Tuesday – Welcome to Day One of the Royal Meeting

Surely the most glamorous and compelling week of flat racing, anywhere. The first of five days of high-class action from Ascot, and what an opening day we have.

First four races – 3 Group Ones, and 1 Group Two. Plenty of runners, a Listed contest, and a brace of red-hot handicaps. Massive bonus – every race is covered live on ITV.

We’ll look to mark your card well before racing every day this week so without further ado, top hat tilted jauntily to one side, here’s how I can see Tuesday shaping up.

Obvious highlights? Inspiral v Modern Games in the opening Queen Anne. Highfield Princess in the King’s Stand. Chaldean and Paddington in the St James’s Palace. Two Willie Mullins raiders, both ridden by the brilliant Ryan Moore. Wow.

Royal Ascot Day One (Tues) tips 2023

• 2.30 – Modern Games to win @ 15/8
• 3.05 – Asadna to win @ 3/1
• 3.40 – Highfield Princess @ 5/2
• 4.20 – Paddington @ 2/1
• 5.00 – Calling The Wind each-way @ 11/1
• 5.35 – Francesco Clemente each-way @ 11/2
• 6.10 – Get Shirty each-way @ 28/1

Group One Queen Anne Stakes 2.30, 1m – Modern Games

High-class globetrotting 4-yr-old, by Dubawi.

Won the Lockinge at Newbury on reappearance, and is narrowly the highest officially-rated entrant, on a mark of 121. Breeders’ Cup Mile hero in Keeneland last November. Has predominantly the Frankie factor, in the shape of Inspiral, to beat, but for me he sets the standard. And it’s a very good one.

Group Two Coventry Stakes 3.05, 6f – Asadna

Trainer George Boughey has rather taken racing by storm for me, these past couple of years. He’s a significant player at the very top tables and saddles once-raced 2-yr-old Asadna here.

That solitary appearance came at Ripon, a difficult juvenile test given the subtle undulations in the straight. He shot clear under today’s pilot Will Buick and won by a yawning 12l, recording decent fractions. File nicely in the ‘could be anything’ category.

With 22 runners slated to face the starter he’ll need that bit of luck, as will they all – but there’s little doubting that the engine is potentially special.

Group One King’s Stand 3.40, 5f – Highfield Princess

Nunthorpe heroine appeared to be as good as ever on reappearance at York last month, over 6f. The reduction in trip here (5f, as with the Nunthorpe), and fast surface, will be perfect.

Bold bid to make all is in the offing for me, and from stall 10 has the option to glide from a central position to either side of the track if required. An absolute thriller; blink-and-you’ll-miss-it.

Group One St James’s Palace Stakes, 4.20, 1m – Paddington

English 2000 Guineas’ winner Chaldean, a son of Frankel no less, and Paddington, winner of the Irish equivalent, for Ballydoyle. Seven other fine horses line up, but these two dominate the scene-set, and the betting.

It’s Paddington for me. Took his form to a new level at the Curragh, and was going away at the finish. Exactly what I want to see on Tuesday – hitting the line strong. Highlight of the day. Can’ wait.

Ascot Stakes Heritage Handicap, 5.00, 2m 4f – Calling The Wind each-way

This one was second in the Queen Alexandra at last year’s Royal meeting, over 1.5 furlongs more. Apprentice find Billy Loughnane takes off a valuable 3lb, and trainer Richard Hughes knows all about winners at the Royal meeting given his previous glittering career in the saddle.

As we’re paying five places, each-way is surely sensible. We know the trip is not an issue, fingers crossed, and last time Calling The Wind was beaten only 3+ lengths in the Chester Cup. A winner here for Billy would be quite something, but he’s looked so good since bursting on to the scene so spectacularly.

Wolferton Stakes, 5.35, 1m 2f – Francesco Clemente each-way

Four each-way places, so that’s the recommendation here. ‘Francesco’ was narrowly beaten at Goodwood in a similar contest, after a lengthy lay-off (308 days). Very few miles on the clock for a 4-yr-old, hails from the Gosden yard, has a raft of fancy entries going forward and is another son of the prolific Dubawi.

Rab Havlin rides, as Frankie is on stablemate and Royal runner Saga, who must have a grand chance also. Any number of lively challengers lurk in the shadows, but I’m hoping Francesco Clemente can do the business or at least hit the frame to reward each-way support.

Copper Horse Handicap, 6.10, 1m 6f – Get Shirty each-way

My route into this one was simple – he won this last year off a mark of 99, and looks to follow-up off 105, having been as high as 110 in the meantime. Danny Tudhope who knows him so well is back ion the plate, and trainer David O’Meara is a master.

Five each-way places and the ferociously-competitive nature of things positively screams ‘each-way bet,’ and at 28/1 I reckon that offers some genuine value.

Have a brilliant first day of the Royal meeting. Every race is on ITV, and we’ll be with you throughout the week. Have fun, take care, and good luck.

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