Ascot opens doors

The royal racecourse at Ascot opens its doors today for the 2008 flat season with a strong card. Main feature is the Group Three Sagaro Stakes over 2 miles at 16.55 CET, an early Gold Cup trial. Connections of 9yo Distinction Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore)are still hoping for another crack at the big race of the Royal meeting, in which case he has to beat Soapy Danger (Mark Johnston/ Joe Fanning). The latter, who won the Queens Vase over this CD in 2006, later suffered an injury, but was back to form in a minor event at Doncaster last time out. The listed Paradise Stakes over a mile at 16.20 also has runners, who are hipoing for Group One succss later on, notably Cesare (James Fanshawe/ Jamie Spencer), who was a Group Two winner over this CD last July. However Royal Oath (John Gosden/ Jimmy Fortune), who was 1 1/4 lengths behind him then, now reopposes n 7lbs better terns, so there should be little in it today. The listed Pavilion Stakes for 3yo´s over 6 furlongs at 17.30 shpould go to Peter Chapple-Hyam, who saddles two runners Fat Boy (Frankie Dettori) and Spirit of Sharjah (Alan Munro); on Newmarket running, Frankie´s mount must be preferred, while seasonal debutant Tajdeef (Barry and Richard Hills) looks the biggest threat.