The Neighsayers - Royal Ascot Day 1 Review

Royal Ascot Day 1 Review

Queen Anne

A perplexing start to proceedings, Soumillion and Guyon must’ve thought that same rules that apply to driving, apply to race riding, they must ride on the other side… AUDIENCE gave his familiar front running tactics and could probably pick up a race of this ilk on a different track where it favours prominent racers, Lewis tipped up DOLAYLI Antepost and was bet in from 20/1 into 9/1 and travelled as good as the winner but found little, likely caught out by the tempo, I still stand by he’s a good horse though. No hard luck stories here, MALJOOM & DOCKLANDS both ran on well from positions, I’d fancy the former to over turn the form with the latter if they met again, MALJOOM slightly short of room when both travelling. Best horse won.

Coventry Stakes

Where on earth to start here. Middle to high draws seemed to be the place to be and produced an 80/1 winner, a shock to some, but not all. Seen plenty of slips on Twitter…

The real one to take out of this for us is COWARDOFTHECOUNTY. One of the first to come under pressure but ran on well once he found his feet to finish 7th. 7 furlongs could be sharp enough for him already, which leaves him a wait to find the mile races. The G2 Golden Fleece Stakes at Leopardstown on Irish Champion weekend be the first suitable assignment, with his season likely to culminate in the old Racing Post Trophy at Donny late October. Very nice horse. Similar comments can apply to STAR ANTHEM, pushed along early and he’s likely one for the here and now and he’d likely rock up In the Vintage next at Goodwood. RASHABAR likely be a short price for the Richmond also at Goodwood, won “his side” comfortably and can probably be upgraded still.

King Charles III Stakes

No real comment on this for me, all horses seem to run their race bar maybe Rogue Lightning who missed the break and then was rushed up. The best horses came to the fore and the winner was a deserved one.

St James’ Palace

Bold claims from the Richard Hannon camp and ROSALLION being the best horse he’s ever trained and he certainly backed that up here. He showed a wicked turn of foot when the door opened and he got in the clear, chasing down the much improved HENRY LONGFELLOW and the Ballydoyle tactics. The winner could be over bet for Sussex at Goodwood, he looks ground dependant and wouldn’t be rushing to bet him currently. ALMAQAM an interesting one here, outpaced then ran on well late, leaves the impression that he wants 10F but think he’d be okay at a mile ridden handier and maybe a drop to G2 company too, maybe the Celebration Mile at Goodwood against the elders. NOTABLE SPEECH a disappointment but not sure the race was ran to suit here.

Ascot Stakes

Great race to have dedicated time to make a cup of tea while and be back before they turn for home. GET SHIRTY the eye-catcher in here for me, given a quiet ride but travelled with plenty of enthusiasm and kept finding all the way home, he’ll be Ebor bound and no doubt that’ll be his target. TEMPORIZE had a nice sighted here towards the Goodwood handicap which he won last year, the races plan themselves over these trips. NDAAWI another who’s probably Ebor bound.

Wolfreton Stakes

ISRAR a comfortable winner which is something I couldn’t have foreseen, not a huge fan of the horse. Everything did go right for him here though, as Gosden said on ITV afterward, don’t often see them come off the rail on the round course, so he had a dream trip and I agree. I was under the impression he’s “soft” so be keen to take him on next time. SAVVY VICTORY likely worth a try over 12F again now. Another race really where there was no hard luck stories. Best horse on the day won.

Copper Horse Handicap

BELLOCIO a worthy winner here for the “all-conquering Willie Mullins” god I hate that phrase. Just miles the best horse on the day. ALSAKIB is one I’ll be off a cliff with this year, probably paid slightly for being 3 wide all the way round. Conceded first run to the 3 that finished in front of him. Another one to the ever growing list of Ebor candidates, we might have the field from this blog. LMAY a tricky horse, ran very well here, doesn’t seem to do much off the bridle, could do with being played late in a big field handicap, but they’re probably black type hunting now. NAQEEB probably the “unlucky” one in here, now he’d never had troubled the judge, but he was all dressed up with nowhere to go for a furlong, genuinely. Has shown ability, is probably just a handicapper though. Could be an Old Borough Cup type at Haydock.

All in all, a great days racing where the best horses on the day won, irrespective of prices. It’s great to see a festival on quick ground, was much needed after last years horror summer and look forward to getting back at it tomorrow.