One of the great international racing carnivals of the year gets underway this week as attention turns to Royal Ascot in the UK for five days of exception world-class racing action.
Punters in Australia are getting used to burning the midnight oil lately so we'll be firing up a coffee this week to follow all the best bets from our friends at Tips4Punters who are back once again to cover the action for us. T4P are UK locals with an intimate knowledge of the local racing and conditions which is a big advantage for an international meeting such as this. We look forward to cheering home plenty of winners this week.
There's a bit of Australian interest at Royal Ascot this week as well with Group 1 winner Coolangatta in action on Day 1.
Check out our Royal Ascot 2023 Day 1 preview and betting tips below!
Royal Ascot 2023 Day 1 Preview and Betting Tips
With thanks to Tips4Punters
Race 1 Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) - 11:30pm AEST
The Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes kicks off Royal Ascot 2023 and I think this race goes to either (7) Modern Games or (12) Inspiral. The Godolphin owned and Charlie Appleby trained Modern Games was last seen winning the Group 1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in May (beating Chindit, Berkshire Shadow, Lusail & Light Infantry who he faces again today). Will no doubt go close but Inspiral looks the absolute business for John & Thady Gosden, and is set to be ridden by Frankie Dettori who is on his farewell tour (retiring from the saddle). Inspiral won the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at the Royal meeting last year, winning by 4¾ lengths. On her latest start in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot she started slowly and came 6th, if she gets a good start this time round, she will be hard to beat.
Another I want to mention maybe for each way punters is the David Simcock trained (3) Cash who could run well at a big price.
Race 2 Coventry Stakes (Group 2) - 12:05am AEST
The first big field of the day is the Group 2 Coventry Stakes with 22 runners taking part. Plenty in with a chance including the Aidan O'Brien trained (17) River Tiber with the trainer having a brilliant record in the race (9 wins).
(12) Givemethebeatboys with Frankie Dettori riding was last seen winning a Group 3 at the Curragh over in Ireland and is certainly worth a look.
The George Boughey trained (3) Asadna is the horse I want to side with. Champion jockey Will Buick is set to ride. Impressive on debut winning a novice stakes race at Ripon in May by 12 lengths (clocking a decent time)! Up in grade today but no reason why he can not make the step up.
At bigger prices (4) Bobsleigh and (5) Bucanero Fuerte both look interesting for each way punters.
Race 3 King's Stand Stakes (Group 1) - 12:40am AEST
An international field with runners from the UK, Ireland, Australia and America. (12) Highfield Princess looks the stand out for John Quinn, she won 3 Group 1’s in 2022 winning 2 of them over the King’s Stand Stakes distance (5f). She’s top class.
I am going to take her on with one of the Australian runners (10) Coolangatta who was last seen winning the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington in February, ironically beating the Peter Moody trained I Wish I Win that day who was ridden by Luke Nolen (Black Caviar fans will know). The filly also won a Group 1 at Moonee Valley last year.
(2) Cannonball is the other Australian challenger for Peter & Paul Snowden.
I say every year that Wesley Ward runners should be respected when it comes to Royal Ascot and he runs (14) Twilight Gleaming in this with Irad Oritz Jr up, the trainer won this very race back in 2017. The horse was 2nd in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at the Royal meeting back in 2021, second time lucky?
Of the others (6) Manaccan gets a serious mention for John Ryan/Frankie Dettori as does (19) Dramatised, and at a huge price (13) Mooneista gets a mention for each way punters and could outrun her odds for trainer Joseph O’Brien.
Race 4 St James's Palace Stakes (Group 1) - 1:20am AEST
This should go to the Andrew Balding trained (1) Chaldean who was last seen winning the Group 1 Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket in May. Before a blip at Newbury in April (bumped and unseated rider at the start) he had won 4 races in a row.
Aidan O’Brien has a great record in this race (8 wins) and runs (8) Paddington who won the Group 1 Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on his last start beating another O’Brien runner that day. He could give Chaldean something to think about.
(7) Mostabshir has a wicked turn of foot and is an interesting runner for John & Thady Gosden as is (3) Cicero’s Gift (who is 3-3) for Charlie Hills. Both look good but I’ll stick with Chaldean to get the job done with Dettori in the saddle.
Race 5 Ascot Stakes (Heritage Handicap) - 2:00am AEST
Another big field of runners as 20 go in the Ascot Stakes on Day 1 of the Royal meeting. So many in with a chance including the Willie Mullins trained (5) Bring On The Night, 2nd in this race last year.
(17) Law Of The Sea trained by Ian Williams was 4th in this year’s Chester Cup and more recently 2nd at Haydock Park beaten by Solent Gateway.
(11) Zoffee also gets a mention for Hugo Palmer/Ben Curtis and at a bigger price Fleurman after recent exploits on the all weather gets a mention for each way punters.
For win purposes I am siding with (6) Ahorsewithnoname for trainer Nicky Henderson. Last seen winning a listed hurdles race at Cheltenham in April and was last seen in action on the flat in the Club Godolphin Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket last October when she come 5th. Good record on the flat and she looks the one to be with.
(6) Ahorsewithnoname
$7.50
Race 6 Wolferton Stakes (Listed Race) - 2:35am
A wide open Wolferton Stakes the penultimate race on Day 1 of the Royal meeting. The King & The Queen own (14) Saga who will be backed and he is trained by John & Thady Gosden.
John & Thady also run (9) Francesco Clemente who was 3-3 as a 3-year-old. With headgear on he could be dangerous.
As could (3) King Of Conquest for Charlie Appleby who actually beat Francesco Clemente by a neck in a listed race at Goodwood on his last start. He’s looking for a 5-timer after racking up wins at Wolverhampton, Bahrain, Newmarket and as mentioned Goodwood.
(6) Cadillac won the Betfred Handicap at Epsom on his last start and will like the ground at Ascot (good to firm). Interestingly he was 2nd in this race last year. Redemption?
One to mention at a bigger price is (12) Poker Face for Simon & Ed Crisford/Jamie Spencer. Defeats recently but could get back to winning ways here.
Race 7 Copper Horse Handicap - 3:10am
The last race on the card is the Copper Horse Handicap. I think this race will go to Ireland. Willie Mullins has 2 runners with (8) Absurde the one I want to concentrate on. Decent on the flat before joining the Mullins yard. Won a novice hurdle at Killarney on his last run and looks interesting on his french flat form with Frankie Dettori in the hot seat.
(14) Ruling Dynasty, (4) Point King and (13) Postileo also deserve a mention. Good luck!
