One of the world's most prestigious sporting events on the planet gets underway on Tuesday, 16th June, as Day One of Royal Ascot sees three Group One races contested.
We have gone through all televised races on Day One, picking out ITV horse racing tips, and an accumulator for ITV racing.
Royal Ascot kicks off with the Group One Queen Anne Stakes. Charlie Appleby’s hand is very strong in the race, but More Thunder could be of interest on his second attempt over a mile.
Wasn’t beaten far by Notable Speech in the Group One Lockinge on his return following a 223-day break.
Was high class on firmer ground over seven furlongs last season, winning the Banbury Cup and Group Two Hungerford Stakes.
Should be suited to this test, especially after his strong effort when beaten a head in the 28-runner Wokingham Stakes at the Royal meeting 12 months ago.
The high-class action comes thick and fast at Royal Ascot, with the second race on the card being the Group Two Coventry Stakes.
I’m a huge fan of the Eve Johnson Houghton yard, and Night In Vegas is a runner that I’ve had in mind for this race for the entire season.
The two-year-old is perfect in two career starts, which includes an eye-catching win over course and distance on debut at the start of May.
The strength of that form looks reliable, and he quickly followed up with a win on softer ground at Goodwood, showing versatility. By Lucky Vega, who was a Group One winner as a juvenile.
Sprinters will be in action over a snappy five furlongs in the Group One King Charles III Stakes. Australian raiders will dominate the betting, but it could be a French raider that looks primed for a bold bid.
Francis Graffard-trained Rayevka looked excellent back down to five furlongs at Longchamp last month, easily landing the Group Three Prix de Saint Georges.
A return to quicker ground will be no negative, having been hindered by poor luck in-running when beaten only a length by Native Approach in the Group One Al Quoz Sprint.
Still improving as a four-year-old for a high-quality trainer at the top level. Sire (Blue Point) won this race back in 2018 and 2019.
The most competitive and eagerly anticipated race on the opening day of Royal Ascot comes in the form of the Group One St. James’s Palace Stakes.
Bow Echo is clearly respected, but Talk Of New York could still be improving for the Charlie Appleby yard.
The three-year-old has won on back-to-back starts and was visually very impressive when landing the Listed Heron Stakes at Sandown last time, beating Time To Turn by five lengths. Yard won this back in 2019.
Racing royalty and actual royalty join forces with a strong chance in the Ascot Stakes, as Willie Mullins-trained Reaching High runs in the colours of HM The King & HM The Queen.
The five-year-old is yet to win in eight attempts on the turf, but he has been kept fresh for this challenge after finishing ninth at the Royal meeting last season.
He didn’t have much luck in running on that day, and he could be set to avenge that defeat for the master trainer this year.
Another big race winner could be achieved by the Joseph O’Brien team in the Listed Wolferton Stakes.
Galen was a regular performer in Group company throughout last season, including taking second in the Bahrain International Trophy and fourth in the Group One Hong Kong Cup.
A return to Ascot should bode well for his chances after running a stormer when beaten just under a length by Haatem in this race 12 months ago. Should be set for another bold bid.
The ITV coverage on Day One of Royal Ascot concludes with the Copper Horse Stakes. Variancy could be the horse worth chancing.
The four-year-old made an excellent return to action for the William Haggas hard at Hamilton last month, beating a decent enough field. Still looks to be improving, and this mark looks lenient.
