Racing Lee's Royal Ascot Day 1 Tips

Tough contest to kick off the meeting, the Group One Queen Anne on the straight mile. I’m taking the French raided Facteur Cheval to get back-to-back Group One wins. He won the Dubai Turf at Meydan back in March, travelling strongly at the furlong pole and assertive at the line over one-mile-one. He beat a whole host of good horses that day on good ground, and I think he’s more adaptable that he’s been pencilled in for in the past (often ran on softer).

His last five runs have come in Grade One company, with two third places, two second places and that Group One Meydan win. He’s a solid performer, and with doubts about ground or stable form for a few of these, he’s taken to come out on top.

With the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket working out very well, it’s no wonder Notable Speech leads the early market. But, I’m happy to take the runner-up in that race to reverse the form. Inisher was in sixth that day and won the Group Two Sandy Lane on his next run. The eighth, Ten Bob Tony, ran forth in the German 2000 Guineas. And the ninth in the Guineas was no less than City Of Troy, who won the Derby in impressive fashion.

The second and third was the above mentioned, Rosallion, and his stablemate Hattem who then went on to run in the Irish 2000 Guineas filling the first and second spots. That showed the selections metal when he was trapped out wide and no cover, and had to concede first run to Hattem, but was able to power home with a brilliant turn of foot to win it at the line.

I think the tables can be turned from Newmarket, having proven himself again at the top table, and it’s Rosallion for the win.

Big Evs looks a worthy favourite, having given weight and a beating on seasonal debut but it may be worth chancing Twilight Calls, who’s a consistent enough sort, whose Ascot form reads 2-2-4. He’s mixed it between handicaps and group company, but he’s got a second in the Group One King’s Stand at this meeting to his name, behind the Aussie star Nature Strip. And, he was staying on fourth in this race last year, having not had the clearest of runs.

He was fourth beaten three-quarters of a length on seasonal return at Newmarket in the Group Three Palace House. With both Kerdos and Mithbathy in behind both winning group races since, the form is working out.

He may be over-priced, in what looks a competitive field.