No meeting on the planet can top this week
ITV’S chief presenter reveals exactly where his money is going in a feast of racing this week
Like nowhere else, is how Royal Ascot describes itself, and I wholeheartedly agree. No other race meeting in Britain or worldwide has this blend of pomp, ceremony, pageantry, fashion, and top-class racing.
Where else do you get this amount of sustained sporting excellence for five full days? We have all 30 races live on the main ITV channel and, like the Gold Cup on Thursday, it all adds up to the ultimate staying test for a presenter. I cannot wait.
Day One
In the first race, the Queen Anne Stakes, Ribchester is rightly the banker of the day for many, and we have got round two to savour with Churchill up against Barney Roy in the St James’s Palace Stakes. But my bet of the day is Marsha in the King’s Stand, a brilliant mare who I do not think gets the credit she deserves. She won at Newmarket at the Craven meeting, giving weight away to all her opponents and took the big sprint at Chantilly on Arc day.
Day Two
I am going for a Hail Mary tomorrow in the Royal Hunt Cup, and that is Bossy Guest each-way at 33-1. He once finished fourth in the 2,000 Guineas, so has plenty of class, and was sixth in this race off a higher mark last year. He flew home up the rail in eye-catching fashion in the Victoria Cup at Ascot last month and the extra furlong will definitely help. I was at Mick Channon’s stable last week and the horse is in great order.
Day Three
Sir Michael Stoute has a great chance of winning the Ribblesdale with Mori. She is by Frankel out of Midday, who was one of my all-time favourites, and you cannot really get better breeding than that. She looked good at Goodwood last time, winning the Height of Fashion Stakes, and you can guarantee that she will improve. Sir Michael is on 75 Royal Ascot winners, level at the top of the table with Sir Henry Cecil.
Day Four
The Commonwealth Cup is a head-to-head clash between the powerhouses of Coolmore and Godolphin and I think the mighty Caravaggio will come out on top. I was lucky enough to go to Ballydoyle last September and I sensed then that Caravaggio was something very special. His was the one box that Aidan O’brien made a point of taking me in. He won the Coventry here last year when everything was against him and has shown that he is ready this season by scoring easily at Naas. He could be the best horse we see this week.
Day Five
On the final day, I am very keen on Tasleet (left) in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes. He landed the Duke of York in really impressive fashion, despite a bit of trouble in running. William Haggas is a master with horses like this and I would say he is overpriced at 12-1. As for the Gold Cup, it is very hard to oppose Order Of St George. No matter what unfolds, it should be five magnificent days here and we hope that fans old as well as new enjoy this unique racing and fashion spectacle.