ROYAL ASCOT 2025 - DAY 1 PREVIEW + PICKS

Queen Anne Stakes - ROSALLION

Most of these had have ran in the Lockinge last time out and so that form would look to be something of interest. However, Dancing Gemini and Lead Artist had already had a run before the Lockinge and so were race fit and had already had a run under their belt. When looking at the Lockinge it's impressive how well Rosallion did considering it hadn't already had a run. The vibe from trainer Richard Hannon made out as if he was quite disappointed and almost expected to win, but feels that now with a run under his belt he should be tough to beat. Interesting that Hannon also stated that he would actually rather drop back in trip that go up in trip suggesting this horse is pure speed and so this race will suit on firm ground. A small note should be made that Sardinian Warrior could be a good e/w angle as many bookmakers are giving 4 places for this race and this horse has never been worse than 2nd. Last out it came 2nd to Sosie who is a top French horse and is a favourite for the Arc later on in the year. The main play for this is Rosallion to win and Sardinian Warrior e/w.

Coventry Stakes - POSTMODERN + ANDAB

POSTMODERN was super impressive on debut and is one of many huge chances for Wathnan. He won by 5 Lengths on debut and the trainer said that a win like that was almost expected and that they weren't surprised that it won so convincingly. James Doyle's pick of the two Wathnan horses in the race (although Underwriter shouldn't be discredited). If POSTMODERN is to build at all on his debut he should be very hard to beat.

ANDAB is Joseph O'Brien's only runner in the race but could go well if building on its run from las time. It ran in the Marble Hill Stakes after its impressive debut win and only managed 3rd. However, it was behind exciting prospect in the form of Albert Einstein and also behind Power Blue who it will be up against again here. It was front running last out and stayed on well for 3rd, most important note is that it's training was disrupted for that race and so with better training it could've done better and so I'm expecting a nice improvement for this race.

King Charles ||| Stakes - ASFOORA

Won this last year quite convincingly in the end and up against most of those rivals again here. Not much quality in the top 5f sprinters in UK so not many newcomers that could land a blow. ASFOORA has also been training well and jockey Oisin Murphy has added that she feels stronger and sharper than she did for this race last year and so could actually put in a bigger performance here. The improving Mgheera could be a danger and also last years unfortunate second Regional.

St James Palace - FIELD OF GOLD

Field of Gold is the highest rated in this race and is unlucky to not have both the English and the Irish 2000 Guineas to his name. Won the latter convincingly last time out but this race can be tricky with how its layout and positioning is everything as not a lot of time to get out of pockets of trouble and so Colin Keane needs to be on his A game. The Irish 2000 guineas layout and run of the race is not too dissimilar to this and so would've been good prep for this. Stall 5 is decent and he has a pace maker for him in the form of Windlord.

Will be in top condition for this race where others have questions to answer. Ruling Court was prepped for the Derby and then had to drop out last minute and so could've interrupted its preparation and it wouldn't have been optimal training for sure. Henri Matisse will be a big danger as won the French 2000 guineas but didn't look like the most competitive group 1 race which sounds crazy to say but honestly it didn't. Henri Matisse also hasn't won it's races all convincingly and has only won by small margins. I think its also an important point that Henri Matisse is 7 ratings lower than Field Of Gold and is actually closer to Rashabar on ratings and Field Of Gold beat Rashabar by 5+ Lengths!

Ascot stakes - DIVINE COMEDY

Dropped a lot in ratings down to a mark of 99 for this race. DIVINE COMEDY has raced in this before and is back again, last time it ran in this race it had a mark of 97 and came 2nd by 1/2 Length. An important observation is that in one of DIVINE COMEDY's last races it just lost to Al Qareem by just a short head. Al Qareem has boosted this form significantly by winning it's last race by 4 1/2 Lengths in listed company on a mark of 112 and the race before that only lost to Illinois by just over a length who is favourite for the Gold Cup. Therefore, if running to its true mark it should be better than it has been and could get close again for connections who would love to win this race.

Wolferton Stakes - MEYDAAN

Has constantly been in tough races against some great opposition such as Jan Brueghel, Illinois and Ombudsman. Was very close to winning last out when just losing by 1/2 lengths to Liberty Lane and was staying on in a race where it had just come back to 10f on suitable ground so can be better for this race today. 3lb better than Liberty Lane in this race and think Ascot should suit and no questions around distance and ground, 20/1 seems a decent price and hopefully it can run into the places.

Copper Horse Stakes - FRENCH MASTER

Another horse picked up by Wathnan with hopes of landing a nice race here. A very lightly raced 4 year old and could definitely be better than its mark of 100 as the step up to 14f last time out. He will be to Ascot course layout and seems to have relished his step up to 1m6f and good ground is what he will want and what he needs to get the best out of him. It's a competitive race with 16 runners and so position in the race is everything and can make or break the race for some. So as long as he gets a good position round the race it leaves no excuse to not be close come the final 2f of the race.