Royal Ascot: rest of day 1

Quite apart from the Queen Anne, Royal Ascot today stages two more Group One races, the King´s Stand over 5 furlongs at 16.,40 CET and the St. James´s Palace for 3yo´s over a mile at 17.20. The latter event has only 6 runners, but they include the winner of the English and Irish 2,000 Guineas Gleneagles (Aidan O´Btrien/ Ryan Moofre) and of the French equivalent Make Believe (André Fabre/ Olivier Peslier). They are on that form the two best 3yo milers in Europe, but the very lightly-raced Consort (Sir Michael Stoute/ Frankie Dettori), moving up dramatically in grade, could be a danger, while the other 3 look well held. This is going to be a tactical affair, but Gleneagles had quite a hard race in Ireland and possibly the French horse will prove superior.

The KIng´s Stand has been won for the past 2 years by Sole Power (Eddie Lynam/ Richard Hughes) who is now going for an unprecented hat-trick. Everything has to fall right here, but conditions are in his favour and we think he can do it. He is certainly the best European 5 furlong horse of recent years. The Australians are always dangerous in these sprints, so the mare Shamal Wind (R Smerdon/ Ryan Moore) must be considered, but her form does not look as strong as that of some of their other raiders. Mecca´s Angel (Michael Dods/ Paul Mulrennan) looks a champion sprinter in waiting, but we feel that she needs softer ground to show her best form, while G Force (David O´Meara/ Pat Smullen) is possibly better over 6 furlongs. Very tricky as the run of the race will be decisive, but we shall stick with the proven CD specialist Sole Power.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Solow - Able Friend - Night Of Thunder
2. Race: Round Two - Finnegan - Air Force Blue
3. Race: Sole Power - Muthmir - Mecca`s Angel
4. Race: Gleneagles - Make Believe - Consort
5. Race: Ray Ward - Clondaw Warrior - Fun Mac
6. Race: Washington Dc - Soapy Aitken - Orvar