MANY people believe in calm before the storm.
But with Royal Ascot just three days away and rain set to ease temperatures, racing fans can reverse the saying and look forward to five days of the best sport on planet earth.
The mixture of world class racing and pageantry gives Royal Ascot a unique feel that no country in the world can match.
Quite simply it’s the best of the best on track, with everyone trying to show they are the best of the best off the track. And all five days are live on ITV.
Speaking of terrestrial telly, I’ll be in the Social Stable on ITV with Chris Hughes, once of Love Island fame, and we will do our best to show Ascot is not just for posh people who like horse racing but for everyone and those with a passing interest in the Sport of Kings.
Of course what happens on the course is the most important thing, so here are some clashes and races to savour…
Queen Anne
Defending champion Accidental Agent is a big price here considering he was a thoroughly decent third on his comeback in the Lockinge at Newbury. Has ground to make up on Mustashry but conditions of this race are ideal once again.
King’s Stand
A monster smash up between class act Battaash and Blue Point, who is in outstanding form.
Battaash is not consistent, but at his best there are few sprinters that have been better, and that includes the likes of Dayjur. Throw in some foreign challengers and it’s a right good event.
St James’s Palace Stakes
All eyes on the Classic crop here, with brilliant Irish 2000 Guineas hero Phoenix of Spain arguably the one to beat.
Interestingly Circus Maximus could run for Aidan O’Brien, although it's hard to think he'll be quick enough after his strong staying effort at Chester before the Derby.
Fox Champion is improving all the time, while King of Comedy could be anything for John Gosden. Skardu has solid place claims after a third in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and fourth in Ireland, and I suspect he’s better than we have seen since the Craven.
Prince of Wales’s
Arguably the highlight of the fixture. Brilliant fillies Magical and Sea of Class – the Arc runner-up – head the markets, with King George runner-up Crystal Ocean having every chance for Sir Michael Stoute and Frankie Dettori. Then there is Masar, the 2018 Derby hero who returns from injury, and rising star Zabeel Prince. It’s an absolute belter.
Ascot Gold Cup
The 2018 hero Stradivarius will surely be hard to beat, for all that he does not have an outstanding rating for a Gold Cup hero.
Dee Ex Bee is of interest as a Derby runner-up and now Sagaro Stakes victor, but I have a feeling Stradivarius has more speed and stamina than him. Cross Counter was brilliant for Godolphin in the Melbourne Cup but has to prove he can get two and a half miles.
Commonwealth Cup
Always a good race, for all that it should not exist!
Ten Sovereigns will be all the rage as he drops in trip after a fifth in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. He’s a huge colt with so much talent and as a Middle Park hero will take some stopping. Don’t ignore Jash, although he struggled over seven furlongs first time this term, or Advertise, should he run in this.
Coronation Stakes
Dual 1000 Guineas heroine Hermosa will take a lot of beating and looks a banker on the card for Aidan O’Brien. I can’t see anything beating her and struggle to understand how she is not odds-on. Lump on.
Diamond Jubilee
Invincible Army was impressive at York last time for James Tate and is getting better and better. However, I want to take him on in this despite some excellent track form.
The Tin Man is primed to go again and has strong place claims, as does City Light, who is a classy French raider. The 2018 runner-up has a great chance to hit the frame as he was awful leaving the stalls last year. With a clean break he would have probably defeated Merchant Navy. City Light will be finishing off powerfully once again after a fine prep for this.
So simply sit back and enjoy a marvellous week of sport. ITV will bring you all the atmosphere on and off the course.
We are all set for some fantastic action. Win, lose or draw it’s a special time of year. A time when racing is the winner.
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