Good morning/evening everyone I hope our pockets are still lined with a bit of cash after yesterday with Cannock Chase winning but on the face of it we struggled a bit. We move onto today with a couple of strong fancies but it doesn't get much easier does it?
As always we have a video preview prepared for you but as a little bonus we have also interviewed Martin Smith who is the trainer of Hillbilly Boy. He talks us through the chances of his first ever Royal Ascot runner and of course we wish him luck with today's race. However we still have our normal preview video but it may be a tad rushed as we wanted to watch England's latest disappointment in Brazil... Our apologies for that. Joining me on the panel tonight were the usual suspects of @Adamwebb121, @Calummadell and @Mytentoryours, enjoy the video's!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=225GYBl1LVc (Martin Smith interview)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e98xj5R5t8 (Preview video)
Now onto today's action!
Albany Stakes - Sexy Legs
Connections are obviously very confident about Sexy Legs' ability as she was engaged in a Conditions race for her debut before opting to run in a maiden instead. She showed plenty of ability on that occasion and only missed out on the bob, but she travelled into the race with great style before showing tremendous battling qualities. If she builds on that opening effort then she won't be far away but a big danger could come in the form of Bitter Lake who won well on debut. That was a rare debut winner for Charlie Appleby this season as most of his two year old's have come on for the run so it will be interesting to see how she performs. Sexy Legs to improve on her debut however and go one better in the Albany.
1st - Sexy Legs
2nd - Bitter Lake
3rd - Patience Alexander
Wolferton Handicap - Dick Doughtywylie
John Gosden has two winners to his name at Royal Ascot so far with Kingman and The Fugue but he can make it a hat trick here with Dick Doughtywylie. We haven't seen him since pushing Grandeur to a head on all weather championships day at Lingfield back in April, but he comes here in good form which is more than you can say about most in the race. His form has undoubtedly improved since the application of a tongue tie three runs ago and that could just be the key to him as his form since is 142. There is a distinct possibility of a lack of pace here as well which would suit him as he is one that likes to sit close to the pace. The main danger could come in the form of the frustrating and strong travelling Cafe Society, however he is one that will need a strong pace. We side with Dick Doughtywylie however to add another victory for John Gosden and we hope he isn't done yet.
1st - Dick Doughtywylie
2nd - Cafe Society
3rd - First Mohican
King Edward VII Stakes - Western Hymn
The John Gosden show continues here with Western Hymn who is the mount of Richard Hughes as William Buick opts for the unexposed Eagle Top. He had a troubled passage at Epsom in the Derby and in truth his race never really took off, however he did stay on for sixth which shows his true ability. He has also clashed with Snow Sky at Newbury over two furlongs shorter but won that eased down and you would be surprised if that were to change. The only worry for me would be the faster ground however he handled it well enough at Epsom and he is unbeaten when going right handed from two attempts. Western Hymn to make it two on the day for Mr Gosden.
1st - Western Hymn
2nd - Adelaide
3rd - Eagle Top
Coronation Stakes - Rizeena
Clive Brittain was very bullish about Rizeena for the 1000 Guineas but she came undone by the slow pace and could never stamp her mark on the race. As a two year old she looked the leading filly along with the late Chriselliam after winning the Queen Mary and a Group One in the Moyglare. She is also racefit now which should put her right amongst the main competitors and Ryan Moore is back on board which is a huge positive. One that could go well at a price is Euro Charline who was ahead of Rizeena at Newmarket and is another that would benefit from a good gallop, Kiyoshi however missed the Guineas and holds solid each way claims here. We go for Rizeena who looks a bit like the forgotten horse to get her career back on track today in the Coronation Stakes.
1st - Rizeena
2nd - Kiyoshi
3rd - Euro Charline
Queen's Vase - Marzocco
Now for John Gosden's strongest representative today in Marzocco who has shaped well on each occasion this term and will be suited by the step up in trip. He was fancied by connections in the Epsom Derby Trial but found one too good on that occasion and the same happened again at Goodwood behind Observational. On the face of it, the form of his last run would probably be good enough to win this as long as he handles the stamina test as it is a pretty weak race, but Hartnell could be the one standing in his way. As a two year old he promised so much and was a genuine Derby contender, however things haven't gone his way this year and he is another who takes a step up in trip. Marzocco looks like a stayer and connections went close in this race last year with Feel Like Dancing so they will be hoping to go one better.
1st - Marzocco
2nd - Hartnell
3rd - The Corsican
Buckingham Palace Stakes - Pastoral Player
If you have high blood pressure or a heart condition then the final selection of the day probably isn't for you as he has been called every name under the sun in his time. However he did post a good performance off a pound higher mark on his seasonal reappearance when the ground was probably too soft for his liking. Today he has everything in his favour and he hasn't shown any signs of losing his ability as he was contesting Group races last season. Hillbilly Boy has improved 27 pounds this season for Martin Smith and it would be no surprise if he could post a good performance once more, although there are worries about the ground for him. Georgian Bay is better than he showed in the Victoria Cup as he was drawn on the wrong side but still ran an admirable race that day and has each way claims. But for win purposes we stick with Pastoral Player who could have a bit of give in his handicap mark.
1st - Pastoral Player
2nd - Hillbilly Boy
3rd - Blessington
4th - Georgian Bay
NAP - Marzocco
Nb - Rizeena
Good luck today guys and as always, happy punting!
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