Royal Ascot Day 1

It’s the first day of Royal Ascot this afternoon. Five fantastic days of racing at a fabulous racecourse. It’s a meeting with all its glitz & glamour that only the British can put on.

It’s even more exciting this year as we have a runner. Mountain Recue takes his chance in the £175,000 Royal Hunt Cup on Wednesday. Having just two flat horses in training and one of them good enough to run at Royal Ascot is some achievement. It’s going to be a fabulous day and occasion for the owners of Mountain Rescue. We’ll enjoy every second of it.

Royal Ascot isn’t an easy meeting to find winners at, however one big priced winner is all you need to make a profit on the week.

Benbatl must have a great chance of getting the meeting off to a great start for Godolphin. Benbatl won a Group 1 at Meydan in March snugly. He’s the best horse in the race on ratings and looks to have every chance. Odds of 4-1 look fair enough. Rhododendron looks the clear danger.

I was really taken by Calyx win at Newmarket just 10 days ago. I was told Calyx was very smart and he proved that with an eye-catching win. I’ve backed the horse for the 2000gns next year at 20-1. This race comes quickly but John Gosden would only run Calyx if 100% happy. If Calyx runs his race, it will take a very good one to beat him.

The King’s Stand stakes at 3:40 is a matchup between Battaash & Lady Aurelia. I hope both horses bring their A game and we see a fantastic dual. I’ll side with Battaash and hope he stays calm in the build up to the race.

Willie Mullins has won the Ascot Stakes three times in the last past six years. Ryan Moore has ridden all three winners.

Mullins throws 3 darts at the race this year and his runners look the ones concentrate on. Chelkar priced at 6-1 isn’t easy to work out. Ryan Moore has jumped off Dannyday to ride him. Chelkar hasn’t been seen since, October 2016 when winning over 1m2. Stamina could be an issue, but Mullins is a master with such a horse.