Rib has class to spare
2.30 QUEEN ANNE STAKES GROUP ONE ONE MILE
This event looks there for the taking for RIBCHESTER because he has tackled likely second favourite Lightning spear on four occasions and finished in front every time, even slamming his old rival by more than three lengths in the Lockinge at Newbury.
That victory was achieved from the front, but he also appears happy sitting behind a strong gallop, an attribute in evidence at this meeting last year when he ran away with the Jersey stakes.
stall One makes life a little tricky as Ribchester may be trapped on the wing, but he has Godolphin-owned compatriot Dutch Connection alongside to provide cover and the front-running Kaspersky close by.
Jamie spencer was aboard Lightning spear when he won his Kempton maiden and looks a perfect partner for a horse that demands patience before being produced. he looks the chief threat to the favourite. SELECTION: Ribchester DANGER: Lightning Spear
3.05 COVENTRY STAKES GROUP TWO SIX FURLONGS
ANOTHER cosmopolitan affair, with Wesley Ward’s first runner of the week, arawak, tackling a strong British and irish contingent. Brother Bear has been a long time fancy for this race on the back of impressive successes in his native ireland, while Murillo represents connections who won this last year with Caravaggio, so he clearly deserves respect.
however, Richard hannon boasts two strong chances for the home team in the unbeaten Denaar and
DE BRUYNE HORSE who arrives on the back of a decisive epsom victory. The latter did well to win that day because he was drawn wide and did not appear in love with the track, so there could be more to come from him on this more conventional terrain.
Of those at bigger prices, aqabah and haddaf could outrun their odds given they have track experience. SELECTION: De Bruyne Horse DANGER: Aqabah
3.40 KING’S STAND STAKES GROUP ONE FIVE FURLONGS
This is a belter of a renewal and an almighty gallop is on the cards, with trail-blazers including the classy signs Of Blessing, Gracious John, Just Glamorous and Take Cover in the field. Lady aurelia is another potential pace angle if connections allow her to stride on in the manner that she did when routing her rivals in last year’s Queen Mary stakes. The american raider was ridden more conservatively on her comeback at Keeneland and it will be fascinating to see how she is ridden from stall 18.
MARSHA produced a career-best to score at Newmarket and she is drawn right among the front-runners, so should gain a good tow into the race. The only negative is her lack of ascot form, but she looks to have improved again. signs Of Blessing has thrived after dropping back to the minimum trip, while Goldream and ardhoomey could run well at decent prices. SELECTION: Marsha DANGER: Signs Of Blessing
4.20 ST JAMES’S PALACE STAKES GROUP ONE OLD MILE
Any fears of a stop-start gallop should be allayed by the presence of ‘second strings’ from Ballydoyle and Godolphin, which will hopefully produce a truly-run race. Churchill has established himself as a winning machine and, while a friend of the punters, his critics would suggest his performances are perfunctory rather than explosive.
That view appears a touch harsh but the 2,000 Guineas winner did enjoy the perfect trip at Newmarket, whereas
BARNEY ROY suffered all manner of misfortune before closing into second. Only a length separated the duo at the line, despite Barney Roy stumbling, then finding his passage blocked by Churchill’s wandering stablemate Lancaster Bomber.
Richard hannon’s colt may be a different proposition today and he can utilise his raking stride granted a clearer run to turn the tables on Churchill. SELECTION: Barney Roy DANGER: Churchill
5.00 ASCOT STAKES HANDICAP TWO AND HALF MILES
Given the roll call of national Hunt trainers to have landed this prize, it is surprising that Alan King’s name doesn’t feature. The Barbury Castle handler could put that statistic to bed today courtesy of WHO DARES WINS who appears to have an outstanding chance of making up for a defeat in the Chester Cup, when events did not pan out as King would have liked.
in fairness to regular rider Tom Marquand, he could not be blamed for the defeat because his mount was not quick enough to take advantage of a gap when it manifested itself at a crucial stage. Hopefully today the racing gods will look a little more favourably on the selection, who has the ability to trouble Thomas Hobson and Beyond Conceit, both of whom are feared given their profiles and respective connections. SELECTION: Who Dares Wins DANGER: Beyond Conceit
5.35 WINDSOR CASTLE LISTED FIVE FURLONGS
Winners at 100- 1, 33- 1, 20- 1 and 16- 1 have adorned this race in the past decade, so confidence in DECLARATION OF PEACE must be tempered by the huge field and competitive nature of a tough finale for punters.
That said, in the selection’s two races to date he has looked like he needs a frantic gallop because on both occasions his rivals weren’t able to go quick enough for him to settle. Although beaten first time at navan, the son of War Front was undone by inexperience and he looked closer to the finished article last time at Dundalk.
Wesley Ward has found this race a happy hunting ground, so elizabeth Darcy and nootka sound are respected, while Another Batt was a couple of places behind Declaration of peace in ireland and impressed at ripon last time. SELECTION: Declaration of peace DANGER: Another Batt