Royal Ascot 2022 is back with full crowds and a first day to savour as ever with the three Group 1 races the Queen Anne Stakes, King’s Stand Stakes and St James’ Palace Stakes.
Baaeed is brilliant and at Unibet 1/6 headlines the Queen Anne Stakes and looks unopposable to retain his 100% career record. He won the Lockinge comfortably on seasonal debut at Newbury, beating Real World, who reopposes today and is the one to chase him home at Unibet 13/2.
In the King’s Stand Stakes, the truly international flavour of this year’s Royal Ascot is there with Nature Strip from Australia trained by Chris Waller and from Wesley Ward’s team Golden Pal over from the US, with these two runners headlining the betting.
The 2,000 Guineas winner Coroebus is Unibet 4/5 in the St James’ Palace Stakes, and it is hard to see him being beaten after his Newmarket success and two-year-old form, though there are definite each way possibilities in this Group 1.
There is a strong crop of two-year-olds, and the Coventry Stakes has some real depth here, with Unibet Ambassador Richard Hannon represented by Persian Force, who currently heads the betting at Unibet 3/1.
The Ascot Stakes Handicap is always strongly targeted by jumps trainer and this year is no exception.
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Cheers
The Wine Tipster
3.05 Ascot – Coventry Stakes Group 2 (6f)
Persian Force has certainly impressed his trainer, Unibet Ambassador Richard Hannon, by winning the Brocklesby at Doncaster easily on debut and then following up comfortably at Newbury last month, when drawing clear in eye-catching style from Holguin, who reopposes. Persian Force’s speed figures have been good and Richard Hannon has a top class two -year-old here.
Unibet 3/1
WATCH Richard Hannon’s full Royal Ascot stable tour
Bradsell was so impressive on debut at York last month, when winning by nine lengths from Northcliff and rewatching this race only reconfirms that he has some engine. The form looks fine as the fourth home Just Janet won on her next start and providing Bradsell copes with the quicker conditions he will be right in the mix.
Unibet 8/1 each way
Unibet are paying Extra Places on this race
3.40 Ascot – King’s Stand Stakes Group 1 (5f)
Nature Strip is racing at Ascot for the first time and looks sure to be suited by the stiff five furlongs, having won over six furlongs too. The eight-year-old Nature Strip showed he was back to his best when winning the T.J.Smith Stakes at Randwick for the third time in April on his most recent start, with old rival Eduardo in second. Nature Strip dictated the pace as he likes to do and this winner of eight top level races can fend off the domestic and American challenge here.
Unibet 9/4
Arecibo bounced back to form at Haydock in the Temple Stakes when a good third and Rossa Ryan will have learnt plenty for his first go on the horse. Arecibo was second in the King’s Stand last year and arguably this will be run to suit him even better, with Golden Pal, Nature Strip and Winter Power all blazing away up front. He has strong each-way claims on quick ground, which will show him at his most effective.
Unibet 33/1 each way
Unibet are paying Extra Places on this race
4.20 Ascot – St James’ Palace Stakes Group 1 (7f)
Bayside Boy looks overpriced for such a smart performer and can reward each way players. In his two-year-old campaign Bayside Boy won the Champagne Stakes, was third in the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster and as well in the Dewhurst behind Native Trial. His only start this season at Longchamp last month saw him have no chance from a poor draw and he was never going to be on terms. Bayside Boy will like the quick going and can from off the pace from a good draw in stall 5.
Unibet 50/1 each way
5.00 Ascot – Ascot Stakes Handicap (2m 4f)
Arcadian Sunrise (nap) is a smart dual-purpose performer and has a good chance with the excellent Harry Davies claiming five for the John Queally team. Arcadian Sunrise came from last to first to win at York’s 2021 Ebor meeting over two miles and half a furlong in good style. On seasonal debut in the Chester Cup he finished fourth to Cleveland and runner-up Coltrane (reopposes), when looking like the track didn’t really suit him. This race has looked the target and Ascot looks sure to bring out the best in Arcadian Sunrise.
Unibet 13/2 each way
Unibet are paying Extra Places on this race
5.35 Ascot – Wolferton Stakes Listed (1m 2f)
Tasman Bay seems to have gone somewhat under the radar in a wide open Wolferton and is worth a small each way wager. In 2021 Tasman Bay took on Baaeed, Hurricane Lane, Alenquer, and ran well on all three occasions, including that second to Alenquer in the King Edward VIII here last year. That was on heavy and quicker ground is the question mark, though his sire Le Havre won on good ground. He was gelded in the spring and on his first run of the year it is hard to think he’ll be short on fitness (did win a maiden first time up last year).
Unibet are paying Extra Places on this race
