HOBSON THE MAIN CHOICE

Mullins set to strike

THOMAS HOBSON (5.00) can carry the headlines in the Ascot Stakes this afternoon.

Although the seven-year-old hasn’t run on the Flat since 2013, having been gelded and transferred to Willie Mullins’ jumping yard, he has won four out of seven starts on the level.

Mullins knows a thing or two about sending hurdlers out to snatch big prizes on the Flat.

The Irish champion jumps trainer has won this two-and-a-half mile race twice before with Simenon in 2012 and two years ago with Clondaw Warrior.

Ryan Moore was on board both times and rides Thomas Hobson, who is the best bet of the day.

The meeting starts with the international-flavoured Queen Anne Stakes over a mile. While Ribchester will be hard to beat, the two US starters, American Patriot and MISS TEMPLE CITY (2.30) should not be overlooked.

Both are Grade One winners in the States and the ground will suit.

American Patriot got up to win the Maker’s 46 Mile Stakes at Keeneland in April for Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Todd Pletcher, while Miss Temple City won both the Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes and the Matriarch Stakes last year.

Trainer Graham Motion brought Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom over for the race in 2013, but only finished 11th of 13. Five yearold Miss Temple City, however, is worth an each-way wager.

Jessica Harrington is a dualpurpose trainer who can gain a major prize with BROTHER BEAR (3.05) in the Coventry Stakes.

Impressive on both his two starts, the first was on good to firm ground, while the second was a Curragh Listed race and where he beat a decent field.

American trainer Wesley Ward should start the meeting with a double, including a Group One victory with LADY AURELIA (3.40), who will be hard to catch in the King’s Stand Stakes.

The muscular speedster won the Queen Mary Stakes at Ascot last year, and with Frankie Dettori again in the saddle, can prove too fast for her rivals, headed by Aidan O’Brien’s Washington DC.

CHURCHILL (4.20) is the banker of the opening day in the St James’s Palace Stakes. The Qipco 2,000 and Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas winner should be far too good for his seven rivals.

Ward can pounce with the speedy NOOTKA SOUND (5.35) in the Windsor Castle Stakes.

HERE’S your fun way to pick the winner of today’s Group One St James’s Palace Stakes. describes the chance of each horse, along with its likely odds. STAYING POWER: Thomas Hobson can slay his rivals in the Ascot Stakes