the lull before the storm

Royal Ascot starts tomorrow,so obviously very llttle will happen today, with 4 low level meetings - Carlisle and Kempton (a.w.) this afternoon, and Warwick and Windsor this evening.
28 races today, and only one of them is better than a class 4 handicap, and that is the listed Warwickshire Oaks for four-year-old and older fillies and mares at 19.50 CET at Warwick. Shirocco Star (Hughie Morrison/ Kieren Fallon) is the obvious favourite here, having finished runner-up 5 times in top races last year, including the Oaks itself and the Irish equivalent. As the name suggests, she is a daughter of the German Derby winner Shirocco, and that makes us a little wary - as 11 furlongs on this fast ground may not be ideal for her; the same goes for second favourite Gallipot (John Gosden/ William Buick), so we prefer the two Godolphin runners- Dark Orchid (Silvestre de Sousa) and La Arenosa (Harry Bentley), both of which switched to Saeed bin Suroor from Andre Fabre The stable is in top form, and although jockey bookings suggest otherwise, we will take a chance on La Arenosa, who is out of an Acatenango mare and therefore likely to appreciate the going.
Also at Warwick, we like Taquka (Ralph Beckett/ Jim Crowley) in the 2yo maiden at 20.20, and the same trainer also has a couple of good chances this afternoon at Kempton: Pearl Bridge (Jamie Spencer) in the 3yo handicap at 16.00 and Poyle Thomas (Seb Sanders) in the maiden at 17.00, although Nellie Forbush (Andrew Balding/ Liam Keniry) looks a big danger in the latter event.
Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes rarely leave the Windsor evening meetings without a winner or two, and they can land a double on Speed the Plough in the 2yo maiden at 129.35 and Authoritarian in the mile handicap at 21.05. The 6 furlongs handicap here at 20.35 is the toughest race of the day and there is apparently a gamble on Blue Jack (Stuart Williams/ Graham Lee); he certainly has a lot in his favour, but we would not like to take a short price about anything in this tricky event and at the likely odds prefer Novellen Lad (Willie Musson/ Ted Durcan).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Rowlestone Lad - Jewelled Dagger - Picalily
2. Race: Dancheur - Wicked Wench - Fanrouge
3. Race: Taquka - Yellow Lady - Dancing Juice
4. Race: Shirocco Star - Dark Orchid - Gallipot
5. Race: Spanish Plume - Mr Lando - The Great Gabrial
6. Race: Boots And Spurs - Accession - Postscript