In my job, I’m very lucky. Imagine having to go to Royal Ascot for work! And for all five days. Through various roles and guises I’ve been attending for many, many years.

Top Trainer

Five days gives trainers and jockeys plenty of time to come from behind or pull further clear to win their respective top at the meeting award. For me there is a stand out in the top trainer market, maybe I’m biased. I declare that I’m a huge fan of Stravagante which only hardens my allegiance to Sir Michael Stoute. 

I know many perceive Gleneagles a penalty kick in today’s 4.20 for Aidan O’Brien, who is 5/2 joint-favourite in the top trainer market, but if there any slip ups, the master of Freemason Lodge saddles Consort. 

Then tomorrow Integral is very short for the Duke Of Cambridge, he has Telescope in the Hardwicke with a good back up in Hillstar. I’ve already mentioned Stravagante who has been supplemented for the King Edward VII Stakes on Friday. Plus he has many lively entries for the remainder of the week. 

He has won the title six times already including last year and is the top current trainer at the Royal meeting with 72 winners. 

9/2 - Sir Michael Stoute to be top trainer at Royal Ascot

Top Jockey

As for the jockey, that ought to be Ryan Moore as to start he has Sir Michael Stoute and Aidan O’Brien to call upon, the front two in the betting for the top trainer. Odds-on betting isn’t my style but he is the best jockey in the world riding at present and is attempting to win for the fifth time in six years. 

I’ve bottled it a little and had a saver on Frankie Dettori only because he is the man for the big occasion. 

So on to the actual racing, take heed though this is a long week, five days, 30 races. Have fun, pace yourself.

4/9 - Ryan Moore to be top jockey at Royal Ascot

St James's Palace Stakes, 16:20

One odds-on is enough for me this week, so I’m going to swerve Gleneagles in the St James’s Palace. What I can tell you is that the last four odds-on favourites to run in the race have won. This horse is a dual Classic winner and I was thrilled with his run in the Irish 2000 Guineas where many were sceptical about the manner of his victory. Five of the last eight Irish 2000 Guineas winners to run in the race have won. 

This distance betting could be a draw as Consort and Make Believe could be underestimated, especially the latter who defeated New Bay in the French 2000 Guineas. New Bay has since won the Prix Du Jockey Club, so if Gleneagles wins I can’t imagine it will be by too far. 

15/8 - Gleneagles to win by under 2.5 lengths

Queen Anne Stakes, 14:30

The stats show that like the St James’s Palace, both the Queen Anne and the Coventry are won by fancied runners. Indeed nine of the last ten winners have come from the first three in the betting. 

I’m glad it’s the first three as reading the press you’d be forgiven for thinking the opening highlight the Queen Anne Stakes was a two horse race. 

Full respect is given to both the overseas challengers, it’s a treat to see them, but should the focus on them be to the detriment of Night Of Thunder? 

He has recently won the Lockinge, a race which has produced six of the last eight winners of the Queen Anne. Plus this year’s renewal looks particularly strong as Arod, Cable Bay and Top Notch Tonto have all franked the form.

He was second to the mighty Kingman in the St James’s Palace last year and returned to Ascot in October on unsuitably heavy ground to be second to Charm Spirit. 

Solow was a mightily impressive winner of the Dubai Turf in Meydan, yet remove The Grey Gatsby from the field and no disrespect to some talented rivals but he ought to have won comprehensively. And it’s hard to judge his latest start as his main rival Cirrus Des Aigles had a problem with his shoe. 

Able Friend has won over £4million in prize money and four Group 1s to Night Of Thunder’s two. He is the best horse in Hong Kong and it is wonderful to see him in the flesh. Yet I believe the value is Night Of Thunder.

9/2 - Night of Thunder to win the Queen Anne Stakes (14:30 Ascot)

Coventry Stakes, 15:05

As expected there are plenty of whispers for horses in the Coventry, particularly those towards the head of the betting. Pricewise landing on Air Force Blue has seen his price contract rapidly, yet that might mean Round Two’s odds get eased slightly. 

The last nine winners were all unbeaten prior, in 2015 that narrows the field down from 18 to 6. If it helps Aidan O’Brien will be trying for an unprecedented eighth win in the race, he trains Air Force Blue. 

There has been positive vibes regarding Finnegan, his trainer Wesley Ward has been very successful at the meeting popping over from America to claim four winners. He is bound to add to that this year.

5/2 - Round Two to win the Coventry Stakes (15:05 Ascot)

Round Two is already priced with Betway as 9/1 favourite for next year’s 2000 Guineas. 

In contrast to all the aforementioned, the Ascot Stakes has only seen one market leader oblige since 1994, a race to give a big swerve to unless you have strong thoughts. 

By the time the Windsor Castle Stakes comes round my feet will be crying enough and hopefully the pocket will be replenished. Good luck and catch up tomorrow.

Tanya’s Tips

9/2 - Sir Michael Stoute to be top trainer at Royal Ascot

4/9 - Ryan Moore to be top jockey at Royal Ascot

9/2 - Night of Thunder to win the Queen Anne Stakes (14:30 Ascot)

5/2 - Round Two to win the Coventry Stakes (15:05 Ascot)

4/1 - Sole Power to win the King's Stand Stakes (15:40 Ascot)

Read more on Day 1 at Royal Ascot...

'Friend in need of backing' > >