Royal Ascot

Starts Tuesday and runs all week Tuesdays Card

Three for Tuesday...

Paco boy @ 11/4

Equiano @ 8/1

Canford Cliffs @ 2/1

Bob you going against your hero, Goldikova?

Canford Hills for me.

Yes, Hughes thinks Paco has improved out of all recognition..

Mawatheeq and Twice Over set to clash at Ascot

MAWATHEEQ will have his chance to gain revenge on Twice Over after last year's Champion Stakes one-two were among the final 12 declared for the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot on Wednesday.


The Marcus Tregoning-trained Mawatheeq has not raced since chasing home Twice Over in theEmirates Airlines-sponsored event at Newmarket last autumn and has won both of his starts at Ascot.


There will be no Irish challenge after Rip Van Winkle, who runs in the Queen Anne on Tuesday, was the only runner to be removed, but there will be a dual assault from France with Byword and Shalanaya, as well as one raider from Germany in the form of Wiener Waltzer.

Other British-trained runners include Cavalryman, Glass Harmonium and Presvis, who will be partnered for the first time since Dubai by jockey Kieren Fallon.

Group 1 winners clash in ultimate curtain-raiser

THE opening event of Royal Ascot 2010, the Queen Anne Stakes, looks as good as any running of the race staged in its 170-year history.

Goldikova, Rip Van Winkle and last year's winner Paco Boy are already multiple winners at this Group 1 level, while Zacinto, though so far unsuccessful, has given the strongest indications that he is more than capable if the cards fall right.

It can also be only a matter of time before Dalghar, a late developing half-brother to Daylami and Dalakhani, makes his mark, and the remainder are no mere make-weights either.

Paco Boy benefited from the strong - some might say suicidal - pace set by Gladiatorus when such a good winner a year ago, but there is no obvious pace in the race this time. Still, that might inconvenience him less than Goldikova, whose prospects of a ninth career Group 1 win, and a first in this race for a filly or mare in at least 40 years, could be severely compromised by a false pace.


Nevertheless her trainer Freddie Head had some dispiriting words for his rivals. He said: "I am very happy with Goldikova and she will be the best I've ever had her for the Queen Anne. In my opinion she is one of the best fillies I've known and one of the all time greats, like Miesque."


Richard Hannon regards Paco Boy, winner of the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury last time, in the highest terms as well.

Hannon told his website: "Paco Boy would be as good a miler as we have trained, and, while it's true that this year's Lockinge might not have been the strongest renewal, he could hardly have won more impressively. He seems a different horse this year and his extended winter break has played a big part in that, but both Goldikova and Rip Van Winkle have beaten us before, so we need to have improved."

This has to be the best meeting anywhere in the world..anywhere!!!!

Great race,Welldone the filly

not sure of the ride from Hughes on Paco?

hibernia Wrote:

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> This has to be the best meeting anywhere in the
> world..anywhere!!!!


doesnt match summer cup day

hibernia Wrote:

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> Great race,Welldone the filly
>
> not sure of the ride from Hughes on Paco?


i agree Hibs, she is a top filly, but i think Hannon might feel just a little sorry for himself there....didn't think hughsie gave Paco a great ride!!!!

All the best to the mare though!

Maybe just my pocket talking tommy,she is probably the highest rated horse on the planet atm,so big improvement from Paco..

Great run and well done to Hills for not doing a somersault at the start...(


Paco boy ride is dissapointing me even more now!

Good tipping there hibs, you were on this one from the beginning.

do you think Canford cliffs can even the score with the Frenchies?