bet365’s Royal Ascot Day 1 Preview and Betting Tips

Royal Ascot launches into action on Tuesday afternoon and declarations are in for the opening afternoon of five glorious days at the Berkshire circuit – bet365 have run us through the 7 race card/

Baaeed is the name on everyone’s lips this summer and we don’t have to wait to see him strutting his stuff, as he’s the star name in the curtain-raising Queen Anne Stakes at 14:30 on Tuesday.

Here’s our preview of Royal Ascot’s opening day, which you can watch via the bet365 Sports Live Streaming service.

 

14:30 – Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1, 1m)

Baaeed is 1/5 to continue his perfect record by adding the Queen Anne and there will be major shockwaves if the William Haggas-trained son of Sea The Stars meets with defeat. Palace Pier carried similar expectations into this contest a year ago and delivered. He was Europe’s top miler until Baaeed took his scalp in the QEII here on Champions Day in October.

With a stylish Lockinge win under his belt already, Baaeed is drawing comparisons with the mighty Frankel in many eyes and he can emulate the 21st century’s superstar performer by winning this race.

The likes of Real World at 7/1, Order Of Australia at 16/1 and Chindit at 14/1 are very smart horses in their own right but they are likely playing for minor honours on this occasion.

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15:05 – Coventry Stakes (Group 2, 6f)

A field of 17 for the Coventry and, as of now, as many as seven are unbeaten – combining to win 11 races between them. Something must give.

Leading light amongst them is Aiden O’Brien’s 5/2 chance Blackbeard, an impressive Group 3 winner at the Curragh recently and bidding to give the Irish trainer a record-extending tenth win in this race.

He’s sure to be on the premises, with the likes of 11/4 Persian Force for Richard Hannon and Clive Cox’s Scholarship currently at 25/1 amongst those hoping to worry him.

This is a big week for Oisin Orr, the talented Irish rider having started his new job as the stable jockey to Richard Fahey in recent times. Rousing Encore is 16/1 to follow his impressive Pontefract win with a third success now upped in class. He have weight and a beating there to the useful-looking Wetherby winner Breege and could have more to offer.

Each-way Tip – Rousing Encore (£2.50Ew returns £53)

 

15:40 – King’s Stand Stakes (Group 1, 5f)

Wesley Ward knows all about saddling Royal Ascot winners and, it’s fair to suggest, the American trainer also knows plenty when it comes to talking up his stars.

Golden Pal is 2/1 to deliver for Ward and Irad Ortiz Jr but the Uncle Mo colt is 0-2 on UK soil previously, inched out here in the 2020 Norfolk and then well beaten last summer in York’s Nunthorpe.

That was won by the filly Winter Power for Tim Easterby and she’s 16/1 having run below her best in the Temple Stakes at Haydock on comeback as King’s Lynn scored. Twilight Calls was closing late on at Haydock and Henry Candy’s 8/1 chance gets Ryan Moore in the saddle now.

There’s a real international feel to this King’s Stand and Nature Strip is 9/4 to give Australian trainer Chris Waller a Royal Ascot winner. He looks a major threat to Ward’s Golden Pal.

Win Tip – Nature Strip (£5 bet returns £16.25)

 

16:20 – St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1, 1m)

The last major dance for the three-year-old’s over a mile and Newmarket’s 2000 Guineas winner Coroebus is 1/2 to score again for Charlie Appleby. He looked an improved model in the Rowley Mile contest and fully deserved to lower the colours of champion 2YO Native Trail – his stablemate well and truly advertising the form by winning the Irish Guineas since. It’s hard to see Coroebus getting toppled if he’s in the same mood.

Berkshire Shadow won the Coventry on this card a year ago and outran a big price in the Guineas, finishing fifth. Andrew Balding’s charge is rated 33/1 now and could have something to offer on just his second start at this mile trip, while Heron Stakes winner My Prospero at 9/2 for William Haggas and Tom Marquand is another solid contender.

Each-way Tip – Berkshire Shadow (£2.50ew returns £104)

 

17:00 – Ascot Stakes (Handicap, 2m4f)

Between them, Willie Mullins (2015, 2017, 2018) and Ian Williams (2019, 2021) have bagged five of the last seven renewals of this marathon – the longest handicap of the meeting.

Ireland’s top jumps trainer saddles just one runner, 9/2 chance Bring On The Night and he’s got Ryan Moore on board – the rider having partnered the winner of this race three times for the Closutton giant in the past. His mount was fourth in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and is a key player here.

Last year’s winner Reshoun is 12/1 to repeat and is the lone contender for Williams, with Derby-winning rider Richard Kingscote on board.

The jumps theme continues with Gordon Elliott’s Pied Piper a 5/1 chance after agonisingly missing out on a Grade 1 novice hurdle at Aintree in April, while Alan King – winner of this race in 2020 with Coeur De Lion – saddles 25/1 chance Who Dares Wins. He was third in this contest in 2017 and also won at the meeting in 2020.

Marshall Plan is best known for his all-weather exploits but shaped as if this extended trip might be to his liking at Newcastle over Easter and could go well at 10/1 for the Gosdens and Frankie Dettori.

Win Tip – Marshall Plan (£5 bet returns £55)

 

17:35 – Wolferton Stakes (Listed, 1m2f)

Cadillac was once touted as a Group 1 star in the making but has proved a bit hit and miss for Jessica Harrington. He was as good as ever in a Listed win at Leopardstown earlier this month, seemingly reacting well to first-time blinkers and if the headgear works again he’s a threat to all at 5/1 under Shane Foley.

Perotto was a winner at this meeting last summer for Marcus Tregoning and has proved himself well able to shine off a layoff so he’s one to note at 12/1, while the smart Regal Reality is 10/1 and has been place in this race before.

Win Tip – Perotto (£5 bet returns £65)

 

18:10 – Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap, 1m6f)

The O’Brien’s have a strong hand to play in the day one finale, with Aidan responsible for 3/1 hope Cleveland, a winner at Chester last month, and Joseph saddling thrice-raced Fairyhouse maiden winner Okita Soushi at 8/1.

The latter was beaten only by smart stablemate Raise You in a Listed 1m4f contest at the Curragh in last month’s return and has an unexposed profile for a race like this.

Juan De Montalban was a decisive winner over shorter here last month and, while 9lb higher now, Kevin Philippart De Foy’s charge is a key player on that evidence at 8/1.

Win Tip – Juan De Montalban (£5 bet returns £45)

 

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