This week sees the best quality meeting of the year, Royal Ascot, at York. A 250,000 million euros refurbishment has seen the highlight of the flat season move north, Frankie Dettori´s absence providing another unusual aspect to the bonanza. Tuesday´s James Palace Stakes will in all probability have gone to either one of the Godolphin pair “Shanardal” or “Dubawi”. “Rakti” was the banker in the Queen Anne and “George Washington” was my pick in the Coventry.On Wednesday, duel Oaks winner “Ouija Board” should have run away with the Prince of Wales Stakes while Thursday´s action surrounds the Gold Cup in which “Papineau” can triumph once more. On Friday, “Something Exciting” looks nailed on for the Riblesdale and “Scorpion” is my banker in the 1 mile 7 furlong Queen’s Vase.
Further ahead, Derby hero “Motivator” is booked for Sandown’s Coral Eclipse on July 2 before going for the Arc and on June 25, French Derby second “Hurricane Run” will take the Irish version at the Curragh by a distance to give a more positive ride. Take my word for it!
