Royal Ascot gets underway on Tuesday afternoon with seven mouthwatering contests to look forward to. Will Baaeed extend his unbeaten run in the opening Queen Anne Stakes? Can the International stars stamp their authority in the feature Kings Stand Stakes? Our Racing Editor has had their say on who will be victorious on the opening day and has provided a selection to follow in each of the seven races. Check out their thoughts below, alongside an exclusive promotion courtesy of bet365, which is offering £50 In Free Bets to new customers, when you sign-up and bet £10.
BAAEED – (2.30 Ascot, Queen Anne Stakes)
Unbeaten in seven starts to date and officially rated 125, it’s impossible to see beyond BAAEED in Tuesday’s curtain-raiser. William Haggas’ high-class miler didn’t make his racecourse debut until June last year, but by the middle of October, the son of Sea The Stars had developed into an outstanding three-year-old for connections.
A comfortable winner of the Group 1 Prix du Moulin at Longchamp back in September, Baaeed produced a standout effort the following month in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot – defeating a host of established Group 1 performers, including last season’s Queen Anne winner, Palace Pier.
Returning for his 4yo campaign at Newbury in last month’s Lockinge, Baaeed made it 7 from 7 with another scintillating display over the mile trip – producing a performance that drew comparison to that of the mighty Frankel after pulling effortlessly clear of his eight toiling rivals.
Arguably one of the smartest horses currently in training anywhere in the world, Baaeed should have little difficulty in maintaining his unbeaten record on Tuesday and will be expected to comfortably justify prohibitive odds.
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BLACKBEARD – (3.05 Ascot, Coventry Stakes)
Trainer Aidan O’Brien will be looking for a tenth success in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes and whilst his expensive Kingman colt Age Of Kings was impressive when last seen in novice company at the Curragh, he’ll have to improve plenty to get the better of his stablemate BLACKBEARD, who has already registered Listed and Group 3 victories this season and appeared well suited by a step up to six furlongs when last seen.
A narrow winner on his penultimate start at the Curragh over the minimum distance, the son of No Nay Never created a taking impression on his following outing in the Group 3 Marble Hill Stakes at that same track last month. Stepped up to six furlongs for the first time on that occasion, Aidan O’Brien’s colt routed his four rivals from the front to win going away by three widening lengths – Power (2011) and Caravaggio (2016) both landed that particular Group 3 event before going on to score in the Coventry at Royal Ascot.
Given his trainer’s fantastic record in this contest, it’s no surprise to see Blackbeard towards the top of the betting and whilst he is yet to encounter fast ground, the unbeaten colt should have little trouble in adapting to quicker conditions underfoot and can take another sizeable step forward on Tuesday afternoon.
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TWILIGHT CALLS – (3.40 Ascot, King’s Stand Stakes)
This promises to be an epic renewal of the King’s Stand with the two International raiders dominating the current market. After being narrowly denied in 2015 with Brazen Beau, Australian trainer Chris Waller will be confident his sprinting star Nature Strip can provide him with a first Royal Ascot winner, whilst American sensation Golden Pal will bid to emulate Lady Aurelia’s impressive 2017 performance for trainer Wesley Ward.
Both International runners are entitled to the utmost respect, however, there is little value in their current prices and it could pay to take a chance on one at a slightly bigger price. The relentless pace upfront should benefit TWILIGHT CALLS, who appears to have his optimum conditions and is ideally birthed in stall 6.
A talented handicapper last season, Henry Candy’s progressive sprinter has taken his form to new heights as a 4yo, comfortably registering his third career victory on seasonal return at Newmarket in April before returning to the Rowley Mile with an eye-catching effort in the Group 3 Place House Stakes on his following outing. Sent off the well-supported favourite on his first start in Group company on that occasion, Henry Candy’s charge ran a mighty race in defeat from his poor draw – running on well inside the closing stages to finish fifth despite being carried noticeably wide when making his challenge.
Arguably unlucky not to finish ahead of King’s Lynn in the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock last month, the four-year-old is certainly capable of making his mark in Tuesday’s feature Group 1 contest, and with a strong pace to aim at back on preferred faster ground, Henry Candy’s charge is certainly not one to write off at the prices.
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COROEBUS – (4.20 Ascot, St James’s Palace Stakes)
Although the likes of My Prospero and Maljoom are likely to make their mark at this level in time, it will take a very smart effort to lower the colours of 2000 Guineas winner COROEBUS, who has developed into a high-class miler for trainer Charlie Appleby and is arguably unlucky not to be unbeaten.
That sole defeat came in the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket last season when narrowly beaten by Mark Johnston’s Royal Patronage after hitting the front too soon. However, the son of Dubawi has not looked back since, landing Group 3 honours in the Autumn Stakes on his final juvenile start before returning to the Rowley Mile in April with a career-best effort in the 2000 Guineas. Travelling well towards the rear of the field on that occasion, Charlie Appleby’s progressive colt quickened up stylishly inside the final furlong to defeat stablemate and subsequent Irish 2000 Guineas winner Native Trail by just under a length.
Officially rated 121, Coroebus remains open to plenty of improvement going forward and sets a clear standard for the rest of the field to aim at. The four-year-old colt can land this Group 1 contest before taking on the leading milers further down the line.
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COLTRANE – (5.00 Ascot, Ascot Stakes)
There are plenty in here that arrive with claims in some shape or form. Ian Williams’ runner Reshoun was a surprise winner of this contest twelve months ago, and whilst he won’t be anywhere near the price he was in last seasons renewal, the eight-year-old is weighted to go close now back down to a mark of 97 and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he left his recent efforts firmly behind in his follow up attempt. Whilst talented Irish hurdlers, Pied Piper and Bring On The Night will both be expected to make an immediate impact now returning to the level given their powerful connections.
However, there should be more to come over marathon trips from Andrew Balding’s COLTRANE, who has seemingly strengthened up this season and has turned a corner in his recent racecourse outings.
Despite enjoying a tremendous 3yo campaign – culminating in an authoritative win in the valuable Melrose at York, Coltrane surprisingly failed to fire in his two outings as a four-year-old last season. However, since returning this year, Andrew Balding’s charge has quickly got back on track – bumping into Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Earlofthecotswolds at Kempton before running a huge race to fill the runner-up spot behind the impressive Cleveland in the Chester Cup over the extended 2m2f trip last month.
A 3lb rise in the weights is cancelled out by Callum Hutchinson’s handy 5lb claim, and with proven form already in the book on good to firm going (2 from 2), Coltrane appears to have plenty of boxes ticked on Tuesday afternoon and can provide his in-form trainer with another recent winner.
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TASMAN BAY – (5.35 Ascot, Wolferton Stakes)
Although he will have fitness to prove ahead of his seasonal return, TASMAN BAY is well worth supporting at the current double-figure prices. Despite winning just once in his seven starts to date, the four-year-old has performed with plenty of credit in each of his outings, finding the frame against some top-class rivals during his 3yo season last year.
Third behind dual Group 1 winner Hurricane Lane on just his third racecourse appearance at Newbury last April, he lost little in defeat when chasing home the likes of Alenquer and Baaeed in his subsequent starts in Group 2 and Group 3 company at Royal Ascot and Goodwood respectively.
A respectable third when last seen in Group 2 company at Deauville, Tasman Bay drops significantly in class ahead of his return to action against Listed opposition on Tuesday afternoon, and whilst the quicker ground is a slight unknown with him, the four-year-old brings a real class angle to proceedings and could outrun his generous odds if ready to roll following his lengthy layoff.
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CLEVELAND – (6.10 Ascot, Copper Horse Stakes)
It’s difficult to see past CLEVELAND in the concluding contest on day 1. Aidan O’Brien’s well-bred colt could have taken up a number of Pattern race engagements at this year’s meeting, however, connections have decided to keep him in handicap company following his recent Chester Cup triumph in May and the four-year-old will likely take plenty of beating in search of his third career success.
Despite missing the entirety of the 2021 campaign, Cleveland was far from disgraced on his belated return at Naas following a 506-day absence. Stepped up to ten furlongs for the first time on that occasion, Aidan O’Brien’s lightly-raced colt ran a highly encouraging race to finish fifth, and whilst he was beaten over four lengths at the line, he only dropped out of contention well inside the final furlong where a lack of fitness ultimately took its toll.
Upped markedly in trip on his following start ahead of his handicap debut in the Chester Cup, Aidan O’Brien’s colt was subject to a tremendous ride by jockey Ryan Moore. Travelling ominously well throughout, the strapping son of Camelot was switched to challenge turning for home, before delivering a strong finishing effort to get up close home and deny market rival Coltrane as the winning post loomed.
Whilst the drop in trip is a slight concern on Tuesday, connections clearly see Cleveland as a Group performer in the making and it’s highly likely that this could be his final start in a handicap before setting his sights on bigger targets as the season unfolds.
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Royal Ascot Day 1 Selections
BAAEED – (2.30 Ascot, Queen Anne Stakes) 1/5
BLACKBEARD – (3.05 Ascot, Coventry Stakes) 3/1
TWILIGHT CALLS – (3.40 Ascot, King’s Stand Stakes) 15/2
COROEBUS – (4.20 Ascot, St James’s Palace Stakes) 8/11
COLTRANE – (5.00 Ascot, Ascot Stakes) 12/1
TASMAN BAY – (5.35 Ascot, Wolferton Stakes) 14/1
CLEVELAND – (6.10 Ascot, Copper Horse Stakes) 5/2
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