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16:20 Ascot
The St James’ Palace Stakes Group 1, for the three year old colts features on day one of the royal meeting.
Phoenix Of Spain looks likely to head the market. The impressive winner of the Irish 2000 Guineas has obviously done well from two to three and took that classic in good style. If there is even a small amount of improvement to come, he should account for his previous two rivals in Too Darn Hot and Skardu,
Too Darn Hot has had a slightly troubled start to the season. Last years standout two year old failed to make the English Guineas, and made his seasonal debut in the Dante. He ran a credible race behind Telecaster (poor Derby run) that day, and then reappeared quite quickly in the Irish Guineas. He ran respectably again without ever really looking like winning, and subsequently was said to have had a flu vaccine prior to that run. Whatever possible excuses this horse may have had, he is evidently beatable.
Aiden O’Brien has a trio of runners, but all seemingly have outside chances, which is unusual for this setup. Circus Maximus, blinkered for the first time, looks to be the first string. This will be his third run over a different trip this seasons, and the blinkers will need to a have an effect.
Skardu has done nothing wrong so far, placed in two Guineas and maybe inconvenienced by the draw in the English version. But he was beaten fair and square at the Curragh but has work to do to reverse that form
King Of Comedy looks to be an emerging talent and he is the selection. It’s hard to imagine that last autumn one could contemplate this horse finishing in front of Too Darn Hot. Horses develop at different rates though and this horse is gathering momentum. His latest victory in the listed Heron Stakes at Sandown, a race that looked better than the grade, was impressive. He won decisively, despite the ground looking to quick for him, beating a nice horse in Roseman (fancied later in the week). He has a little to find on official ratings, but hasn’t had that many opportunities. With conditions in his favour, he looks the value to take this contest.
KING OF COMEDY (WIN)
15:20 Thirsk Of course the lights, the glitz and the glamour will all seep from Ascot this week as today sees the opening day of their five day Royal meeting but we head up North for today’s best bet where a six furlong sprint at Thirsk where bottom weight Russian Realm could put all of his poor recent efforts behind him. Obviously top weight Pennsylvania Dutch who is a course and distance winner who has won four of his last five runs will take a tonne to overturn but with 14lbs more weight on his back since he started this eye-catching sequence and he looks worthwhile taking on. The Richard Fahey trained duo of Lucky Lucky Man and Gin In The Inn demand respect and both have lively chances however it’s bottom weight Russian Realm who gets the nod. It’s true that his recent form has been mightily disappointing but this well versed sprinter has achieved far more than most. Looking through his best form and it’s worth noting he won here at Thirsk with similarly damp conditions whilst carrying a staggering 24lbs more on his back. He perhaps isn’t the force he once was however if he retains any of his old ability he’s got the opportunity to spring a surprise. RUSSIAN REALM (WIN)
ROYAL ASCOT TIPS
Rory Paddock Jersey Evening Post
ROYAL ASCOT
14:30 - Mustashry
15:05 - King Of Athens (E/W)
15:40 - Blue Point
16:20 - Fox Champion (E/W)
17:00 - Batts Rock (E/W)
17:35 - Latrobe (E/W)
Royal Ascot - Day 1 (Tuesday)
DAY 1
Dean Kilbryde East Anglian Daily Times
ROYAL ASCOT
14:30 - Laurens
15:05 - Guildsman
15:40 - Battaash
16:20 - King Of Comedy
17:00 - Couer De Lion
17:35 - Mountain Angel (E/W)
Royal Ascot - Day 1 (Tuesday)
DAY 1
Chris Connolly Norwich Evening Post
ROYAL ASCOT
14:30 - Accidental Agent (E/W)
15:05 - Threat
15:40 - Soldiers Call (E/W)
16:20 - Too Darn Hot
17:00 - Couer De Lion (E/W)
17:35 - Elarqam
Royal Ascot - Day 1 (Tuesday)
DAY 1
Luke Tucker PicksfromthePaddock.co.uk Pundit
ROYAL ASCOT
14:30 - Laurens
15:05 - Threat
15:40 - Blue Point
16:20 - Phoenix Of Spain
17:00 - Mancini (E/W)
17:35 - Addeybb (E/W)
Royal Ascot - Day 1 (Tuesday)
DAY 1
The Cambridge News – PicksfromthePaddock.co.uk:
16:20 Ascot – KING OF COMEDY (WIN)
The Jersey Evening Post – Rory Paddock:
15:20 Thirsk – RUSSIAN REALM (WIN)
East Anglian Daily Times – Dean Kilbryde:
14:30 Ascot – LAURENS (WIN)
Norwich Evening News – Chris Connolly:
14:30 Ascot – ACCIDENTAL AGENT (WIN)
Ipswich Star – Matt Polley:
14:30 Ascot – LAURENS (WIN)
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