Today at Royal Ascot: Bow Echo and Gstaad lock horns in St James’s Palace Stakes live on Tuesday | Race News
Royal Ascot begins on Tuesday with a dramatic renewal of the Queen Anne Stakes and a battle of Guineas winners in the St James’s Palace Stakes.
2.30 Royal Ascot – Superstar Notable Speech Queen Anne headlines
Five-time Group One winner Remarkable Speech Royal Ascot headlines the opening Queen Anne Stakes, kicking off a busy week at the royal racecourse.
Charlie Appleby’s colt arrives here in top form after meeting in the Group One Lockinge at Newbury last month. Well supported that day, he stormed out of the field in eye-catching fashion and once again faced the same four opponents this time. William Buick’s mount was caught behind the runners on the far side in last year’s renewal and a clear run this year will worry the judge.
Earlier that day The Docklandswho returns to his favorite track – where he boasts three victories (including two Royal Ascot successes). The Harry Eustace colt comes here off the back of a win in the Doncaster Mile and a third behind in the Sha Tin’s Champions Mile back in April.
Opera Ballo represented by Godolphin and ridden by Billy Loughnane. He is the highest-ranked horse in the race and arrives in fine form having won the Group One Jebel Hatta and the Bet365 Mile – where he held a penalty.
William Haggas’ most prized horse More Popularity. The youngster makes the trip to Berkshire following a good run at Lockinge on his season return, which saw him come out late to roar home second. The connection will be more fun to go to a favorite hot spot. After showing real promise in the Second Division, they were coached by Karl Burke Zeus Olympios he will look to open his account at the highest level under Clifford Lee.
3.05 Royal Ascot – Australian jockey Overpass takes gold for King Charles III
The Overpass made the long journey from Australia to participate King Charles III Stakeswith 26 runners chasing the top prize of £396,970 – the largest field since the 2006 revival.
Bjorn Baker’s seven-year-old has been in good form at senior level, with this being his 15th First Team start. A three-time top scorer, he was fourth behind the world’s best horse Ka Ying Rising at Everest in October and a repeat of that performance would put him very close at least.
Last year’s winner It’s an American story struggled after winning here but recently returned to form at Haydock, finishing second after regular success. The Night Raider – two years after birth. Karl Burke’s charge will close the gates and pick up where Wathnan Racing and Karl Burke left off.
Overpass links will look to follow in the steps of Asphoora, the winner of this race in 2024. The Henry Dwyer star will look to rediscover his mojo against the likes Rayevka, Big Mojo again Rumstar.
4.20 Royal Ascot – Bow Echo and Gstaad meet again at St James’s Palace
The most exciting clash of the day comes at 4.20pm, when 2000 Guineas winner Bow Echo and Irish Guineas champion Gstaad clash in another blockbuster. St James’s Palace Stakes.
Bow Echo is four from four and was impressive at Royal on the final day, sending out a classy field in the 2000 Guineas, and will be hard to beat as George Boughey reckons he will have improved. After that he was given 126 official ratings, which put him among the best horses in the country.
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Gstaad not ruled out, despite being three lengths behind Bow Echo at their aforementioned Newmarket meeting. The Coolmore team say their foal has improved – a statement underlined by success in the Irish Guineas. Aidan O’Brien’s three-year-olds tend to get better as the season goes on and if Gstaad can close the gap on Bow Echo in the home straight, we’re in for a classic.
Talk Of New York he remains highly exposed as he has only appeared four times – winning three of those. That victory included a highlight in the Heron Stakes at Sandown. It’s a serious contender if there’s a lot under the bonnet.
The best of the rest
The Ballydoyle duo Confucius again The Great Barrier Reef Lead betting for the Group Two Coventry Stakes at 3.05pm, with the first winner Royal Jewels and in situ on Wathnan Racing silk. Night In Vegas he is also a great contender, despite being drawn in the 21st stall.
HM The King and Queen are represented through Reaching Upmarket leader at 5pm The Ascot Stakes. Fresh from being awarded an MBE last week, Ryan Moore is on board. Later in the card, Hatem bids to return to the List Wolferton Stakes before Authenticity you go to gold Bronze Horse Poles through Hagas.
