Royal Ascot 2024 Ante-Post Preview Day 1

[StevieDay1983]

Hi everyone! Apologies that this is being posted slightly later than planned. A few edits were required after changes to the 6-day declarations. I am posting this on behalf of @The Brigadier who is currently off celebrating his wedding anniversary. Here is the ante-post preview for day 1 of Royal Ascot 2024 with his early picks ahead of the festival. Be sure to check out his Royal Ascot tips on each day of the festival to find out who he is tipping to win. Here are his ante-post thoughts for day one...

Royal Ascot Day 1 Ante-Post Tips Preview

Royal Ascot not only brings with it the glitz and glamour of fashion but most importantly some of the best horses, not only in the UK but from around the world and stands alone as the biggest flat meeting of the season. 

Day one is traditionally the strongest of the five-day meeting with three Group 1’s in the shape of the Queen Anne Stakes, King Charles III Stakes and the St James’s Palace Stakes alongside the Group 2 Coventry Stakes, two handicaps and a listed contest.

Below is an early ante-post look at each race split into three sections of the favourite, dark horse and outsider picks.

14:30: Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) 1M  4yo+

The meeting begins with one of the key one-mile Group 1’s for older horses run in Europe and was first run in 1840 to commemorate Queen Anne who established racing at Ascot. 

The two current trainers with the best record are Aidan O’Brien and the Hannon stable although the most successful trainer with 7 winners is Saeed Bin Suroor.

Favourite

Facteur Cheval (J Reynier, France) 5 y o gelding: Last seen in March winning the Dubai Turf over 9F at Meydan when a 20/1 chance. Ideally wants some rain to ease the ground. Maxine Guyon will ride.

Charyn (Roger Varian) 4 y o colt: Taken his form to another level this season winning the listed race at Doncaster and the Group 2 bet365 Mile at Sandown. Ran best of the main protagonists in the Lockinge, which is always the best guide to this race, when 1 3/4L runner up to the forcibly ridden Audience with Inspiral some way behind.

Big Rock (Maurizio Guarnieri, France) 4 y o colt: Sensational 6L winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day in the mud last October but flopped on his re-appearance in the Lockinge on good ground. Can run better but ideally would need the heavens to open and the ground to change to soft.

Dark Horse

Dolayli (F-H Graffard, France) 5 y o gelding: The consistent sort who won three times on synthetic surfaces earlier this year and placed in two French Group races since. Only his eleventh-ever start and may have further improvement to come.

Outsider

Royal Scotsman (Paul & Oliver Cole) 4 y o colt: Bounced back to form with an impressive victory in Group 3 Diomed Stakes at Epsom’s Derby meeting and if able to reproduce that run could make his presence felt.

Selection

Big Rock

 

15:05: Coventry Stakes (Group 2) 6F 2yo

The most valuable two-year-old contest run at Royal Ascot and the most prestigious so far this season for the juveniles.  Aidan O’Brien has won the race ten times, whilst a trainer to keep an eye on is Archie Watson who has only had five runners in the race finishing 03120.

Favourite

Camille Pissarro (Aidan O’Brien) 2 y o colt: Easy winner at Navan on his debut but went down by a head to Arizona Blue when a well-backed odds-on favourite in Group 3 Marble Hill Stakes at The Curragh a month later. Trainer has won this race three times in the last 8 years.

Cowardofthecountry (Joseph O’Brien) 2 y o colt: Impressed on debut when beating subsequent winner Whistlejack (and current Norfolk favourite) by 2 1/2L. That came on very soft ground so will have to prove himself if the ground remains fast.

Al Qudra (Charlie Appleby) 2 y o colt: Impressive winner of a moderate Lingfield novice Stakes at the beginning of the month although his two previous defeats would suggest he may not be up to the usual standard of the winners of this race.

Dark Horse

Catalyse (Richard Fahey) 2 y o colt: One of many horses brought for the meeting by Wathnan Racing. Proved it was money well spent when a comfortable 2L winner of Hamilton Novice Stakes at the beginning of the month. A much stiffer task here but literally could be anything and the stable has been in stunning form.

Outsider

Ingot (John & Thady Gosden) 2 y o colt: Was expected on racecourse debut at Kempton on the all-weather in May but fell short to a 28-1 newcomer. That was over 7F and the drop to 6F could prove a good move for leading connections.

Selection

Catalyse (e/w)

 

15:45: King Charles III Stakes (Group 1) 5F 3yo+

The fastest race of the week with the winning time likely to dip under sixty seconds.

The race was formerly known as the King's Stand and runs under its new name for the first time in 2024. The race usually has an international feel about it with recent winners coming from as far afield as America and Australia.

Favourite

Big Evs (Mick Appleby) 3 y o colt: Very speedy juvenile who ended his first season winning the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Santa Anita in California. Made a winning re-appearance in lesser company at York under a penalty and looks likely to put up a bold showing.

Regional (Ed Bethell) 6 y o gelding: Improved plenty last season culminating in a Group 1 success in Haydock’s Sprint Cup in September. Plenty to like about his seasonal re-appearance when runner-up in Group 2 at The Curragh in May and should be thereabouts.

Believing (George Boughey) 4 y o filly: Appeared to relish the drop to the minimum trip at Haydock in listed race earlier this month when an impressive winner by 2 3/4L from Comanche Falls. Only 3/4L behind Regional at Haydock in the Sprint Cup last September and can run well.

Dark Horse

Crimson Advocate (John & Thady Gosden) 3 y o filly: Very lightly raced three-year-old who won the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at last year’s meeting when in the care of George Weaver in America. A recent win at Gulfstream Park in Florida proved she’s trained on and is now in the ownership of Wathnan Racing and trained by the Gosden’s at Newmarket. Interesting runner.

Outsider

Diligent Harry (Clive Cox) 6 y o gelding: Not far off the best of these on official ratings but has done the majority of his racing over a furlong further than today recently. Speedy though and the drop in trip may actually suit this strong traveller.

Selection

Regional

16:25: St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1) 1M 3yo colts

Established in 1834 it will often feature a clash of the British, French and Irish 2000 Guineas. Classic winners have an excellent record in the race having won sixteen of the last 24 renewals.

Aidan O’Brien is the most successful trainer having bagged nine victories in total and the race normally falls to one at the top of the market with nine of the last 10 winners coming from the first three in the market.

Favourite

Notable Speech (Charlie Appleby) 3 y o colt: The highest rated in the race, he kept his unbeaten tag when completing a four-timer in winning the 2000 Guineas in good style from Rosallion. May still have an improvement in him and will be very hard to beat as long as the ground remains good.

Rosallion (Richard Hannon) 3 y o colt: Has 1 1/2L to make up on Notable Speech on 2000 Guineas form but has gone on and won the Irish 2000 Guineas since at The Curragh by a head from stable mate Haatem. Wouldn’t want the ground to soften and should run well if turning up here though may struggle to beat Notable Speech.

Henry Longfellow (Aidan O’Brien) 3 y o colt: Smart two-year-old who progressed from winning a Curragh maiden to winning the Group 1 National Stakes at the same track in the autumn. Went off favourite for the French 2000 Guineas when disappointing in finishing eight (of 13) and has questions to answer now.

Dark Horse

Darlinghurst (J Reynier, France) 3 y o colt: A winner of all four of his starts this season, three on synthetic surfaces and a Group 3 at Chantilly in May. Hard to assess but has that winning feeling.

Outsider

Almaqam (Ed Walker) 3 y o colt: Steps up in grade having won a Yarmouth maiden in April and the listed Heron Stakes at Sandown the following month by 3 3/4L from Kikkuli in the mud. A likeable type who won’t disgrace himself if turning up here.

Selection

Notable Speech (NAP)

17:05: Ascot Stakes (Handicap) 2M 4F 4yo+

First run in 1839 this handicap is run over the Gold Cup distance and has been dominated by jumps trainers in recent years with eight of the last 10 winners being trained by trainers holding dual licenses.

Only two favourites have won in the past 20 years (both trained by Willie Mullins) although the winner can usually be found in the top half a dozen in the betting.

Favourite

My Lyla (Willie Mullins) 5 y o gelding: Willie Mullins has an excellent record in the race and one of his two entries this year is My Lyla for whom Ryan Moore is already jocked up. Has winning form over shorter in France and just had the one run for Mullins when beaten a nose in a Killarney novice hurdle in mid-May. Hard to assess but has to be considered due to connections.

Pied Piper (Gordon Elliot) 6 y o gelding: Last seen on the level when runner-up in the Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket last October, going down by 3/4L to The Shunter. Run well twice since over hurdles, latterly when third in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham. Jamie Spencer is likely to ride.

Zanndabad (Mrs C O’Leary) 5 y o gelding: Last seen when third in Chester Cup when trained by Tony Martin. Has changed stables since and is 2lb higher in weight.

Dark Horse

The Shunter (Emmet Mullins) 11 y o gelding: The veteran of the field showed he still retains plenty of ability when defeating Pied Piper in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket last October. Pulled out on the morning of the Chester Cup due to the fast ground so could do with some showers. James Doyle already jocked up.

Outsider

Intellotto (Joseph O’Brien) 4 y o gelding: Lightly raced and may have got in lightly. Smart hurdler who won twice and finished fourth at Aintree to Sir Gino. Broke maiden at Sligo in a maiden in May comfortably at odds of 4/9 over 10 1/2F and steps up considerably in distance. Stays 2M over hurdles so should be ok at this trip.

Selection

Intellotto (each way)

 

17:40: Wolferton Stakes (listed) 1M 2F 4yo+

First run in 2002 the race has only been run in its current format since 2018 having previously been a listed handicap. Newmarket-based stables have an excellent record in the race having plundered five of the last six runnings since becoming a listed conditions race.

The last three winners have all been a double figure price with just the one favourite scoring in the last decade.

Favourite

Alflaila (Owen Burrows) 5 y o colt: The highest rated in the field although hasn’t been seen since last September. Has a great record fresh mind you of 111 and if turning up here would be a major player. Owners retained jockey Jim Crowley is however jocked up on the owner’s other runner Israr so possibility that he will be going elsewhere.

Israr (John & Thady Gosden) 5 y o colt: Has been running well in better company than this notably last time when run down late by the promising Passenger in Group 2 Huxley Stakes at Chester. Well treated at these weights and would be on any shortlist.

Dark Horse

Botanical (Roger Varian) 4 y o gelding: Steps into listed company having been an impressive winner of 1M 2 1/2F class 2 handicap at York in May. Still lightly raced and not far off the best of these on ratings. William Buick booked and is a player.

Outsider

Torito (John & Thady Gosden) 4 y o gelding: Has been bought by Wathnan Racing since last seen which came when a credible third in a Newmarket class 2 handicap in early May. Only 11lb off the highest rated and looks a lively outsider.

Selection

Botanical

 

18:15: Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap) 1M 6F 4yo+

This will only be the fourth running of one of the newest races at the fixture. Newmarket stables filled the first three places in the first two runnings, but Yorkshire handler David O’Meara took it in 2022 and Irish maestro Willie Mullins had a one-two last year.

Favourite

Belloccio (Willie Mullins) 6 y o gelding: Willie Mullins had a one-two in this race last year and his number one from three entries appears to be Belloccio. Formerly trained by Davi Menusier he made an impressive debut for Mullins when running away with a maiden hurdle at Punchestown in May. An obvious player with William Buick already booked.

Fox Journey (Sir Michael Stoute) 4 y o colt: Pushed up 9lb for an emphatic eleven-length success on his re-appearance at Newmarket in May but still maybe ahead of his mark for a trainer that has such a good record at the meeting. Ryan Moore is already booked and is a major player.

Dark Horse

Fairbanks (Andrew Balding) 4 y o gelding: In terrific form currently having won four of his last six starts and went down by only half a length in a decent class 3 1M 5F handicap at Hamilton last time. Oisin Murphy is likely to ride and solid each-way claims.

Outsider

My Mate Mozzie (Gavin Cromwell) 8 y o gelding: A smart hurdler and chaser who was last seen on the level when running away with a maiden at Tramore almost a year ago. Not badly treated on the flat in comparison to hurdles and chase mark and trainer is always to be feared when bringing one over.

Lmay (John & Thady Gosden) 4 y o filly: Makes her handicap debut for big connections and could be interesting off of a handicap mark of 96. Her best run came on soft ground so any rain would be welcomed for Kieran Shoemark’s mount.

Selection

Fox Journey (N.B.)

Final Thoughts on Royal Ascot Day 1

A cracking day’s racing is in store for us all to enjoy and please remember to gamble responsibly.

A recap of my selections:

14:30 Inspiral (if good or faster), Big Rock (if soft ground)

15:05 Catalyse (each way)

15:45 Regional

16:25 Notable Speech (NAP)

17:05 Intellotto (each way)

17:40 Botanical

18:15 Fox Journey (N.B.)

Remember to check back with Punters Lounge for all the updates throughout the five days. Keep an eye on this forum to see the ante-post previews for the other four days of racing. 

[richard-westwood]

I'll stick stuff in here to avoid creating another thread ?

Coventry stakes 

Fransicos piece.  8.9 12.0

Camille pisarro. 8.7. 6.2 

The actor.  8.3 

Star anthem.  8.1 

Symbol of honour. 8.1 

10pt wins top 2