2. ALYANAABI

 

4TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-4: Multiple – 6. NOTABLE SPEECH & 7. ROSALLION
S1-5: Multiple – 10. ZANNDABAD & 7. TRITONIC

 

2ND DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-4:   
Banker – 6. NOTABLE SPEECH
Selections – 7. ROSALLION, 4. HENRY LONGFELLOW, 3. DARLINGHURST & 2. ALYANAABI
S1-5:   
Banker – 10. ZANNDABAD
Selections – 7. TRITONIC, 3. MY LYKA, 16. LAW OF THE SEA & 17. THE GRAND VISIR

 

 

 

S1-5     Ascot Stakes
This marathon handicap over 4,004m is an extreme test of stamina and it’s hardly surprising it’s often won by a predominantly Jumps trainer.

 

Irish raider ZANNDABAD hasn’t won since leaving France towards the end of 2022, but he doesn’t usually get the test of stamina he needs. He’s put in several good efforts over hurdles this year, but his Flat form is far superior. The way he ran on into third after finding trouble in the Chester Cup over 3,727m last month suggested he will be more at home on Ascot’s stiffer course. He was runner-up in a 3,853m hurdles race at this track in March and looks a major player.

 

TRITONIC is an exceptionally strong stayer. He was successful on his attempt over fences over 3,135m at Wincanton in November but there’s a good case for saying he’s even better on the Flat. His two runs when returned to the Flat on the all-weather over distances around 3,200m in April should have put him spot on for another crack at this race. He ran a fine race when third 12 months ago and he’s lower in the handicap this time.

 

Willie Mullins has won this race four times and his sole representative this year, MY LYKA, has a fascinating profile. He’s only run once for the Irish and British champion Jumps trainer, when touched off a nose in a 4,045m hurdles race at Killarney last month. He won twice from six Flat races when trained in France. His fourth behind subsequent G1 winner SIMCA MILLE in a 2,400m Chantilly G2 last year shows he has plenty of class and the step up in distance shouldn’t be a problem.

 

Dual-purpose trainer Ian Williams also has a good record in this race, having won it twice in the last five year. LAW OF THE SEA has a good record on fast ground. He finished an excellent third in a handicap over 3,727m at Chester on his return to action and the ground was too soft for him over 3,242m at Haydock last time out.

 

Stablemate THE GRAND VISIR is a Royal Ascot regular. He won this race five years ago and was eighth 12 months ago, despite missing the break, before returning four days later to finish runner-up in the Queen Alexandra Stakes.

 

SELECTIONS: 10. ZANNDABAD, 7. TRITONIC, 3. MY LYKA, 16. LAW OF THE SEA & 17. THE GRAND VISIR

 

5TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-5: Multiple – 10. ZANNDABAD & 7. TRITONIC
S1-6: Multiple – 9. ISRAR & 16. TORITO

 

TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S1-5: Multiple – 10. ZANNDABAD, 7. TRITONIC & 3. MY LYKA
S1-6: Multiple – 9. ISRAR, 16. TORITO & 5. BOTANICAL
S1-7: Multiple – 11. INTINSO, 9. FOX JOURNEY & 8. BELLOCCIO

 

S1-6     Wolferton Stakes
The Wolferton Stakes is a Listed contest over 2,005m and features established older horses and progressive youngsters.

 

There aren’t many better-bred horses running at Ascot than ISRAR, and he’s shown on the track that he’s got plenty of talent. He placed at the Royal meeting in 2022 and improved in 2023 to defeat former Derby winner ADAYAR in a G2. Since then, he has run admirably behind some smart performers, most notably on his last start when second in G2 Huxley Stakes last month and is the one to beat here.

 

TORITO is a talented horse for John & Thady Gosden who demands respect in this event. He is lightly raced for 4YO but has already shown a strong level of form in his six starts. Impressive in winning a Derby Day handicap last year, he followed that at Royal Ascot with a fine fourth in the G3 Hampton Court Stakes over 1,993m on his final 2023 start. On his 2024 seasonal bow, after a 11 months lay-off, he belied a big weight to place in a competitive Newmarket handicap and is of strong interest with race fitness now on his side.

 

If you’re looking for a progressive youngster here, then BOTANICAL is one to keep onside. Roger Varian’s contender announced himself as a horse to follow with a faultless win at Hamilton over 1,832m in October last year, before blowing his rivals away in his seasonal reappearance at York over 2,051m in May. This horse would prefer softer ground to be at his best, but he is on the up and could be good enough to run well despite the fast going.

 

OUZO is a horse who will love the quick surface. Jamie Osborne’s runner arrives here on the back of a hat-trick of firmer ground wins, one of which came at Ascot. That was over 1,600m, but his two Meydan wins since were over 1,800m and he looks ready for this step up in distance.

 

Leading Qatari trainer H A Al Jehani is yet to train a UK winner but could break his duck with HAUNTED DREAM. This horse did well to recover from a bad stumble from the stalls on his most recent start, finishing fourth in a competitive handicap. He showed a consistent level of form and looks primed to hit the frame at least.

 

SELECTIONS: 9. ISRAR, 16. TORITO, 5. BOTANICAL, 13. OUZO & 8. HAUNTED DREAM

 

6TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-6: Multiple – 9. ISRAR & 16. TORITO
S1-7: Multiple – 11. INTINSO & 9. FOX JOURNEY

 

S1-7     Copper Horse Handicap
The 2,844m Copper Horse Handicap brings the first day of Royal Ascot to a close.

 

INTINSO has had three starts already this season, winning the first on the all-weather at Wolverhampton, before running well to finish third on his next two starts at Kempton over 2,199m and Newmarket over 2,800m. That last effort was a good one on his first attempt at this trip and can be upgraded as he made most of the running against the far side rail, while the winner and runner-up raced down the centre of the track. The drying ground will suit this 4YO and he looks primed to go well from a competitive handicap mark.

 

FOX JOURNEY could not have been more impressive when winning by 11 lengths on his reappearance at Newmarket over 2,400m. This level requires more from Sir Michael Stoute’s runner. However, he looks to be open to plenty of improvement and with Ryan Moore aboard, he can’t be left out of the equation.

 

This race was won last year by leading Jumps trainer Willie Mullins and he looks to have a strong contender again with BELLOCCIO. This 6YO was formerly trained on the Flat by David Menuisier before switching to his new yard last month. His recent win over hurdles over 3,200m should have put him spot on for this race. He has won at Listed level and run with credit in Group races on the Flat in the past and is now looking well-handicapped. However, with the ground drying out he may not have his optimum conditions.

 

A PIECE OF HEAVEN is lightly raced after only seven starts and after an impressive win in a Leopardstown handicap over 2,400m last month, has switched stables to join the Joseph O’Brien yard. He’s proven at this trip and should be capable of more improvement, so looks in with a chance of a place at least.

 

ALSAKIB was a good winner over 2,392m on quick ground at Ascot last season and went on to follow that up with another win in a Newmarket handicap over 2,400m. Andrew Balding’s colt has been campaigned in Group company so far this season and wasn’t disgraced when third in the G3 Ormonde Stakes over 2,676m at Chester last time. While he runs off top-weight here, he should appreciate this return to handicap company and is capable of a good run.

 

SELECTIONS: 11. INTINSO, 9. FOX JOURNEY, 8. BELLOCCIO, 7. A PIECE OF HEAVEN & 1.ALSAKIB

 

 

 

 

 

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