Royal Ascot Preview

Jordan McCarthy previews the upcoming horse racing meeting at Royal Ascot.

Royal iconography will dominate our screens from Tuesday afternoon, yet it is safe to say that Ascot will be missing its true king. The racing public this week mourns the loss of the great Sir Henry Cecil. He saddled an amazing 75 Royal Ascot winners in his career. Add to that 25 British Classic’s and 10 trainer’s titles and you start to get an idea of why his man was held in the highest regard by the racing public.

The Cecil-trained Frankel opened the show last year at the Royal meeting and it was pure excitement from start to finish.  With an increase in prize money, a Kentucky Derby winner and a serious chance of good ground (fingers crossed) this year looks set to be another pulsating affair.

Animal Kingdom- the real deal?

The name on everybody’s lips going into the Royal meeting is not a British horse nor is it an Irish horse. Rather it is the transatlantic star that is Animal Kingdom. The Graham Motion trained horse is set to be unleashed in the opening Queen Anne, won last year by a certain Frankel. Animal Kingdom has won a Kentucky Derby and a Dubai World Cup. He has become a star on the dirt but the question remains can he make quite the same impact on the turf of Berkshire?

Ascot will provide connections with the opportunity to show the passionate British public their star. A Royal Ascot victory would enhance an already glittering CV. However at 4/5, and doubts mounting about his form on turf, can he just be overhyped?

Surely 6/1 the rest of the field is excellent value for each-way punters.  Declaration of War represents the Ballydoyle team and Aljamaaheer is another who should go close. Both will be looking to improve on their Lockinge efforts.

At 33/1 Gabrial could be a great each-way bet.  Jockey Kieren Fallon feels that this horse could run a big race. Should Animal Kingdom fail to shine then there will be plenty waiting to pounce.

Camelot vs. Al Kazeem –the rematch

The Prince of Wales stakes looks set to be a thrilling encounter with the first and second from the Tattersall’s Gold Cup set to do battle again. Al Kazeem saw off Camelot impressively at the Curragh last time out and connections are bullish ahead of this 10 furlong tussle.

Camelot is a dual Derby winner and is extremely talented.  This column has felt that the best could be yet to come from the Montjeu colt. It will be interesting to see if he can reverse the form with Al Kazeem but this season’s four year olds will struggle against their elders.

The race is by no means a foregone conclusion.  The Fugue represents John Gosden and French raider Maxios also takes his chance. Al Kazeem won very well at the Curragh last time and he should see off Camelot and Co here. It could be the second of many Group ones to come for Roger Charlton’s runner.

Battle in the Palace

The St. James’ Palace sees the three-year-old colts do battle over a mile. Magician ran out a comfortable winner of the Irish 2000 Guineas and bypassed Epsom for this race. However, the O’Brien trained runner suffered a setback this week and his participation now hangs in the balance.

It is interesting that Dawn Approach is an intended runner here. This horse ran extremely free in the Derby and was thought to be on a mid-season break. It will be interesting to see whether he can bounce back from his exertions but he is reverting to his favoured distance here. Perhaps this race may come too soon for Jim Bolger’s colt.

Joining them is Toronado. Jockey Richard Hughes is adamant his mount is much better than he showed at Newmarket. The horse has been fitted with a new spoon bit and connections feel he is in good order.  Mars, who had no luck in running in the Derby, will take his chance here if Magician is a non runner. He could go well.

Don’t forget Newmarket 150/1 runner-up, Glory Awaits. Trainer Kevin Ryan thinks a lot of this colt. He has finished second to Dawn Approach and third behind subsequent French Derby hero Intello. If the son of Choisir can produce a performance like he did at Newmarket then he should be thereabouts at the finish. He won’t be 150/1 this time but the 25/1 on offer could be great each way value.

If the real Dawn Approach shows up then he wins. The fear is that his Derby efforts may take that little bit more time to recover from. Magician’s participation is uncertain and we await a decision from the Ballydoyle team on Sunday. Given that there are question marks over the two market leaders, it could be Toronado’s day.

The Quest for Gold

Estimate looks set to be all the rage in the Gold Cup. The Queens horse is twice a course winner and no doubt has been aimed at this race. He won well at Ascot last time out and currently heads the betting with Rite of Passage.

A former winner, Rite of Passage landed the staying race at Qipco Champions day. If Weld and Smullen can produce an effort like last October then expect him to go close. The horse is now a nine-year-old, though, and this is his seasonal reappearance.

Saddler’s Rock is another intriguing runner and if the master John Oxx has him ready then he could be in the place money. Dual Ascot winner Simenon ran a big race at Chester last time out when badly drawn. He is currently priced at 8/1 and looks a good bet. It would be quite story if the Willie Mullins trained gelding could land the Ascot Group 1.

It has not been an easy few months for the sport, yet Royal Ascot could demonstrate why British racing is still the best in the world. It is fitting that the Queen’s Vase will be run in honour of Sir Henry Cecil. Let’s hope the race does justice to such an icon. Get ready for an International cabaret of sublime equine talent. And long live the king!