2.30 QUEEN ANNE STAKES
The International week starts off with a major bang with the top star of the meeting ,Animal Kingdom, going in the first race . Should have way too much class for this field which is been seen as a very weak Queen Anne.
Hopefully Declaration Of War can regain something like his best and run a proper race,unlike he did in the Lockinge.
Animal Kingdom 4/6 (9/4 Ante Post)
Declaration Of War 7/1 ew
Plus forecast
3.05 KINGS STAND STAKES
Another race to throw up a global star.. Shea Shea demolished some of these on his last run in Meydan. Group one winner in both his native South Africa and before mentioned Meydan. Don't see why he can't add England to that list.
Shamexpress is another horse that is a group one winner down under and has to be taken seriously. My ew selection in the race is Reckless Abandon tho, wasn't fully 100% when running well last time out and reportedly firing on all cylinders for tomorrow.
Shea Shea 2/1
Reckless Abandon 6/1 ew
3.45 ST JAMES'S PALACE STAKES
This race has all the qualities of been the race of the week. The English and Irish 2,000 guineas winners clash . Dawn Approach vs Magician .. Aidan O Brien has already shown that he can get Dawn Approach out of his stride as he did in the Epsom Derby two weeks ago. This will be harder to do this time as master trainer Jim Bolger has put group 3 winner Leitir Mor in as pace maker for Dawn Approach. In my opinion and hopefully this works, for Magician to win he's going to either go with the pace set by Leitir Mor or he's going to have to take the pace setting duties himself and hope to out stay them .
Magician 9/4
4.25 COVENTRY STAKES
One of the most fascinating races of the week for me. The Coventry is nearly always won by a horse that has gone on to be a star and I see this renewal to just be the same . Stubbs heads the market for this race but it's his stablemate that will be my selection. Sir John Hawkins,had been waiting for him to make his debut ever since he was named and he definitely didn't disappoint. He's superbly bred (Henrythenavigator x Peeping Fawn ). Classic winners in both parents. He's already my ante post bet for the 2014 2,000 at 20/1 and I expect that price to be a lot shorter come 4.27 on Tuesday.
Sir John Hawkins 13/2 - NAP ( ante post 12/1 ew)
5.00 ASCOT STAKES
Justification was unlucky last time out in my opinion and with a clear run should go very close .
Homeric is my each way selection
Justification 13/2
Homeric 10/1 ew
5.35 WINDSOR CASTLE STAKES
Another race that could be packed full of superstars. I've gone for two each way selections in this race as I think there is lots of value to be had in it . First up is Sacha Park . Really can't see why he is double figures in the market especially after his last run behind Stubbs(fav for Coventry) in the listed race at Naas and since then the third in that race has bolted in .. Second selection is really an unknown. Coming from the USA , Ogermeister, trained by Wesley Wars who is no stranger to Royal Ascot having won this race in the past with a very similar bred type . Hopefully stays dry so Ogermeister can run his race.
Sacha Park 14/1 ew NB
Ogermeister 7/1 ew
Thanks for taking the time to read my thoughts and feel free to comment on any of my selections. And good luck if your having a punt this week .
Thanks :)
