Royal Ascot day one tips: Third time lucky for Golden Pal in UK
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Golden Pal to shine in Royal Ascot Day One tips
We’ve got Royal Ascot day one tips as an all-star cast arrives at the Berkshire track, with a trio of Group One contests featured on Tuesday’s excellent card.
Elite-level horse racing and high fashion combine to make this five-day spectacular a do-not-miss event on Britain’s sporting and social calendars.
However, we’re focusing on the action on the turf, as we try to pick out the best bets for Royal Ascot.
All eyes will be on the much-vaunted Baaeed as he bids to extend his unbeaten record to eight and it is hard to look elsewhere, despite the four-year-old being priced up at 1/5.
The son of Sea The Stars created a huge impression when romping home by a wide margin at Glorious Goodwood last summer and went on to land Group One prizes in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over this course and distance.
William Haggas could not have been happier with his seasonal reappearance in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury and Baaeed looks a banker barring any mishaps.
Aidan O’Brien has sent over a record nine winners of this juvenile contest from his Ballydoyle base and returns with another strong hand this term.
Age Of Kings made all to score in fine style at the Curragh and has Frankie Dettori on board, but Ryan Moore has opted to partner the slightly more experienced Blackbeard, the 11/4 favourite.
This son of No Nay Never looks more like the finished article at this stage and already has a Group Three triumph to his credit over in Ireland, when comfortably accounting for the highly-rated Tough Talk.
Dual Breeders’ Cup hero Golden Pal has been beaten on two previous trips to the UK but American trainer Wesley Ward won’t hear of defeat for his pride and joy this time around.
Ward, who has had a dozen Royal Ascot scorers, beamed: “I’m so excited for this horse I can’t even tell you. He’s the best I’ve ever brought to Ascot in all these years, and I’ve brought some good ones – this guy is the fastest of the fast.
“He’s really matured from last year to this year mentally and physically he’s gotten bigger and stronger – he’s just a pure athlete and this is his year.”
Multiple Australian Group One winner Nature Strip adds to the international flavour of this fascinating renewal and the big question is whether he can catch 11/4 shot Golden Pal over the minimum trip of five furlongs?
Charlie Appleby’s Coroebus will bid to add another elite-level prize to his Classic success in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, when upsetting stablemate Native Trail, who has subsequently claimed the Irish equivalent.
A number of also-rans at HQ reoppose, with fifth Berkshire Shadow, sixth Lusail, ninth Light Infantry and 14th Checkandchallenge trying their luck again.
Sandown winner My Prospero is held in high regard by connections, but Coroebus (8/11) only needs to hold his form and enjoy a clear run to come home in front.
Willie Mullins has landed this 2m 4f marathon four times in the past 10 renewals and Ireland’s champion National Hunt trainer puts his faith in French import Bring on the Night (7/2), who was a distant fourth in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Jessica Harrington’s Cadillac (6/1) could be another Emerald Isle raider to fear, as he has competed in some top-quality events and enjoyed a confidence-boosting triumph at Leopardstown recently when dropped in class.
Juan De Montalban (8/1) left his past form behind him when bolting up here last month on just his second start since joining Kevin Philippart De Foy from David O’Meara and there may still be even more improvement to come now the penny has dropped.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
