Royal Ascot: Queen Anne longshot can get meeting off to a flyer
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Such is the nature of Royal Ascot, the opening day always provides a thrilling introduction to proceedings and this year’s Tuesday card looks set to be no different.
The Queen Anne Stakes is the sumptuous starter to what’s shaping-up to be an intriguing sextet of contests, including three Group 1 encounters.
We’ve cast an eye over the respective fields to pick out three of the best selections ahead of the action.
Don’t forget, it’s Money Back if The Gurkha wins the St. James’s Palace Stakes* and we’re giving away even more free bets on all six of the contests broadcast by Channel 4 Racing…
Money Back if 2nd or 3rd to the SP Favourite in Channel 4 races!**
It might seem rather bold to make a lightly-raced two-year-old our lock of the day but such is the promise of Wesley Ward’s runner, there’s a definite case to be made.
The American trainer reckons Big City Dreamin’ can do the business on grass having already seen his charge triumph on the dirt at Keeneland.
And with 2009 victor Strike the Tiger and 2014 hero Hootenanny already on his CV we’re backing Ward and Frankie to get the job done, with this selection likely to show his class right from the off.
The St. James’s Palace Stakes is the feature race on a corking first day with three Guineas winners set to line-up.
Newmarket hero Galileo Gold, French equivalent The Gurkha and Irish winner Awtaad head the market and they’re likely to dominate a fascinating renewal.
We’ve plumped for Kevin Prendergast’s colt in this instance with the rain in his favour and that win at the Curragh no fluke, even when taking into account the beneficial trouble that affected Galileo Gold.
Make no mistake, he was fantastic that day, and while The Gurkha was visually impressive at Deauville, this is a much sterner test.
Last year’s Duke of Cambridge Stakes winner continued her progression by going on to take top level honours in both the Falmouth Stakes and Prix du Rothschild at Deauville.
The re-opposing Ervedya was runner-up in that latter contest and our selection is capable of repeating the dose and serving it up the boys in Berkshire.
A third-place in the Dahlia on her seasonal reappearance may not have set tongues wagging but Amazing Maria can strip fitter for that run and complete another big race success.
*Money Back if The Gurkha wins the St. James’s Palace Stakes. Money Back as a free bet up to £25. Click here for full Terms and Conditions.
**Money Back 2nd and 3rd to the SP favourite in any Channel 4 races with 8+ runners. Money Back 2nd if 5-7 runners. Click here for full Terms and Conditions.
Click here for the latest Royal Ascot odds.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
