IT’S showtime!
Yes, Royal Ascot 2019 is here and you will get all the information you need for a cracking week with Sun Racing.
It’s going to be a busy one for this scribe, with an Opening Show every morning at 9am on ITV4, before every race is brought to you on the main ITV network.
Horses, trainers and jockeys have come from all over the world to run at Ascot, and it’s simply an international week of hardcore racing action.
I’ll be here every day to give you a selection in each race. They won’t all win, but keep the faith as this column had a great time the last couple of years. Remember it’s a marathon not a sprint.
Tuesday kicks off with the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes over a mile at 2.30pm. I don’t think the milers are a great bunch and there’s every chance last year’s hero ACCIDENTAL AGENT can get in the mix again for Eve Johnson Houghton.
His third behind Mustashry in the Lockinge was a fabulous run first time and he doesn’t need to improve much to get placed here. Back him each-way.
Next is the Group 2 Coventry over six furlongs for juveniles at 3.05pm. Obviously a bit of a guessing game, but ARIZONA looked an absolute class act for Aidan O’Brien at the Curragh last time and may well take all the beating.
The big sprint is at 3.40pm with the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes over five furlongs. I have no doubt in my mind BATTAASH is the best horse in the field and if he brings his A game he’s going to take all the beating.
He came back with a fabulous win at Haydock and while he’s not always consistent at Ascot, he ran well here last year when getting worked up. I’m hoping the Charlie Hills runner has calmed down now.
It’s all class at 4.20pm with the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes over a mile. There’s been a big move for Too Darn Hot of late, but I think this rests with SKARDU, who was third in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and fourth in the equivalent in Ireland.
For various reasons I think he’s better than that form and he’s a cracking each-way wager for William Haggas and the excellent James Doyle.
If stamina is your thing you will love the Ascot Stakes over nearly two and a half miles at 5.00pm. COEUR DE LION is not an easy horse to win on and is 2lb higher than when a staying on sixth in this event last term.
However, his jockey now takes 5lb off, and he does stay strong and is in good form for Alan King. He’s got place claims at the very least against a load of jumps horses who might love going on the Flat or might not!
And finally the Listed Wolferton Stakes over nearly a mile and a quarter at 5.35pm. ADDEYBB was a real eye catcher at Chester and with a bit of juice in the ground has massive place claims for Willian Haggas.
I love this horse and I still don’t think we have seen the best of him.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas!
