Punters should back Battaash (Ascot, 3.40) to smash his rivals for six in the King’s Stand Stakes.
Victory for the flying five-year-old would silence the doubters who have rounded on the selection since his eclipse in this event last year.
However, the selection looked back to form at Haydock last time and can restore his reputation on day one of the Royal meeting.
Battaash returned to form at Haydock and can land the King’s Stand Stakes on Tuesday
ROYAL ASCOT
ROBIN GOODFELLOW
2.30 Le Brivido
3.05 Guildsman
3.40 Battaash
4.20 King Of Comedy (nb)
5.00 Batts Rock
5.35 Elarqam (nap)
GIMCRACK
2.30 Accidental Agent (nap)
3.05 Threat
3.40 Mabs Cross (nb)
4.20 Shaman
5.00 Ulster
5.35 Riven Light
2.30 QUEEN ANNE STAKES
Aidan O’Brien has found this a difficult race to win in the past decade, however LE BRIVIDO appears to have been trained with this day in mind since the start of the season and could reverse Lockinge Stakes placings with winner Mustashry.
The selection has four lengths to make up on the Newbury running, but he was poorly drawn that day and a sluggish exit from the stalls didn’t aid his cause either.
If there is one track where a slow start can be an advantage then it is on Ascot’s straight mile, where patient tactics can often reap rich dividends and Le Brivido’s affinity for the track is already confirmed by a 2017 win in the Jersey Stakes at this meeting.
SELECTION: LE BRIVIDO
DANGER: PHOENIX OF SPAIN
3.05 COVENTRY STAKES
Both Arizona and Threat impressed in winning their respective maidens at the Curragh and Newmarket, but there was plenty to admire in the Goodwood performance of GUILDSMAN and he gains the vote.
Purchased at the Arqana Breeze Up Sales for £125,000, the son of Wootton Bassett still displayed signs of greenness in the early stages of his debut, but he warmed to the task before powering clear for a six-length success.
The speed figure recorded suggested Guildsman should be at home in this company. Though he lacks experience, his Breeze Up education should help in that respect. Arizona looks a threat to all considering how he strode clear last time.
SELECTION: GUILDSMAN
DANGER: ARIZONA
3.40 KING’S STAND
BATTAASH has been called some unkind names during his career, but when he is good he is exceptional and the signs this season suggest he has returned to his best.
Connections report the five-year-old an easier horse to train this year and an emphatic victory in the Group Two Temple Stakes at Haydock seemed to confirm that view.
Admittedly, Battaash was beaten by Ascot specialist Blue Point (three wins from four at this venue) in this race 12 months ago, but the selection used a lot of petrol cutting out the running that day. Charlie Hills’ speedster could gain revenge for that narrow defeat and reclaim his billing as one of the world’s premier sprinters.
SELECTION: BATTAASH
DANGER: DC BLUE POINT
4.20 ST JAMES’S PALACE STAKES
Phoenix Of Spa in may have missed a tilt at the English Guineas, but the imposing son of Lope De Vega made up for lost time with an impressive all-the-way win in the Irish version (Skardu fourth).
Runner-up Too Darn Hot tried manfully
