The Betway ambassador and champion flat jockey previews the first day of the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting ahead of his Wednesday bow
I’d love to be at Ascot for the first day, but there was nothing really there for me and there’s no point just making up the numbers.
I’ve got a very busy day at Thirsk and Beverley and hopefully I’ll have a couple of winners. My best chance is definitely Jawaayiz for Simon Crisford in the 7.10pm at Beverley.
I’ll be at Ascot on Wednesday and will update you on all my rides on Tuesday afternoon.
Queen Anne
Looking at the opening day’s action and things get off to a flyer with the Queen Anne (2.30pm).
All eyes will be on American filly Tepin, who was such a good winner of the Breeders’ Cup Mile last year.
She’s a very classy filly, but this is going to be a different test for her racing over a straight mile for the first time.
She has a few questions to answer and for me the one to beat is Belardo.
He won the Group One Lockinge Stakes last time and will love the ground. Roger Varian’s horses are in good form and Roger thinks Belardo will improve from his Newbury run.
King’s Stand
Mecca’s Angel is a very classy filly and she will relish the conditions in the King’s Stand (3.40pm).
It’s always a really good race, though, and I can’t imagine there will be much between them at the line.
Profitable has improved this year, winning his last two, and Pearl Secret has a really good record when the ground is soft.
Waady has also put in some decent efforts, but Mecca’s Angel is a worthy favourite.
St James’s Palace
This year’s St James’s Palace (4.20pm) is probably the race of the whole meeting and it looks like a brilliant contest.
To get the winners of the English, Irish and French Guineas in one race is fantastic and it should be close between the three leading contenders.
Awtaad was impressive at the Curragh, but Galileo Gold didn’t get a clear run. It wouldn’t surprise me if he reversed the form.
The Gurkha won really well at Deauville, but this is a better race and he’s going to have to step up taking on these quality horses.
It’s a race to savour.
