Fields Assemble for Royal Ascot Day 1

[Wandering Eyes]

Ante-post favourite Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who won the G1 Lockinge S. narrowly over Lightning Spear (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) at Newbury in May, is one of 15 horses declared for the G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot on Tuesday. The straight-mile Group 1 is the traditional curtain-raiser to the Royal meeting and another fascinating renewal is in store. Trainer Aidan O’Brien also has Deauville (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) for that contest.

Godolphin has claimed this prize a record eight times and Sheikh Mohammed’s operation has a major contender for this year’s renewal in Saeed bin Suroor’s Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who was last seen running out a brilliant winner of the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan in March, while Recoletos (Fr) (Whipper) and Yoshida (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) represent France and America, respectively.

Ten colts stood their ground in the G1 St James’s Palace S. later on the card, led by the undefeated listed hero Without Parole (GB) (Frankel {GB}) for John Gosden. G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas bridesmaid Tip Two Win (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas victor Romanised (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) will also take part. The next three home in the Irish Guineas, US Navy Flag (War Front), Gustav Klimt (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Threeandfourpence (War Front) are aiming to give Aidan O’Brien an eighth renewal.

Group 1 winners Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) from the yard of Charlie Hills and U.S. invader Lady Aurelia (Scat Daddy) who ships in for Wesley Ward, will clash in the five-furlong G1 King’s Stand S. on Tuesday. A two-time winner at the Royal meeting, the latter ran second in the Listed Giant’s Causeway S. last out at Keeneland on Apr. 14. Another American chance is Bucchero (Kantharos) for trainer Tim Glyshaw, who finished fourth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar last November.

Godolphin’s Blue Point (Ire) (Shamardal) steps forward, as well as a quartet from Ballydoyle in Washington DC (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), Battle of Jericho (War Front), Declarationofpeace (War Front) and G3 Albany S. heroine Different League (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}).

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