First run in 1840, this race commemorates the monarch who established racing at Ascot. Run over the straight mile, the race is a Group One contest for horses aged four years and older. Godolphin are the most successful owners in the race with eight victories (7 of which were trained by Saeed Bin Suroor). Favourites have a good record in the race winning 8 of the last 12 renewals. Check out my top Ascot tips for this opening race on day one of Royal Ascot.
Angel Bleu
Trainer: Ralph Beckett
Jockey: Hector Crouch
Back to winning form in listed company at Haydock races last time out on good to soft ground. His best form over the years has been with plenty of dig in the ground and could only really be considered here if the heavens were to open.
Berkshire Shadow
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Won the Coventry Stakes here as a two-year-old two years ago. A dual winner on the all-weather this spring prior to a career-best 2 1/2L third in the Lockinge at Newbury won by the re-opposing Modern Games at 33/1. 6th at the meeting in the St James Palace last year and will need a career best to trouble the judge today.
Cash
Trainer: David Simcock
Jockey: Tom Marquand
Lightly raced four-year-old who may have more improvement in him on only his sixth-ever start. Yet to race in grade as high as this mind and has plenty to find on form.
Chindit
Trainer: Richard Hannon
Jockey: Pat Dobbs
Shown improved form this season, winning a listed contest over course and distance last month on re-appearance from Cash and produced a monster performance 17 days later when finishing second to Modern Games in the Lockinge where he attempted to take a chunk out of jockey William Buick as he went past!
Light Infantry
Trainer: David Simcock
Jockey: Jamie Spencer
7th in Lockinge, beaten some 3 3/4L behind Modern Games and stepped up on that effort when just touched off in a Group 1 in France won by Anmaat. Each way claims at best although seems best with some dig in the ground.
Lusail
Trainer: Richard Hannon
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Best ever run came at this meeting last year when, as a three-year-old, he went down by a head to Coroebus in the St James’ Palace Stakes. O from 6 in Group One level mind and was another to finish behind (3 1/2L) Modern Games in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.
Modern Games
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: William Buick
Superbly consistent four-year-old who’s won five Grade/Group Ones in four different countries including the last two Breeders Cups. Impressed when winning the Lockinge at Newbury races in May with several of these behind. Sure to make a bold bid to take this and with fitness on his side looks the one they all have to beat.
Mutasaabeq
Trainer: Charlie Hills
Jockey: Jim Crowley
Best ever run came on re-appearance at Newmarket racecourse in May when making all to beat Native Trail 3L giving him weight. Ran well in 5th in Lockinge some 3L behind Modern Games and as the pace angle here has a good each-way chance.
Native Trail
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: James Doyle
Runner up in last season’s 2000 Guineas to the late stable mate Coroebus and followed that up by taking the Irish 2000 Guineas the following month. May have needed the run on re-appearance (stable under a cloud at the time as well) when 3L second to Mutasaabeq. Sure to have benefited from that and can run well although William Buick has chosen Modern Games.
Pogo
Trainer: Charlie Hills
Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
Group 2 Newmarket winner last Autumn but has been on his travels since in America, Riyadh and Dubai. O from 2 at the highest level and hard to see him working the judge today.
Triple Time
Trainer: Kevin Ryan
Jockey: Nial Callan
Not seen since October last year (was pulled out on the morning of Lockinge with a vet’s certificate). Group 3 winner at Haydock last September and this represents a big step up in class.
Inspiral
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
The only filly in the field. Absent since last October but goes very well fresh and has won the first time out the last two seasons. Impressive when taking the Coronation Stakes at last year’s meeting over this distance on the round course. Only rated a pound behind Modern Games on official ratings and according to connections has been working well recently. A major player.
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Queen Anne Stakes Betting Tips
There are many good matchups at this year’s meeting none more so than in the Queen Anne Stakes between Modern Games and Inspiral.
With the Charlie Appleby horses back in form this looks an ideal spot for their Modern Games to follow up his impressive Lockinge Stakes victory at Newbury last month when he had several of these behind him. His main danger will surely be the Gosden filly Inspiral who goes well fresh and can push Modern Games all the way. The other Appleby runner Native Trail looks booked for third place.
1. Modern Games @ 2/1 with William Hill promo code
2. Inspiral @ 2/1 with Bet365 bonus code
3. Native Trail @ 7/1 with William Hill
All odds are accurate at time of writing.
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