Royal Ascot 2019: Sun Racing ambassador Megan Nicholls is back as she talks through the races on Day 1
It’s the start of a mega week of racing at Royal Ascot and, as always, the opening day is full of top quality fare.
Hopefully there’ll be some rising stars alongside some old favourites strutting their stuff – and I can’t wait for it to get going!
Queen Anne
What an opener!
For me, the Lockinge is really strong form and I think Accidental Agent is massively overpriced.
He ran huge to finish third at Newbury and I know connections think he’ll improve for that first outing.
I can’t get my head around the fact Le Brivido finished fifth in the same contest and is favourite – it doesn’t make sense.
Laurens also ran a cracker in second and gets the fillies’ allowance here which is very handy. She’s super consistent and is has a touch of class.
Mustashry was very impressive in winning the race and clearly has a big chance again, for all that he’ll need to confirm his improvement.
I think the first three in that race will be the first three in the Queen Anne and hopefully Accidental Agent can get some luck in running to win it again for connections.
Coventry
It doesn’t take a genius to realise Arizona is the obvious one.
He was beaten first time out but was super impressive on his latest outing, pulling readily clear of the field. He looks a worthy favourite.
Guildsman produced a similar performance on his only start when winning at Goodwood and also boasts solid claims.
It was nice to see them pull clear like that and it will be interesting to see how they get on now upped in class.
Well Of Widsom and Fort Myers raced against each other at Newbury when just losing out behind Temple Of Heaven and for all that they’ve had the benefit of a couple of runs, may just have to step up a little now.
King’s Stand
This is a tricky one. I’m a huge fan of both Battaash and Blue Point and it’s hard to split them, but I’m going to be brave and stick with Blue Point.
He ended up being progressive last year and was very good at Meydan earlier on in the campaign where he easily beat everything that was put in front of him.
Those rivals probably weren’t of Battaash’s standard but he’s coming here fresh and is a less complicated animal than the favourite.
My only worry with Baattash is Ascot is a massive occasion and he has his quirks, so I reckon it’s best left to Charlie Appleby’s sprinter to win the race for the second time in a row.
St James’s Palace
I’m a huge fan of Phoenix Of Spain here.
It was fantastic to see him win the Irish Guineas so well and on the back of that performance he’s going to be hard to beat.
Too Darn Hot has to step up on his two performances so far this year, while John Gosden’s other runner, King Of Comedy, can get slightly wound up beforehand and that’s a big worry.
Both are talented but I reckon they’ll both struggle to get to Charlie Hills’ colt.
Ascot Stakes
I’m struggling with this as it’s a hugely open race.
That said, Mengli Khan looks to have a big chance based on his very good form over jumps for Gordon Elliott.
He’s not run on the level for a while but I think the switch back to the Flat might see him get his head back in front as he was a good horse in this sphere before he moved to Ireland.
It’s a contest National Hunt trainers tend to do very well in and for me he’s the pick.
Coeur De Lion has a shout after winning at Chester last time but this is a different track and will be more of a stamina test.
He finished sixth in this last year but whether he’s quite good enough over this extended 2m3f I’m not sure, especially now he’s gone back up in the handicap.
Wolferton Stakes
Magic Wand won the Ribblesdale last year very impressively and has been running consistently at the top level ever since.
A drop back to Listed company will suit her and the weight allowance is a big plus.
She handled the day very well last year and I think she could bounce back now.
Riven Light was unlucky last time but the strong pace here will suit him and if he puts his best foot forward he could have an each-way chance.
There are some horses with big reputations taking their chance, including the likes of Elarqam and Willie John, so it’ll be interesting to see if they can step up to the plate.