Today’s FREE Royal Ascot tips: Best bets for day 1 of meeting from our very own Wizard of Odds
Royal Ascot comes under the spotlight as the Wizard looks to conjure up some magical winners on the first day of the Royal meeting
LIGHTNING can strike in the first race at Royal Ascot.
LIGHTNING SPEAR and Rhododendron cross swords again in the Queen Anne Stakes (2.30) after their head-bobber in the Lockinge at Newbury last month.
The Aidan O’Brien filly came out on top that day but there was the width of a fag paper between them and it should be a good ding-dong again.
He’s seven now but that Newbury run showed there was still plenty of petrol in the tank and he has been placed in this race before against stronger opposition.
At the prices, he has a good chance of hitting the frame at least and could easily win what looks a below-par renewal.
BLOWN BY WIND looks a massive price for the Coventry Stakes at 3.05.
He’s been written off on the back of just one modest run when he hated the sticky conditions at Sandown last time out.
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He didn’t get going that day but had earlier shown massive promise when scooting home here over 5f in quicker conditions.
On breeding, this step up to 6f should suit and trainer Mark Johnston has tasted success in this contest before. Calyx is a worthy favourite after an impressive debut at Newmarket but my fancy should run a big race at hefty double-figure odds.
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Battaash and Lady Aurelia set a high standard in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes at 3.40 but the bookies aren’t taking any chances with their prices.
At more rewarding odds, BLUE POINT can make his presence felt.
He had his problems this spring when not quite right in Dubai or Hong Kong. Charlie Appleby’s flyer is better judged on his two big wins here at Ascot last season.
He got the better of subsequent Group 1 winner Harry Angel when winning the Pavilion Stakes in May before again showing his liking for the Queen’s back garden when landing another big race in October.
Wizard Of Odds' top tips for Royal Ascot
2.30 Ascot - Lightning Spear 'Great chance of hitting the frame in poor renewal'
3.05 Ascot - Blown By Wind 'Huge price after hating ground on last run'
3.40 Ascot - Blue Point 'Best judged on previous efforts at Ascot'
4.20 Ascot - Romanised (NAP) 'Can prove his Irish 2000 Guineas win was no fluke'
5.00 Ascot - Dubawi Fifty (treble) 'Will love every yard of marathon trip'
5.35 Ascot - Mirage Dancer (nb) 'Has proven stamina for truly run race'
He is blessed with more than enough zip for this minimum trip and could still be improving at the age of four.
Washington DC is another who could run well at rewarding odds. He probably finds this trip on the sharp side but was beaten in a driving finish for the Temple Stakes at Haydock last time and a repeat of that would put him in the shake-up.
ROMANISED can prove his Irish 2,000 Guineas win was no fluke by taking the St James’s Palace Stakes (4.20).
Kevin Condon’s colt was sent off at 25-1 at The Curragh but stormed away with the Classic, coming from the rear to win going away.
He relished every yard of his first try over a mile and looks open to further improvement as he tackles it again.
Without Parole is likely to be popular for the John Gosden/Frankie Dettori team. He was impressive when winning a Sandown Listed race last time and gives the impression that there’s a lot more to come.
DUBAWI FIFTY will love every yard of the marathon Ascot Stakes at 5.00.
He was doing his best work at the finish of the Chester Cup last time, where he put in a good effort to finish fourth. It took a little while for him to settle on that tricky course and he did well to keep so much petrol in the tank.
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This step up in distance could be ideal and he’s off the same mark as that Roodee run.
MIRAGE DANCER was third in the Hampton Court Stakes at last year’s meeting and is back for more in the Wolferton at 5.35.
He warmed up for this mission with a comfortable Listed victory at Goodwood where he won comfortably. That was over 1m4f and his proven stamina will be an asset in what should be a strongly-run race.
Sharja Bridge deserves this step up in class after a good second in a hot Newmarket handicap on his return last month. He should appreciate this step up in distance.