We bring you our race-by-race tips for the opening day of the 2024 edition of Royal Ascot.
ROYAL ASCOT – DAY 1
Race 1 – CHARYN 7/2
CHARYN did not do a lot wrong in the Lockinge and can exact revenge on his Newbury conqueror Audience in the Queen Anne Stakes.
Robert Havlin sent supposed pacemaker Audience to the front on his first outing at a mile and he built up a sizeable advantage on the rest before Charyn led the chase, but the John and Thady Gosden-trained five-year-old had stolen it by then and came home a length and a quarter to the good.
Audience is unlikely to have it all his own way on this occasion and Charyn can add a deserved Group One to his ultra-consistent resume.
Race 2 – AL QUDRA 25/2
Appleby and William Buick are favoured to enjoy more success in the Coventry Stakes with AL QUDRA.
He warmed up for the big meeting with victory on the all-weather at Lingfield a fortnight ago and can complete a quickfire double.
Race 3 – BIG EVS 7/2
BIG EVS can make it four from four in the King Charles III Stakes.
Mick Appleby’s stable star made the perfect start to his three-year-old campaign with victory in the Listed Westow Stakes at York, with his only other visit to the Knavesmire for the Nunthorpe being the one disappointment of a brilliant juvenile season that culminated in Breeders’ Cup glory.
Ticking another box is the fact he has Royal Ascot form after winning the Windsor Castle last year.
Race 4 – NOTABLE SPEECH 11/10
NOTABLE SPEECH can follow up his 2000 Guineas win in the St James’s Palace Stakes.
The unbeaten son of Dubawi was unraced as a juvenile and announced himself on the scene when winning his maiden going away on the all-weather at Kempton at the beginning of the year.
He returned to the Surrey track in February to make it two from two when going from last to first to win comfortably at odds-on.
And he completed a hat-trick of Kempton victories in April to set himself up for a switch to turf and the Rowley Mile when again held up before launching a late charge to come home by two lengths from Valvano.
While at Newmarket the Charlie Appleby-trained colt was something of a surprise winner as he pulled clear in the final furlong to comfortably win by a length and a half at odds of 16/1, there was no fluke about it as the form looks rock-solid.
Rosallion got closest at Headquarters and has since won the Irish Guineas, but although he absolutely remains the apple of Richard Hannon’s eye, there is no real reason why Notable Speech should not come out on top again.
Race 5 – TEMPORIZE 20/1
TEMPORIZE is partnered by Tom Marquand, who is on red hot form with a 23 percent strike rate over the last fortnight.
Syd Hosie’s five-year-old won the Goodwood Handicap last August and arrives in good shape after coming runner-up of seven on season debut at the same venue 25 days ago.
That big-field handicap success over this type of trip is a definite positive, and with his adeptness for any going, if he can tuck in behind the leaders until the final furlong he should be there or thereabouts.
At ten years old, The Very Man is the oldest horse in the field and boasts a 50 percent top-two record in his 10 flat runs to date, and he should strip fitter for his outing at Down Royal 18 days ago.
Trainer Jessie Harrington is renowned for producing horses in top shape for a big-race target and if replicating his form at last September’s Irish Cesarewitch, then he must have a chance of running into the places.
Race 6 – OUZO 20/1
OUZO can make a successful return to Britain in the Wolferton Stakes.
He dead-heated with Daysofourlives at Ascot in the hands of Saffie Osborne for her father, Jamie, in September, before heading to Meydan over the winter.
He won a pair of valuable handicaps there in January and February and at a price he is worth a go in this company.
Race 7 – FOX JOURNEY 9/2
FOX JOURNEY caught the eye on seasonal return at Newmarket managing an a 11 length win in a handicap.
Proven tackling this trip and ticks plenty of boxes, so will be a leading contender in the Copper Horse Handicap.
Belloccio represents top Irish jumps stable. Produced a winning hurdling debut when a nine length winner of a two mile maiden hurdle at Punchestown.
A Piece Of Heaven won over two miles and recorded a convincing victory attempting a handicap at Leopardstown.
