Bookies braced for Rib blow

TIPS: Ideal opportunity for punters to make good start at Royal Ascot

RIBCHESTER can get favouritebackers off to a perfect start by landing the opening event at Royal Ascot, the Queen Anne Stakes.

A winner at the meeting last year in the Jersey Stakes, he went on to prove himself one of the best milers in Europe when successful in the Prix Jacques le Marois.

His best effort might have been narrowly failing to reel in Minding in the QEII, but he has returned this year better than ever.

Richard Fahey sent him to Dubai but he just failed to see out nine furlongs in the Dubai Turf, beaten a length by the Japanese horse Vivlos.

In the Lockinge at Newbury, though, Ribchester looked in a different league to his rivals.

Although his pacemaker Toscanini could not get to the front, he dictated matters under William Buick to win by nearly four lengths.

This is likely to be the fastest going he has run on, but he will get the ground in the best possible shape and can enhance his reputation.

NEBO could surprise a few highlytouted rivals in the Coventry Stakes for Charlie Hills and champion jockey Jim Crowley.

A really impressive winner on his debut, he was immediately put away with this race in mind.

The form of his maiden could not have worked out any better. The second, sixth, seventh and even the 13th horse home have since won, with several others going close.

We will not get rich by backing Churchill so it is worth giving BARNEY ROY a chance in the St James’s Palace Stakes.

Meanwhile, MECCA’S SPIRIT is an interesting newcomer in the opener at Thirsk, having cost 120,000 guineas for the Mecca’s Angel connections. SELECTIONS ROYAL ASCOT: 2.30 RIBCHESTER (NAP), 3.05 Nebo, 3.40 Marsha, 4.20 Barney Roy, 5.00 Beyond Conceit, 5.35 Declarationofpeace.

THIRSK: 2.10 Mecca’s Spirit, 2.45 Windforpower, 3.20 Time’s Arrow, 3.55 Seamster, 4.35 Desert Way, 5.10 Akdaar, 5.45 Kirkham.

DOUBLE: Ribchester and Marsha.