Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Royal Ascot Day 1 Tips
TUESDAY RACING TIPS
Ascot 2.30 – Queen Anne Stakes
I’m going with Rosallion (5/2 fav) here.
He can step forward after a good run at Newbury when behind Lead Artist (7/2) and Dancing Gemini (6/1).
I thought this was a solid performance, but he got tired a bit late on having had a long time off the track.
The stiff mile at Ascot does suit him. I thought he was the one to take the biggest step forward.
We know Lead Artist loves this fast ground and, although Dancing Gemini handled it last time out, I wonder whether it’s lively enough for him.
I reckon the ground at Ascot will be pretty quick and Rosallion doesn’t mind it.
He obviously won at the Royal meeting last year in the St James’s Palace, so the track isn’t an issue - albeit that was round the bend and this is the straight mile.
I actually think the straight mile will suit Rosallion better because it’s a bit stiffer, and I think Rosallion is the one to beat here. It could be his biggest danger is Notable Speech (9/2), who finished pretty well in the Lockinge Stakes and is also likely to take a good step forward in terms of fitness. He is another horse who is very talented at three.
He’s had a bit of time away from the track and likes the quick ground. He’s a speedy type of horse, which makes him Rosallion’s biggest danger.
Megan’s Tip: Rosallion WIN
Ascot 3.05 – Coventry Stakes
I’m going to throw in a couple of horses that are decent prices.
Power Blue (14/1) is going to be my pick. He’s got experience and his form is very good.
He won on his debut and then finished behind an unbelievably talented filly in Lady, before finishing behind the top-class Albert Einstein.
Power Blue is underestimated at the price, and experience can be a huge help in these types of races.
I’m also going with Rock On Thunder each-way (9/1), who impressed me at Leicester. He is from the Kevin Ryan stable and was well supported on his debut.
He won nicely, though it was straightforward. He was a pretty expensive purchase and is a son of Night Of Thunder — a very talented family.
The stiff 6f here will suit.
Megan’s Tip: Power Blue WIN; Rock On Thunder EW
Ascot 3.40 – King Charles III Stakes
I’m going to stick with Believing (4/1 joint fav).
What a queen. She’s coming into this fresh and on the back of winning the Al Quoz Sprint over in Dubai.
She was unbelievably consistent last season and ran twice over at Ascot last year in the 5f and 6f distances, but the King Charles has always been the aim.
She was beaten just over a length last time behind Asfoora (4/1 joint fav).
Her training regime changed, and it appeared to have the desired effect. I thought she was really good in Dubai and the stiff 5f really suits her, though once again it is an unlucky draw.
Ryan Moore is on board her in stall one. She’ll be ridden just in behind the leaders, and I’m hoping she will be good enough and finish really well on the ground and track she enjoys.
I’m going to put up Regional (6/1) each-way, who was second in the race last year.
He had a bit of a break and then ran in the Al Quoz in Dubai to finish behind Believing. This has been the target since, and I think he will run well again.
Last season saw him lightly raced, but he’s another talented sprinter who likes this track, and the ground will cause no harm. He’s my each-way selection.
Megan’s Tip: Believing WIN; Regional EW
Ascot 4.20 – St James’s Palace Stakes
I cannot see Field Of Gold (8/11 fav) being beaten after such an impressive victory in the Irish Guineas.
He was behind Ruling Court (3/1) at Newmarket at the beginning of May when things didn’t go to plan.
I thought Colin Keane got this horse rolling early at the Curragh, and he saw the mile out well, while showing a great turn of foot.
I’m a massive fan of Ruling Court, but I do think that Field Of Gold can reverse that form from Newmarket.
It’s another great race, and the mile division for both the three-year-olds and the elders has become seriously strong over the last couple of years, which is great to see.
Henri Matisse (10/3) is in there as well, so we have got a clean sweep of all our Guineas winners from this year coming head-to-head.
This one is a fascinating race, and it’s great to see so much depth to it. Field Of Gold is the one to beat.
Megan’s Tip: Field Of Gold WIN
Ascot 5.00 – Ascot Stakes
I’m going to go with Manxman (15/2), who stays so well. He is so consistent and is just relentless.
He managed to get up at Goodwood last time. As a result, he’s gone up a couple of pounds but I don’t know where the improvement is going to stop.
We obviously saw him just touched off in the controversial Cesarewitch last year and he was unlucky not to have won that day.
It could be his day in the sun. He’s run well at the track previously, and I think the 2m4f will help him.
As an each-way option, I am throwing in Liari (18/1), who was previously trained by my dad over hurdles.
He was switched by current trainer Michael Bell to run back on the flat and won convincingly at Newmarket over the 1m6f under Kieran Shoemark. He’s not going to be able to do it quite in the same manner, but he enjoyed himself back on the flat.
I was concerned the ground would be too quick that day, but he handled it well, and there will be similar conditions here at Ascot. This could be an each-way angle.
It’s a good race — we have a Triumph Hurdle winner in Poniros (9/2) and a Chester Cup winner in East India Dock (4/1).
It is a very tight contest and a great renewal, but Manxman is my pick.
Megan’s Tip: Manxman WIN
Ascot 5.35 – Wolferton Stakes
I have gone for an each-way horse here.
I just think Enfjaar (7/2 fav) is too short, so I’ve landed on Meydaan (12/1) who was only just beaten by Liberty Lane (11/1) last time at Goodwood.
Liberty Lane likes a bit of juice in the ground and there was just about enough at Goodwood that day for him to get away with it. Meydaan was finishing nicely, and I thought that was a big effort over 10f, which seems to suit.
He likes the quick ground, and on some of his better form, I think he has a massive chance. This seems to be about his level at the Listed Grade.
He was a winner at Goodwood last season in Listed company, and I think that is about right.
He tried up in trip and I don’t think he truly stayed, so a strongly run 10f could be the way forward.
Meydaan is my each-way selection.
Megan’s Tip: Meydaan EW
Ascot 6.10 – Copper Horse Stakes
I’m going to go with Caballo De Mar (9/2), who ran seriously well when second in the Chester Cup.
While possibly a bit outstayed, he dropped back to the 2m at Haydock and got back to winning ways last time. He’s been a big improver and ultra-consistent.
The 1m6f at a stiff Ascot should really suit.
He’s still nicely weighted and should be in the 100s before too long - he is still on the up.
There are a couple of interesting Willie Mullins entrants. Charlus (4/1) does get a run with Ryan Moore on board. He was a bit of a no-show at Cheltenham in the Triumph Hurdle but was previously a decent enough horse on the level in France. He’s got to be of interest, but Caballo De Mar is my pick. I think he’s a horse with a real chance.
I’m going to give an each way selection to Jesse Evans (14/1) who has been well backed and is an interesting runner back on the flat. He had a seriously good season over jumps and the last time we saw him he won by half the track. Back on the flat I think he could be really interesting with the application of a tongue tie really helping.
Megan’s Tip: Caballo De Mar WIN; Jesse Evans EW
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation