Black-Type Analysis: Guineas-Winning Trio Clash In St James’s Palace Stakes

[Wandering Eyes]

Tuesday, Royal Ascot, post time: 14:30, QUEEN ANNE STAKES-G1, £793,625, 4yo/up, 8fT

Field: Cairo (Ire) (Quality Road), Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Dancing Gemini (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Diego Velazquez (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Docklands (GB) (Massaat {Ire}), Lake Forest (GB) (No Nay Never), Lead Artist (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Quddwah (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), Sardinian Warrior (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}).

TDN Verdict: This could be a case of take the Lockinge form and throw it in the air to see where it lands, or take it literally and go with the same outcome with Lead Artist living up to his title ahead of Dancing Gemini, Rosallion and Notable Speech. A convincing argument can be made for all four top-class colts, which is the beauty of this keenly-anticipated opener, an example of what can happen when Classic winners are left in training at four. Perhaps Rosallion, for all that he was so good in the St James's Palace last year, is the one most vulnerable as this is sure to be a demanding stamina test over the straight track but you'd be brave to bet against a colt so talented. While only Carl Spackler is here to provide true international flavour, he is some horse with which to come to war with the Europeans and is a welcome presence. [Tom Frary].

Tuesday, Royal Ascot, post time: 15:40, KING CHARLES III STAKES-G1, £725,750, 3yo/up, 5fT

Field: American Affair (GB) (Washington DC {Ire}), Bucanero Fuerte (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Jasour (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Kerdos (Ire) (Profitable {Ire}), Manaccan (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), Night Raider (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Regional (GB) (Territories {Ire}), Rumstar (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Starlust (GB) (Zoustar {Aus]), Twilight Calls (GB) (Twilight Son {GB}), Washington Heights (GB) (Washington DC {Ire}), Asfoora (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}), Balmoral Lady (Ire) (Invincible Army {Ire}), Believing (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Frost At Dawn (Frosted), Mgheera (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}), Monteille (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}), No Half Measures (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}), Prime Art (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), Aesterius (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Estepona (Fr) (Mehmas {Ire}), Tropical Storm (GB) (Eqtidaar {Ire}), West Acre (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}).

TDN Verdict: He may have taken a while to get to the top, but this could be the time for Night Raider who has done his most impressive stuff on the all-weather which is always key at this meeting. With due respect to Asfoora, Believing and Regional, there is a distinct feeling that this division needs a boost and Karl Burke's colt could be it. Mgheera is one to keep on the right side of, with a switch to Ed Walker having coincided with a surge in form. [Tom Frary].

Tuesday, Royal Ascot, post time: 16:20, ST JAMES'S PALACE STAKES-G1, £650,000, 3yo, c, 7f 213yT

Field: Field Of Gold (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), First Wave (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Henri Matisse (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Officer (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Rashabar (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), Ruling Court (Justify), Windlord (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).

TDN Verdict: A real humdinger this year, the “fourth Guineas” rests between Field Of Gold, Ruling Court and Henri Matisse with the former currently favoured at odds-on. That is based on the assumption that he was definitely the best colt at Newmarket and while Ruling Court has had a far-from-ideal Derby preparation, he might come back and surprise the grey's followers. One thing is for sure, Colin Keane and William Buick won't be wanting to see Henri Matisse looming in behind with two to race with the finishing kick he has exhibited, but is this stiff track his bag? Maybe not. Sit back, relax and enjoy, this is one for the purists and it'll be so glaringly obvious afterwards of course… [Tom Frary].

Tuesday, Royal Ascot, post time: 15:05, COVENTRY STAKES-G2, £175,000, 2yo, 6fT

Field: American Gulf (GB) (Ardad {Ire}), Andab (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), Ballistic Missile (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Bone Marra (Ire) (Starman {GB}), Bourbon Blues (GB) (Space Blues {Ire}), Coppull (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), Do Or Do Not (Ire) (Space Blues {Ire}), Gavoo (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}), Gstaad (GB) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Kolkata Knight (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), Military Code (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Postmodern (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Power Blue (Ire) (Space Blues {Ire}), Raakeb (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}), Rock On Thunder (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Shaatir (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Super Soldier (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Tajeg (GB) (Ardad {Ire}), Tricky Tel (GB) (Ubettabelieveit {Ire}), Underwriter (Fr) (Mehmas {Ire}), Warsaw (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}).

TDN Verdict: Possibly the most painful absence felt this week is that of Albert Einstein, but there are still 21 precocious talents to stir the blood and get the early 2,000 Guineas market moving. Power Blue makes big appeal as an already battle-hardened colt with key form behind that Ballydoyle dynamo and his first-season sire is by Dubawi who just about reigns at this meeting after several years of success. He may not win this, but watch out for Warsaw as the season progresses as he has the pedigree of all pedigrees in the current racing world. If he wins, he's serious Guineas material, which is also true of Postmodern with his relations far from sprinters. [Tom Frary].

Tuesday, Royal Ascot, post time: 17:35, WOLFERTON STAKES-Listed, £120,000, 4yo/up, 9f 212yT

Field: Galen (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Liberty Lane (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), Military Order (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Phantom Flight (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), Ambiente Friendly (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Checkandchallenge (GB) (Fast Company {Ire}), Ecureuil Secret (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Enfjaar (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Haatem (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}), Haunted Dream (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), King's Gambit (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), Meydaan (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Passion And Glory (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), Sons And Lovers (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}), Torito (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Doha (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).

TDN Verdict: As wide-open as it gets, the penalty structure may compromise some but not Shadwell's Enfjaar who keeps promising to make into a good horse. Shockingly, last year's Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly is 14-1 for this after some abject displays but if he is in the right frame of mind this could be his for the taking, while Meydaan looks one who is peaking at a trip that could prove his optimum. [Tom Frary].

Wednesday, Royal Ascot, post time: 16:20, PRINCE OF WALES' STAKES-G1, £1,057,500, 4yo/up, 9f 212yT

Field: Anmaat (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}), Certain Lad (GB) (Clodovil {Ire}), Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), Facteur Cheval (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}), Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Map Of Stars (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Ombudsman (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Royal Champion (Ire) (Shamardal), See The Fire (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).

TDN Verdict: Ballydoyle's bruiser Los Angeles proved what a hardnut he really is when taking a Tattersalls Gold Cup that was set up like a war of attrition and there is something about this that has the air of inevitability. Anmaat could have had a say if the track had been hit by one of those thunderstorms that can happen at this time of year, but will surely play second fiddle again on this type of ground. As likeable as Map Of Stars and Ombudsman are, they have something to find with the favourite while See The Fire is so effective on York's flat terrain it is not easy to make a case for her outbattling the big colts in this. [Tom Frary].

Wednesday, Royal Ascot, post time: 15:05, QUEEN'S VASE STAKES-G2, £265,000, 3yo, 14f 34yT

Field: Al Wasl Storm (Ire) (Affinisea {Ire}), Asmarani (Ire) (Sottsass {Fr}), Carmers (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Devil's Advocate (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Furthur (Ire) (Waldgeist {GB}), Hallelujah U (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}), Pinhole (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Rahiebb (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Scandinavia (Justify), Shackleton (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Spinning Wheel (GB) (Postponed {Ire}), Titanium Emperor (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Too Soon (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}).

TDN Verdict: Potential Irish domination here, with Ballydoyle represented by two different types and probably expecting most from Shackleton, while Paddy Twomey saddles the unexposed Listed Yeats Stakes winner Carmers. Francis-Henri Graffard sends across Asmarani, who is up markedly in trip having run into Rafale Design in the G3 Prix Hocquart. [Tom Frary].

Wednesday, Royal Ascot, post time: 15:40, DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE STAKES-G2, £225,000, 4yo/up, 7f 213yT

Field: Cinderella's Dream (GB) (Shamardal), Crimson Advocate (Nyquist), Elmalka (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), One Look (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Running Lion (GB) (Roaring Lion), Soprano (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Start Of Day (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}).

TDN Verdict: The way Cinderella's Dream went through the G2 Dahlia Stakes last month, we could be talking about a special filly and this looks hers for the taking. Fallen Angel is an obvious threat, but the Irish 1,000 Guineas and Moyglare winner has a bit to prove with cheekpieces fitted for the first time, while One Look comes into it after chasing home Porta Fortuna in The Curragh's G2 Lanwades Stud Stakes last month. [Tom Frary].

Wednesday, Royal Ascot, post time: 14:30, QUEEN MARY STAKES-G2, £150,000, 2yo, f, 5fT

Field: America (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Caitlin G (GB) (Bangkok {Ire}), Cardiff By The Sea (Ire) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}), Come On Eibhlin (Ire) (Space Blues {Ire}), Eskimo Pie (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}), Eternal Solace (GB) (Tasleet {GB}), Flowerhead (Ire) (Starman {GB}), Guernsey Lady (Ire) (Coulsty {Ire}), Harry's Girl (GB) (Harry Angel {Ire}), Justice Twice (Ire) (Inns Of Court {Ire}), Lennilu (Leinster), Love Olivia (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Miss Yechance (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), Paris Carver (Bolt D'Oro), Revival Power (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}), Secret Hideaway (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Shine On Me (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Social Exclusion (GB) (Lope Y Fernandez {Ire}), Society Kiss (GB) (A'Ali {Ire}), Solana Rose (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Spicy Marg (GB) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Staya (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), True Love (Ire) (No Nay Never), Viamarie (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}), Zelaina (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}).

TDN Verdict: Wathnan's TDN Rising Star Zelaina took the same Nottingham maiden as last year's winner Leovanni, so connections are hoping that lightning strikes twice. As it rarely does at this meeting, the race is more open than the betting suggests with the likes of the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies Stakes winner Lennilu, Ballydoyle's high-class maiden True Love and Ralph Beckett's course-and-distance winner Society Kiss all poised. Special mention must also be made of Revival Power, the full-sister to Winter Power who probably wasn't expected to make such an impressive debut at Thirsk and would be an emotional winner for the Easterbys. [Tom Frary].

Wednesday, Royal Ascot, post time: 18:10, WINDSOR CASTLE STAKES-Listed, £110,000, 2yo, 5fT

Field: Ardisia (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}), Azizam (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Beach Partee (GB) (Lope Y Fernandez {Ire}), Better And Better (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), Call Me By My Name (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}), Dickensian (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}), First Approach (Ire) (No Nay Never), Gaga Mate (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Gorey Gold (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}), Havana Hurricane (GB) (Havana Gold {Ire}), Jan Steen (GB) (Sergei Prokofiev), Kamakameleon (GB) (Kameko), Kansas (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Logi Bear (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}), Nuevo Slovo (Ire) (James Garfield {Ire}), Old Is Gold (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Rogue Legend (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Rogue Supremacy (GB) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}), Shaman Champion (Ire) (Shaman {Ire}), Sovereign Spell (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Tough Critic (Caravaggio), Utmost Respect (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Wyle Cop (Omaha Beach), Oasis Diamond (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}).

TDN Verdict: Dual winner Rogue Legend will be more streetwise than most, but there is a chance that St Mark's Basilica's first winner Rogue Supremacy is a smart one. He looked the part at Wetherby on debut, while the Keeneland winner Tough Critic and Hamilton scorer Azizam are other unknown quantities at potentially inflated odds. [Tom Frary].

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