A great first day, may the momentum continue! 14.30 QUEEN MARY Alta Regina - debuted with a dominant win at Lingfield in quick time. The race report said she ran a bit green but I thought that was more reacting to other horses not running straight. Drawn the grandstand rail with James McDonald aboard, big ticks. Armor Supreme - won nicely on debut at Goodwood, enough to inspire Valor Racing to buy into her. Then was nosed out on the line in the Marygate at York, always a decent guide. Also drawn high, Rossa Ryan aboard and he's in great form, winning four races on Sunday and Monday. A chance at odds in a really tough race. Bint Archange - impressive winner here six weeks ago but with average rating figures. Stable have a high opinion of her, but needs to step up considerably to figure. Celtic Dispute - first of the American fillies. Kicked off her career with a second on the dirt then found the line first on her turf debut. Not a pure speed machine, sat behind the lead for that...
It's time for Royal Ascot again and it might just be a Goldilocks week on the weather front - not too hot, not too cold - perfect. Should be a high-class week but with a plethora of other events on, unfortunately I won't get there this year. Ah well, will have to cheer on the Aussies from home! 14.30 QUEEN ANNE STAKES Cicero's Gift - fluked the QE II Stakes on Champions Day here last year at 100/1, beating the ill-fated Lion In Winter and the over-rated Field of Gold amongst others. Oh and Docklands who needs all the planets in alignment. Whilst he was massive odds, he'd at least been running in weaker races. There's no form at all to recommend him this time, beaten 7L in the Bet365 Mile and the Lockinge. Pass. Damysus - entered in all the big mile to 1m2f races in Britain and Ireland this season, the Wathnan guys think they have a proper horse here. But so far, he's a G3 and Listed winner, barely beating Cicero's Gift in the G1 Lockinge a month ago when...