Baaeed
(Picture: Getty Images)In Platinum Jubilee year, the Queen can enjoy the majestic Baaeed in the opening race of Royal Ascot, which begins on Tuesday.
Unbeaten in seven career starts, he was sensational in the Lockinge on his return, and it would be astounding if he were to be beaten in the Queen Anne Stakes (2.30pm), for which he will go off as a hot 1-4 favourite.
William Haggas’s charge is tactically versatile, straightforward and possibly the best horse in the world. It will be fast ground this week — and Baaeed will be fine. He settles, cruises through his races and finds for pressure.
The Coventry (3.05pm) sees Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien split up his big mounts between Ryan Moore and Frankie Dettori. Moore probably has the best one in Blackbeard, who is unbeaten and powerful.
Persian Force, from Richard Hannon’s yard, might have their measure. He bolted up at Newbury but marginal preference is for Blackbeard. O’Brien excels in this race.
The King’s Stand Stakes (3.40pm) brings international flavour to Royal Ascot.
American raider Golden Pal will likely try to go gate to wire for trainer Wesley Ward, but it is a straight five furlongs and those tactics will be difficult. He has run well on his travels here before, but this is a desperately hard track at which to dictate over the minimum trip.
Australian superstar Nature Strip is expected to go off as the favourite.
Ireland is not known for its sprinters but Mooniesta represents each-way value. This filly ran a blinder in the Commonwealth Cup last year when heavy ground and six furlongs found her out. She might just go close now.
Tuesday’s showpiece race, the St James’s Palace Stakes (4.20pm), revolves around the favourite, Coroebus. There remains a doubt about the value of the form of his 2000 Guineas win, when he showed how much he loves Newmarket.
The third in that race, Luxembourg, is surely more of a middle-distance horse, while runner-up Native Trail was not impressive at the Curragh when winning the Irish version of the race on his next start. Aikhal is interesting at the prices.
He was not a million miles off the favourite as a two-year-old and should only improve at three for Ballydoyle on what will be his first appearance of the season. Usually, an O’Brien runner would be much shorter here.
The Ascot Stakes (5pm) is an anomalous test, in that none of these horses are bred for a distance like this. Stamina is very much unproven for the two who dominate the betting, both trained by powerhouse Irish National Hunt men — Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott. Perhaps Pied Piper, trained by the latter, will last it out. He has seemed a real two-miler jumping and has lots of class. Mullins, meanwhile, saddles the well-fancied Bring On The Night.
The Wolferton (5.35pm) is one of the tightest heats of the day. It is not a huge field but the favourite is set to go off as big as 7-1. Juan Elcano is one to note. Kevin Ryan’s charge seems to have improved year to year. He finished last of three on his Sandown return but there was no shame in that. He is perfect for this trip.
It will be interesting to see what the market makes of Cleveland in the Copper House Stakes (6.10pm). He was not hammered by the handicapper following his Chester Cup win and is unexposed.
Joseph O’Brien, son of fellow trainer Aiden, has a really intriguing runner in Okita Soushi. This son of Galileo looks progressive and appears to be stamina-laden.
Royal Ascot Day 1 Tips:
2.30: Baaeed 1-5
3.05: Blackbeard3-1
3.40: Mooniesta 18-1
4.20: Aikhal 25-1
5.00: Pied Piper 4-1
5.35: Juan Elcano 7-1
6.10: Okita Soushi 9-1
