Royal Ascot Day 1 Preview | Tips from David Jennings, Kevin Blake, Paul Kealy & Maddy Playle

Join David Jennings, Kevin Blake, Paul Kealy and Maddy Playle as they provide their best horse racing tips for day one of Royal Ascot 2025.

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Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. Hello. Thanks for joining us and welcome to Good Morning Royal Ascot. Look at that sky. Can you see the sky? It’s absolutely glorious. The sun is shining. It’s Royal Ascot Week. It’s the best week of the summer. And joining myself, David Jennings, to preview all the action on Tuesday at Royal Ascot. We have got an all-star panel. We have got Maddie Pale who’s back to join us. The last time she appeared on our good morning show. Was it Chatam? It was a while ago, wasn’t it? Yeah. Yeah. Watson today or yesterday was Chatam. She tipped up Leky Watson for the Brown Advisory. I think you had four winners that day, Maddie. You tipped Golden Ace to win the Champion Hard and you’re blessed with Golden Ace, but still you take whatever look you’ve been given. You are banging for brought you back for Royal Ascot. No pressure. How are you feeling this week? Yeah, I’m a bit croaky. I don’t know if it’s a bit sicky or if it’s Maybe it’s husky. Maybe it’s sexy. Yeah. Get out the Get out the picture. Oh. Oh. So, so you’re husky and sexy now. Maybe that’s what I’m hoping for. Um, now I had a horrible flu last week, but I’m back. I’m in good form now. It just it’s audio audiably it’s not the the best. And that now that you did mention sexy Maddie. Um, myself and Kes have a confession to make. We were in the house last night and we’re staying just near Virginia Water and uh we the telly on in the background Paul Keley and uh what was on in the background? Naked attraction. Is it Naked Attraction? Naked Attraction. I cannot believe anybody watches shows like this. Yeah, you are horrifying. Absolutely horrific. Absolutely horrific. Yeah, it was certainly um it broadened your mind, I think, did. Absolutely. Yeah. Yeah. You won’t be watching. I’ve never even heard of it. Never even heard of it. But what on earth are you like watching? But what I was also shocked about, you’ve never heard of goggle boxing? I heard of it, but I didn’t know what it was. Yeah. Weren’t impressed. No. Watching people watching telly. What’s that about? No. Weirdos. Break. What are we looking forward to, Kes? Of all the races this week, is there one race in particular you’re looking forward to? Well, I’m actually I’ve started to really quite fancy King’s Gambit in the Wolfton today. Oh, I don’t like to go don’t like to go early really, do you? But um yeah, day one get out of the way more and more into him. Okay, so King’s Gambit in the Wolfton. You’re tackling my nap there, Kees. We’ll find out more later on in the show. And Matty play anything later on in the week. So don’t give today away. Don’t give the game away just yet. But we want to keep our viewers. Anything later on the week that you’re particularly looking forward to? Couple of juveniles. Um Spicy Marg in the Queen Mary. I think she’s got an excellent chance. And also Rogue Supremacy, the the horse the Rogues did keep. Um the Weatherbe winner, I was so impressed with him there. Form uh is not too bad. It was a bit of a nothing race, but I think he can do loads better. Um the horse was second finished second to the Chesum odds on favorite um horse Vlad. So yeah, looking forward to see those two. Okay. It is a guessing game in those junctions. Rogue Supremacy and Spicy Mark. And we were chatting off air and I know you fancy a sneaky one in the Gold Cup on Thursday as well. Yeah, I’m with you. We’re both on the French horse candelari I think. Um just, you know, I love the way it’s been campaigned by Francis Henry Graford. Doesn’t waste his bullets over here. Um this is a horse who’s already a group one winner. He’s actually not got much to find on ratings at all. Um but I think he will. I think he’s still improving and yeah, I just think he could be an absolute standout. Okay, there we go. And there is one more panelist joining us later on this show. The trifectanator himself, Kevin Blake, will be coming to a screen near you very shortly. He’s going to be a little bit late because he’s a bit busy this week, but he will be here. We were supposed to have our old buddy Johnny Denine on the show. Unfortunately, Johnny lost his dad Dan H last Friday. A real I met him twice. What a great man he was, Dan. And uh lived a great life. And we send on our our condolences to all the Denine family. And I’m sure Johnny will be watching and sending on his advice and text message form. So we’ll try and keep you posted of what he fancies uh going through the week. But Kevin Blake will be joining us in a couple of minutes time. And he is banging form at the minute because of course he did get the trifecta kind of kind of almost he got a little bit arways but he got the three horse to finish for second and third in the derby and that’s more than I did because I fancied the line in winter. So Patty Power are sponsors this week. They’ve got loads of great offers. They’ve even got a 10 quid free bet for Patty Power customers. But they’ve also got the eliminator competition as well. Get the royal treatment, this royal ascot, just like the princess of uh Essics. Faster, babes. I’m sweating buckets. Don’t miss our new free-to-play game, Eliminator, with up to 50K up for grabs every day of Royal Ascot. Get in. [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] So, 50 grand up for grabs in the Patty Power Eliminator competition and it’s free to enter. So get your entries in for Patty Powers Eliminator. So let’s kick off our preview for day one of Royal Ascot. And of course we start at 2:30 with the Queen Anne and at the moment Rosalian is your 2:1 favorite with Patty Power. Lead artist, your lock winner is 9 to2. Notable speech last year’s 2000 Guiney’s winner is 5 to1. Dancing Gemini is 11 to2. Diego Velasquez. Plenty of support this morning from Diego Velas. Diego Velasquez 14’s 12 10’s now nines with Patty Power. Diego Velasquez. Lake Forest price-wise in the racing post. Tom Seagull, he’s put up Lake Forest 9 to1. Carl Sparkler 12 to1 14 to1 Docklands and it is 22 to1 bar. So Rosalian Maddie play is your 2:1 favorite. That is skimpy. Yeah, he’s a very non-maddy horse, but he did end up being my selection. I just thought it was a promising run in the locking last time, which we all know was a bit of a difficult race to assess, but don’t forget this is a horse who took a huge step forward last season from New Market to the Kura. And although his ascot form from last year, some people can pick holes in it. I think it was more the style in which he won than the substance of the form. Um, you know, it was not an easy run through the St. James’ Palace is often a messy race and it was and he overcame all that and he did that on quite a few occasions last year. I think he’s just the real class act in this race. I am going to be looking at backing another horse at a bigger price but I think he is the right favorite. Anyway, you going to tell us that bigger horse at a bigger price? I will. He’s actually coming in um and me and Kes were talking about him just a minute ago and that’s Carl Sparkler. You I think pronounced his name slightly. You put KL Sparkler. You’re going to you’re going to That was before the show, Matt. You don’t have to tell everybody. You’re going to get there uh hopefully by the time the Queen Am rolls around. But yeah, this horse is actually top on adjusted racing post ratings. He’s a threetime group one winner, which is not something most the horses in this field can say. It was a career best last time in the Makers Mile. And I just think he’s got an awful lot in his favor. I mean, you’re not getting as much value now cuz he’s around 16 to1. I think he might even be 14s now. Um the 20s has gone. Maybe that’s Paul Keley who’s done that cuz I know he likes him as well. We’re 8 minutes into the show and you’re already giving out to me. Okay, I know it’s Carl Spackler. Carl Spackler. Maddie is giving a shout out to at 12 to1, but our first choice is the fav. It’s Rosalian. I think I heard Tunder been stolen there, Ke. Uh yeah, a little bit. Yeah. Um it’s funny. I was looking at the locking. I don’t know how you can be that confident about any of the four being the best of those four because obviously the two that finished first and second um lead artist darts in Gemini had a run uh and was a notable speech he finished alongside each other in third and fourth hadn’t so they’re all entitled to come on but I don’t see how you can be that confident I mean you look at Rosalian’s form last year yes he won two group runs afterwards but he beat Hartam at the cover I mean Hartam seven and one for listed race later on uh and they Well, I mean the the Henry Longfellow here, the Henry Longfellow that form’s pants, isn’t it? Like, you know what I mean? It’s just not very good. It’s not absolute superstar group one form, whatever you whatever you think about it. So, so yes, he might be the most likely widow because he is two for two to ask as you’ve got to you’ve got to take that on board, but two to one is short enough, isn’t it? Is he that much of a certainty to beat Notable Speech in the Guiney’s? You know, he he was very in and out last year, wasn’t he? But when he was good, he was good, you know. So, I don’t know. I just couldn’t get excited. So, I wanted to go for something different. And I knew Tom was going to tip Lake Forest because he’s been going on about it on and on and on and on and on. I hear anymore about Lake Forest from Tom Seagull. And he might be right. I mean, the mile might be absolutely perfect the way he finished in Australia over seven and a half furongs. He might be right, but I thought, well, the other one of interest has to be the the American now Australian um Carl Spackler just, you know, he’s like Matty says, won three of his four grade ones. The one he got beaten was the Breeders Cup Mile and he was drawn on the outside and chased too strong a pace and it was a big pace collapse. Right. The horse that won that race, he’d beaten twice in a row um before that and yes, he went too, you know, he went a little bit too hard, you know, he didn’t actually make the run in that day, but he he chased the pace um just went a little bit too fast. But in the Makers, Mark M, he was held up in in mid division and then made his move. And I think that’s that’s, you know, he’s got that versatility because I don’t particularly want him bombing out in the lead on the straight on the straight course. He looked good. I mean, it’s hard to to gauge much from what you see, but he looked good in that piece of work on the July course the other day as well. I thought he’s just a nice He’s a European bred horse as well, isn’t he? He’s by Lope Dega, you know. I mean, I don’t see any reason why he’s not going to handle a a So, he was he was tw It’s funny, right? This is the power of Paul Keley and Matty Play. He started this segment when he was 12th one. He’s now 11th in the last couple of seconds. Yeah. So, to make up on the front two like over two lengths to make up on them. So like they are going to take a big jump forward both of those and I think the straight mile is going to suit notable speech better than the round course did here last year. But it’s a fair amount of ground to make up as an Oills. Uh yeah, of course it I mean they are they are of course entitled to come on aren’t they? I mean that that’s one reason I don’t think you can be massively confident. I certainly wouldn’t back Rosalian. I can see the case of Dant Gemini. I can see the biggest price of the four. Well he’s now over three times the price of Rosalian who he finished two two and a bit lengths in front. Yeah. I mean that’s that’s just wrong isn’t it? I think it’s wrong. Yeah. Yeah. I would I wouldn’t disagree with that. Okay. So selection time then. Paul Gilly. Yeah. I back KL Spackler each way. It’s really tough. I I also like Carl Spackler, but if the price is now 11 to1, I don’t think I’d recommend him. I I’ll just stick with Rosalian and hope that he’s the class act. Okay, so it’s Rosalian for Matty and I am very much in the Dancing Gemini camp here Kier on shoe mark. It’s going to be an unusual week for him. H but top class jockey and he is on Dancing Gemini and I think he can kick off with a winner. Dancing Gemini 13-2. Moving on to the 305. It is the Coventry Stakes and Gestad the choice of Ryan M. It’s interesting reading the racing post today. If you read Aiden O’Brien’s comments, I rang him. I said, “Was it a hard choice for Ryan to pick between Gestad and Warsaw, who I was very impressed with at Navvern, and he basically said no, no, absolutely not.” That Ryan was always going to ride Gastad. So, Gastad is your 9-2 favorite. Military Code is 5 to1. Postmodern, how impressive was he at Yarmouth? He’s 13-2. American Gulf is 8:1 and is 9:1. Warsaw 9 to1. Rock on thunder 12 to1 along with Underriter. Power blue is 16 to1. And it’s 20 to1 bar. And we will get an insight. Don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten. We know that Kevin Blake is Joseph O’Brien’s racing manager. And we know that Kevin Blake will give us all the insight into the Joseph O’Brien runners. And in fairness to him, right, he does call a spade a spade and he fancies loads of them today. So Kevin will be with us very shortly and he’s going to be telling you all about and dab. But Paul Keley Rymore is on Gestad. Is this going to be another Adiden Bryan winner of the Coventry? Well, it might be, might it? But uh it wasn’t going to be the uh O’Brien Banker for this race, was it? That was going to be Albert Einstein. It was going to be a very short price. So he’s going to he’s now got the second his, you know, essential second string is now favorite. So obviously he was, you know, way considered way behind Albert Einstein. So I’m not that excited about backing him at that sort of price to be honest. I mean, it’s hard to get too excited about having a bet in the these races anyway, isn’t it? I always try to cuz it’s a Royal Ascuit race and you like to have a crack, don’t you? When I I’ve uh came down on the side of American golf, I just thought it’s one of those that was pleasing on the eye when he won at Windsor and he was very very well backed and he was drawn on the outside and he was beating two horses that were that had previous experience and had a better draw um near the rail and he just did it so easily. Uh, and I just like the look of him that the the Paul and Oliver Cole had world finished third a few years ago and obviously Paul Cole won the race three times in the 1990s uh at the peak of his powers. They know what’s needed and they seem to be quite excited about him and stable going well. Twisting Physics won at Newbury last week and you can just see all his horses seem to be running to the peak of their ability at the moment and it’s a I like that stable especially with juveniles. Yeah. Yeah. I like him. Yeah. So I think he’s got a chance but I mean you know it’s smallest bit of the day job you know just to just to have an interest because absolutely some massive prize winners of course uh uh Nando Parado won this 150 to1 I think it was 15 to1 Rashar last year 80 to1 last year Rashbar beaten two maidens won the commentary so it’s a race I think you have to just take with a pinch of salt sometimes so h it is American golf for you for us Murphy and Paul and Oliver Cole at 8 to1 Maddie yeah I like postmodern uh I came down on him I love a I draw. We’ve not really mentioned the draw. I mean, horses can win from anywhere. We know that. But if you gave me the choice, I’d always rather be drawn high on the on the straight course, providing that there is a bit of pace there, of course. Um, just really like what he did at Yarmouth and I thought the post-race comments were really interesting in that they didn’t expect it at all. Um, they were expecting him to come on an awful lot for the run. It was a bit of a surprise straight away. They were like, he’ll go for the Coventry. That’s his aim. There’s no Aiden O’Brien, you know, this is the second string. It’s it’s that’s the way he was going. um Bayasire is doing really well at the minute. Think he could have quite a few winners this week in Too Darn Hot and um yeah, I think he’s he’s a very exciting cult and I think he’s definitely one to keep on the right side. I agree. Talking about draw. Uh yesterday the going stick readings was standside 8.1, center, and far side 8.4, which if those readings are correct, suggest you don’t want to be drawn high. We’ll have to wait and see. Uh but but that’s it. the G stick regions yesterday were saying that it’s a fair bit faster down the center and the fast side. So we we we will have to wait and see and we haven’t we haven’t yet had an update after yesterday’s watering. I don’t mean I mean given the weather having they could put 15 mil on a day and it wouldn’t make any difference I don’t think you know and they can come from anywhere in this race. I mean in the last 10 years there’s not really been any assernable bias. Um so we’ll see. I like you, Maddie. Of all these and and and look, so many unexposed once race winners. Uh, of all these, and I’ve seen every single one of these in the races, in the replay, seen them live. There was only once when I went, “Wow.” And that was postmodern. Now, maybe we were lulled into that false sense of how well he was traveling because it was Jamie Spencer. But it’s seldom in any race over a sprint distance where you see a jockey basically taking a pull a furong out and he waited and was passed and then absolutely scoot a clear. Now, I don’t know what that form is worth. It’s hard to know what to make of it. It’s a bit in and out, but I just went after that race. I go, “Whoa, that is that’s the best juvenile I’ve seen so far this season.” It’s usually a highly regarded race. Like, decent horses run in that novice. I know that um I think was it um Good’s Age of Kings. They ran that in it last year and and he was very highly regarded. So, I’d be surprised if there wasn’t a couple of very decent horses in there. Yeah, absolutely. So, h postmodern, I’m now 7 to one. A massive drifter. Postmodern was 7 to2 yesterday. now 7 to1. Myself and Maddie are in agreement and Kees is with American Golf at 8:1. So there you go. That is your Coventry Stakes. And we’re introducing a new tipster to our good morning shows this week. This ladies and gentlemen, take note of this guy, right? Write him down. You know, when you hear about a footballer, you’d say, “Oh, he’s really good.” Like, write him down. You’re going to see him playing in the Premier League in a couple of years time. Write this guy down. His name is Harry Wilson, and he’s joining us all week. Let’s see what he fancies on Tuesday. [Music] My strongest fancy on the opening day of Royal Ascuit is reaching high in the 5:00. Willie Mullins has won the Ascuit stakes four times and has probably had this race in mind for a while since he joined him from Michael Stout. He ran a great prep for this when beating on the n over man and a half on his stable debut at Leopardtown last month and his pedigree scream stamina. His dam estimate won the gold cup for the royals at this meeting in 2013 uh under Ryan Moore who is on board today uh and he can provide the king and queen with the day one winner. He’s a strong fancy and warrants two stars. The second selection on the day is King’s Gambit in the Wolton. Uh I was a bit surprised to see James Door choose Hartum over Kings Gambit who looks to have the stronger form. He was a bit disappointing at Newbury last month when he was too keen in blinkers but it’s very easy to forgive that run and his his form from last year is very strong behind the likes of Alfa and Los Angeles. His running guitar showed that you retained all his ability and a mile and quarter on quick ground looks ideal. It’s an open race and he would be a one-star selection. [Music] Yes, folks. He him he’s the future. He’s the future. Are you worried Kes? He’s after your job. And be off, mate. He already needs a wind up, don’t he? Harry Wilson, Matt. He’s great. He’s very, very good. This guy has been just tipping winners left, right, center, inside, outside. No matter where it is, he just tips winners. Yeah. And I’m kind of worried because I said, “Who’s his nap?” And you told me, and my nap was in the same race and it was a different horse. So, okay. So, you’re taking on Harry today. I think so. We’ll see. I might change my mind by the time the the nap section comes around. So there we go. Harry’s Houdini act will be with us all week. He’s got two stars on reaching high in the Ascot Stakes and one star on King’s Gambit and I know somebody else is very keen on Kings Gambit into Wolfton as well. So stay tuned to find out who it is. Thanks for joining us Harry and we’ll see you again tomorrow morning. Moving on to the 340 at Ascot today. It is the King Charles the Third Stakes. It is a sprint of course. It’s over the minimum trip of five furongs. Last year’s winner, the Aussie Speedball Asura is now your 4 to1 favorite. Believing, do you believe in believing? Well, if you do, believing is 9-2. Night Raider maybe five furlongs is Night Raiders trip 7 to1. MGira is 8:1. Regional is 17-2. American Affair Nibbled that all morning American Affair into now 14 to1. Starless also 14 to1. Westre is 18 to1. It’s 20 to1 bar. It’s wide open. Paul Keley, you can make cases for basically everything in this race. Make your best case for your fancy. Of course you can. You can make cases for Lowe’s. I just thought at the price of Star was the one that was overpriced based on his ability. I mean last year he he started off, you know, a six furong horse and being a pro prominently ridden six furong horse, he was actually just about in front uh in the Commonwealth Cup a furong out uh but he wasn’t getting home. So went down to being a a hold up horse over five furongs suddenly finishes third in the nonport wins the breeders cup uh over five furongs when he came from last to first on that on that rail like you know those two pieces of form was good as pretty much as good as anything else in here you know I mean really really solid pieces of form yes he was below that hadock last time but but that was his return everything else in front of him was race fit he was under a group one penalty he wants them going hard uh stiff five furongs absolutely suit him down to the ground. I just thought he was I just thought he was a bigger price than he should be. You know, I fear as for because of the way she won the race last year and this this stiff five absolutely suits her too. But I just thought he was, you know, not not a massively wrong price, but just a little bit bigger than he should be. Okay, there we go. What every time I think of Starless, I think of that Stewart’s inquiry in the Breeders Cup. Do you remember when Ross Ryan was on the phone and it was done and Dustin in a couple of minutes and every time I I see Starless name, I go, “God, I wish we had Stuart’s Inquiries like that.” Done. Dust it. Forget about it. Couple of minutes gone. Not waiting forever. Yeah, absolutely. So, Starless for Kes in the King Charles. Starless at the moment is 14 to1. Maddie, I’m going to have a proper go at this race. Um, I think as for sets a standard, but she was beaten last time and the blinkers are on. So, they’re clearly reaching for a bit of improvement somehow. Um, I really like American Affair who’s again, as you say, been been nibbled this morning. um his handicap form twice uh beat JM Jungle who of course won the dash so that’s been boosted. I don’t think there’s an outstanding candidate in this race. I think like you say you can make candidates for uh you can make cases for everything. Um and you look back at the Temple Stakes run, he got blocked for a run at a really crucial stage and just was never really able to show what he could do. I think these are his ideal conditions. I think really quick pace. He’s going to sit off it. He’s going to lob away and he’ll come late. I think he’s um yeah, he’s an improving horse. Um funny for a horse in his position who’s been winning handicaps because he hasn’t quite looked the finished article last season. Still quite keen. Um and I just think there’s going to be loads more improvement. I think he’s he’s got a great chance. So, you’re going to have a proper goal. And I’m going to back another horse as well who um I think has got a big sprint in him. Whether it’s uh today, I don’t know, but I think Washington Heights gets underestimated every time he runs. Uh he is a group 66 though. Yeah. Well, he’s an old fav man. I’ve patched him loads of times at big prices. You got to give it a go. I think you know a good run in the Temple Stakes last time he was third finishing ahead of American Affair. He’s going to make the pace. So, it’s just whether he can maintain it to the line, but I think what he wants is a really strong test at five furongs. That’s what he’s going to get today. You’re going to get a big price about him. Stuck on really nicely last time. I thought that was a really improved performance nearing a career best and I could see him running well at a huge price. Okay, so give us those again Maddie. 66 to1 Washington Heights and American Affair I think he’s around 14s now so far. American 14 to1. There we go. So h Maddie is is going big in the King Charles II stakes. Um the one that I thought has been overpriced all week and is still overpriced is regional. Second in the race last year was only caught in the last kind of 50 yards or so by Esura. And I know Es had to move from one side to the other, but I thought regionals return and and and he’s had a reappearance um in the Alcod sprint that made an I thought he ran really well. I thought he kind of blew up a furling out and then stayed on again. And I I was surprised there was so much originally in the in the betting between believing and regional because I think that much of a muchness to be honest with you and I thought at 17-2 now I thought regional was perhaps the play in that 340 at Ascot. It is the key. No love for believing. What? No love for believing, is there? No. No. She’s drifting a little bit. 9 to2 now. Yeah. I mean, she’s got a right chance, isn’t she? I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. She’s a really good winner. Uh when she when she won on her return, she’s got cracking form. She was second in an unthought as well. Um it’s just the price, isn’t it? She’s the price she Frankle as well. Oh yes, absolutely. What’s your theory on these sprints? Okay, so I know Johnny Denine, of course, who’ usually be on the show with us here, he would look at this race and go, “Forget about it.” because you run that 10 times, you get 10 different results. It’s nonsense. You’re never going to get money back. And in these sprints, especially in handicaps, but this is obviously almost the betting wise, it’s like a handicap. Um, what would your theory be on these sprints, especially this week? I love sprints anyway, like, you know, I mean, I do I mean, I tend to look for I tend to look for a horse that’s going to be held up off the pace always, like, you know, so I’d be a little bit worried if if um what’s his name? Night Raider goes a bit fast or whatever. Like, so I’ll be looking for something that’s going to be held up and finishing strongly. That’s what you generally want that ascert. You can you can generalize too much sometimes, but it is a stiff finish, isn’t it? You know, so you know, but yeah, it doesn’t doesn’t worry me about saying, you know, you can say any handicap, you can say throw these up in the air, they land differently uh on a different day, you know, that’s that’s racing, isn’t it? It’s part of the fun. It’s not going to stop us trying anyway. No, certainly not. So, it’s selection time. Kills. Uh yeah, I just thought Starlust just thinks it’s just a little bit overpriced. And your first choice, Maddie, would be American Affair. I think Kes has said it there. There’s there’s a bit of pace in this race if Washington Heights goes forward and a couple of the others. Um that’s going to play right into his hooves. Oh, I like that. I like that. Have you used that before? I don’t know. It just It came It just came off the tongue. Yeah. Okay, there we go. That is the King Charles the third stakes. It is the 340 at Ascot. H Let’s move on to the St. James’s Palace Stakes. And this is the big one. This is the race where we could see something extremely special and Field of Gold is your 8 to11 favorite. Henri Matis is 7 to2. Ruling core to of course beat Field of Gold is 15 to4. Rashabar is 28 to1. Officer is 50 to1. 66 to1 first wave and Windlord is 70 to1. Right, Kes right field of gold. Are you a believer? Is this the best horse in training? I think he definitely could be the best Maro in training. Um might be the best horse in trainer as well. He’s going to go up in trip after this, isn’t he? Eclipse is an option. Yeah. Yeah. Which which would be great to see. Yeah. I mean, he could be, couldn’t he? I mean, he should have won the Guiney’s. Pretty sure he should have won at New Market. Uh and then he absolutely blew him away at the car. All things being equal, he wins, doesn’t he? I mean, he’s just he’s just a very very very good horse. So, you’re not you’re not a a short price pointer. Okay. What would what would entice you to feel? I was discussing this with a with a mate the other day. We were both saying we were tempted and I just said to him, “The problem is whenever I am when I do succumb to that temptation, they get beat.” All right. Don’t back him up. Do not back them today. So, I tend to try try and talk myself out of doing it. Like, you know, I mean, I’m just, you know, I’m never comfortable um having a chunk on at a short price. It’s just not me. Like, you know, and whenever I have done, I’ve lost more often than not. So, I’ll tend to I’ll tend to stay away, but I do think he’ll win. I won’t have a bet in the race. Um, if it’s not him, and I don’t think I’ll be getting involved. Okay. And if if people are taking him on, like what what’s his what’s his weaknesses? How could he be beaten? Like, I’m not sure he’s got one, you know? I’m not sure he’s got one. I just think you can put him where you want and he’ll and and he’ll he’ll quicken. Oh, that’s it. Yeah, he’ll he’ll quicken. [Laughter] You know, it’d be interesting to see what happens on the on the stands rail, funny enough, because uh I just had a go in just had a go update. Um yes, stand side 8.3. Was it was yes, it was. Yes, it was. You just give me a reminder, they the BHA have updated it. 8.3 standside, uh 8.3 center, 8.6 far side. Oh, quite a big difference. Oh, a lot of fast ground by that far out. Maybe interesting. We’ll see what way that’s going to play out. Uh field of goal. Surely you’re a believer. I said after he was beaten in the guineies I said he won’t be beaten again this season right he was obviously beaten again this season after he won the craven should I say h sorry after when he won the craven I said I let me get this right okay when he won the craven I said that horse will never be beaten when he was beaten in the guineies I said that horse will never be beaten again and when I seen him at the kura I said he definitely won’t be beaten again there is just something sometimes a horse comes along where you think that’s a generational talent and I think he’s not what you want because he’s only going to get better, I think. And I think today is the day where he might just go whoosh. And I hope he’s going to treat us to something really special. And I genuinely think at the prices he’s 8 to1 now. I thought a four to five and he was edging towards 5 to six at one stage earlier on this week. If you are a shorty punter, I think that’s a good price. Okay. I’m not and I would rather just sit back and enjoy the race. I’m not rich enough, DJ. If I had loads of money yet. Well, I’ll probably, knowing me, I’d probably put it on loads of 12 to1 shots anyway or something. But no, not in this race. Field of gold. I think he is the class act. This race is often messy, isn’t it? And of course, we’ve got how many pacemakers now? Definitely. Well, we think two, maybe more. Um, so hopefully that means that it’s a fair fight, but not necessarily. Sometimes they can throw a googly, can’t they, when they put horses in there. So, what scares you? What scares you about feeling? the tactics. Um I think in the past he’s been quite keen. He was keen in the craven. He could be keen if the occasion gets to him. Will you ask him a question? I’m trying. Say go on. Like I don’t think he will be. You’re saying give you’re saying give us a negative and when he does I’m trying. How could you find a negative about field of go? No, I don’t think there are many negatives. I love the way he settled last time, but he was on the outside. You know, if he gets involved in some skirmishing or something, maybe that could light him up. But I’m clutching at straws. I admit that. Um, no. I think he should just be a class above. I hope he is. Um, there’ll be people watching the show and they’ll be saying, “Ruling court has already beaten Field of Gold. He is four times the price of Field of Gold today.” Like, they do make a valid case because he’s done it and he did look very good in the guineies. But did you think the way the race panned out, if it panned out differently, feel a gold would have beaten him that day? Yeah, I think so. I think so. And um I I think we can get sucked into these narratives and and thinking certain things when in actual fact, you know, ruling court won the race and he was the best horse on the day and circumstances change and there, you know, you have to bear them in mind. Lots of good horses have been beaten in their careers. Um but I think on balance I do think he’ll prove to be the better horse. We’ll find out later on. Has he been messed around a little bit as well being trained for the derby afterwards? Yeah. Do you get to settle etc. like you know he had the trip to Epsom as well. Obviously he went there and there was a non manner. Well I think someone asked me about whether I was worried about that the other day and I thought well this horse’s travel to Maidan um so he’s probably pretty straightforward in that regard if he’s able to take in a race like that and then come off and win the gillies first time out. So maybe he’s um got a pretty good temperament but we’re just guessing really. Now I know our latecomer to the party who will be here soon hopefully. Hopefully Kevin if you can hear us hurry up. uh he’s really keen on Henry Matis. Um and there’s a lot of people thinking that he’s the horse that’s going to make a massive step forward. It’s going to be fascinating tactically because as I said in the in the piece in the racing post today, you associate Ryan Moore with, you know, nononsense taking look out of the equation. When you see him on Los Angeles later on the week, he’s going to be kicking on. If he’s on the best horse, he usually wins. Henry Matise is a holdup horse drawn and stall one. And it’s remarkable today. Rein six of his seven rides are drawn and stall one today. So for him today, it’s going to be really interesting because Henry Matise is going to need cover. He’s going to do some need to do some ducking and diving, some weaving in and out. Does he need cover or can they change tactics with him? Well, what what are they going to do? Well, I don’t know. I mean, he nearly stole the race on Henry Longfellow last year more, didn’t he? Like, you know what I mean? He’s just very very good tactical tactical rider, isn’t he? He’s exceptional. Is he is he going to look at it and say, “Well, actually, I might I might want to get first run and field a gold.” Do you want to sit behind a horse that quickens like Field of Gold does? But I would they they might be I don’t know. I’m guessing. But do you think they might be thinking we might have a more instant acceleration with Field of Gold? I mean, just because a horse is held up doesn’t mean he’s a confirmed hold up horse, is it? Just don’t know enough about them. They haven’t had that many runs, have they? You know, doesn’t mean, you know, a lot of horses are going to be far more versatile than uh than we allow for. Okay. I’m going to ask you a stupid question now because that’s what I do. I ask stupid questions. Okay. end of the season. We’ll say this time next year, right? We’re standing here hopefully all being well, we’re still all alive, right? We’re standing here. Oh god. And the conversation starts Field of Gold. How will we be talking about Field of Gold this time next year? Well, I hope as you know, one of the best mileers we’ve seen since Frankle. Yeah, that’s how highly you rate him. Nowhere near Frankle, but one of the best mileers since. Yeah. So if you’re saying that then surely that A to11 is value. Yeah. Don’t start don’t don’t start sucking me in. Don’t start sucking me in. We’ll get him. We’ll get him to get stuck into that 8 to11. Matty, do you agree? Do you think this time next year when we’re discussing Field of Gold, we’ll be saying we were there the day Field of Gold won the St. James Palace. I’m just a bit of a pessimist, DJ. So I wouldn’t quite get that carried away yet. I want more evidence. Um but I think he’s got all the potential in the world yet. Okay, so we have a unanimous panel here. It is Field of Gold and he is 8 to11 and I think that’s value in the St. James’s Palace Stakes. Moving on to the 5:00, it is the Ascot Stakes and Reaching High. Is Willie Mullen’s going to do it for the King and Queen? Reaching High is your 3:1 favorite. East India Duck who went so close to win the triumphal is 9 to2. Poneros who won the triumph hurdle is n is 9-2 as well. Lu Lamba is I’m only joking. Mansman is 7 to1. Alonsrand is 9 to1. Mr. Hamstead is 10 to1. Nurburg Ring. Joseph Brighton runs five in this race and we will find out about about those five very soon. Nurburg Ring is 12 to1. Divine Comedy who went so close in the race last year is 14 to1. Dawn Rising 18 to1 along with Lenser ascending. Could Henry the Brahmad have a first Roy Alaska winner? Ascending is 20 to1 along with Saturn and it’s 22 to1 bar. Maddie, this is utterly fascinating. It really is, isn’t it? Um, I like one of Willie Mullins’s horses who’s not the favorite and I think Pony Ross is in danger of being overlooked yet again. You know, he’s a similar price to East India Doc on their Triumph form. And now I know it’s not an exact science coming over to the flat, but Ponos is six pound better in on that run and he beat him and he beat him quite easily as well. He was a very good flat horse when he was trained by Rafe Beckett. Ran well in the London Gold Cup, which we know is reliable form every year. Um, I just think he should be favorite over reaching high. I prefer him. I think, you know, he’s got in there right at the bottom of the weights. William Buick’s on. Reaching high. It was a good performance last time out, but I wonder whether he’s done most of his climbing up the handicap now. It’s hard to say. Um, this trip is obviously going to bring out, you know, different qualities in all the runners, but I think Poniro is incredibly likely to not just stay it, but relish it based on what we’ve seen. And the other on Poneros while while you’re talking about Ponaros, one of the many many many many many reasons to buy a race and post the pre-race quotes in the race and post sometimes you know there can be you know a trainer mightn’t say too much but I thought Willie Mullins today in the racing post about Ponaros what he says is the way he’s going to be ridden they’re going to go back to the way they rode him in the triumph hurdle he’s going to be held on to and they’re going to come late because he thought at Punchestown maybe he was ridden a bit too aggressively at Punchestown so he’s going to be held up today I still thought it was a great run at Punch it was a good run He was beaten by a really good horse in Lamb. And I would say with Potters probably he might get confidence in passing horses as well. That seemed to be the case in the Triumph Fur. So if you do if you do fancy Potters, he’s going to be held up today. Well, that certainly. The other one I’m going to back uh is Nurburg Ring. Another Triumph Fur horse from a couple years ago. I think he finished fourth to Majbra. Uh won a big handicap hurdle. Uh Chasing, I really fancied him at Chelenham and he ran well. He he finished fourth. But I just think this is a horse who hasn’t been able to show what he can do yet. It was a terrible run last time. So you got to put that behind him. But hopefully that was just a case of getting him out, getting a run into him. And uh he’s got a more of a flat pedigree, you know, being by Zophony. Um and again, he’s um just a horse who I think is is going to be primed to the minute for this. So Ponos and Nurburg Ring for me. There we go. Two darts for Maddie in the Ascot Stakes. Paul Gilly, what have you cooked up for us here? I I I had a good bet on Ponyos last year at Royal Ascar. I just wonder whether he actually wants to ground as firm as he’s going to be. That that that question me and I think you just you absolutely have to fear reaching higher. I mean, this is, you know, if you’re going to have a bet in this race, then make sure you don’t lose if he wins because it’s obviously been the plan for forever and a day, isn’t it? You know, all these horses leaving Sir Michael Stout. The King’s got one with Sir Michael Stout, right? It’s out of um out of Estimate who won who won the Gold Cup. He sends it to a trainer in Ireland who just has an absolute specialtity of winning state races at at Royal Alaska. This has been the plan since he’s moved basically, hasn’t it? Like, you know what I mean? And Willie Mullins is rather good at that sort of thing. So, I mean, it kills, but he’s not won the race since 2018. Yeah. Yes, I know. Four times, he’s won he’s won it four times and he’s won races. No, I’m not I’m not saying he’s going to win. I I I I haven’t tipped him. I haven’t tipped him, but I will save him. But I just think Mansman just keeps improving, doesn’t he? Msman is just just a horse that keeps going forward. He was rated 46 in July 2023, you know, and he’s up there in the 90s now and he just keeps going forward. Every time he runs, almost every time he runs, he runs a career best. Now he, you know, he probably thought he won the set because he was on the far side of Alons Lrand. was finished really strongly at the depth there. Only just got beat in a short head. Come out ran second to Cabalo Demar who was ludicrously well handicapped at the time at S and was like 12 pound higher now. And then you know I thought he won again beating a horse that won very easily the time before Mr. Hamstead at Goodwood. I thought he picked him up on the line and did it very easily. And every time he runs he steps forward. Every time he goes beyond two miles he finishes very strongly. It’s the furthest he’s ever gone. I can’t see many horses finishing as strongly as he does and you know with a fair run of the race he’s just got to be on the premises isn’t he? Okay so Mansman who’s currently seven to one it’s been nicely supported man hasn’t it tipped up in the paper today by you and Mr. Seagull is probably more responsible. What do you think? Uh I’ll tell you now. Um last year I fancied in Tinso in the uh copper horse sticks and was pretty keen on it. Finished last. Didn’t run its race. Was keen and Bellacio flew by and I said to myself that’s a lesson. That’s a lesson because Willie Mullen’s in these races. So obviously, you know, jumps colossus, but I think reaching high, he’s been given this horse, right? So this is a year in the making for Willie Mullins to train a winner for royalty is a pretty big deal. So I think it’s towards the top of the pecking order for Willie Mullins is to get a winner at Royal Ascot for the king and queen. And they were shocked. They really were shocked with how well he ran in lepros. I by the market that day and the way he drifted and the vibes beforehand where this horse needed the run so badly. So I would say this huge improvement to come from reaching high and the one thing that he keeps saying willy time and time again is this horse’s pedigree is all about stamina. You won’t see the best of him until he gets a proper stamina test and he’s stepping up to 2 and a half miles today. I know he’s 3 to1 and you look through the race and it’s reasonably skimpy but to me he is the most likely winner. I think he could have huge improvement to come and he will be trained to the minute to peak today. So I think reaching high is going to win. He’s such a you horse. Is he a me horse? Yeah. So that didn’t No. No. Royalty. Royalty. Yeah. Yeah. There you go. It’s a compliment. Um no, I knew you were going to say that. No, he’s he’s he’s obviously got an obvious chance. And you know who else fancies him? The man who’s going to take Ke’s job. Harry Wilson. It’s his nap of the day. You saw it earlier in the show. Harry’s Houdini. His nap two star pick is reaching high in the Ascot stake. So I reaching high panas your first choice. Yes. Ponderos for you. Kills. Mansman. Mansman for kills at seven to one. Any sign of him? Any sign of Kevin Blake? Where is he? Kevin? No. He’ll be here in a few minutes. He’ll be here in a few. He promised me he will be here. I promise you. H. Moving on to the penultimate race on the card. It is the 535 and it is the nap of the week for me. Let’s have a look at the betting. Enthar is your 11 to2 joint favorite. Sons and lovers a massive mover. This is one of the biggest plunges of the day. 87 sixes 11 to2 now. Sons and lovers for Joseph O’Brien and Rymore. Draw and stall one like everything else for Rymore today. Um so they’re 11 to2 join favorites. King’s Gambit is the other big mover. King’s Gambit is 13-2. Hatim is 7 to1. Hurial Secret is 8:1. Torito was 10 to1. Maidan is 12 to1. 16 to1 Liberty Lane. And it is also 16 to1 Military Order. Haunted dream is 16 to1. Gallon is 18 to1. 22:1 is ambient friendly. Phantom flight is 33 to1. Check and challenge is 33 to1. Doha has 33 to1. And passion and glory is 40 to1. And the reason I gave you a big market check there is because the man of the moment ladies and gentlemen introducing Mr. Kevin Blake. Better late than never. Sorry guys. Where were you? Sorry. Where were you? Come on. Where were you? I was down at the um at the Golden Gates. Golden Gates, right? Um recording an opener for the opening show. Okay. And Matt Chapman was late. So my my sincere apologies. So Matt’s to blame. Okay. Always. Well, a very warm welcome to your debut on Good Morning Royal Ask. Thanks for having me. It’s great to have you. You’re you’re very topical at the minute, Kevin, because obviously people who watched the Derby at Epsom last week will know that you are now the trifecta king. You picked the first three now. Well, you kind of picked the first three. Clarify quick. Get in trouble. Get in trouble again. Now, to be honest, I thought it was overegged a bit. Who cares? You picked the first three in some sort of order in the derby. But, uh, the lads at Patty Power, they had a bit of a skit about it. Did you watch the Epson Derby the weekend, Mark? I’m sorry, the what? The Epson Derby. It was was on there on Saturday. The Epsom Derby. It is not called that. Okay. The race you’re referring to was the first of its kind and all other derbies around the globe are simply derivatives. So, while you have the Irish Derby, the Kentucky Derby, and the rest of those races, the race on the ups and downs on the first Saturday in June is simply called the Derby. Okay. So, bit of respect, right? Okay. Well, so Kevin Blake tipped up the dry cast. No, he did not. What? He didn’t tip up the dry cast. Okay. Kevin Blake put up three horses to finish first, second, and third. Those horses went on to finish first, third, and second. So, does that sound like a winner to you? Yeah, but they were huge prices. any reasonable person would have done a combination. Try cast. But he didn’t specifically say to do the combination, did he? So, he can’t take any credit. Okay? It’s a losing tip, a different outcome than what he said. So, if I walk into a a cafe and I ask for a ham and cheese sandwich and they give me a chicken and bacon sandwich, is that the same thing? Is that what I asked for? No, it’s not. No. What if they give you a cheese and ham sandwich? Oh, very smart. Okay. Well, you walk up to the counter in your bookies with your docket for a ham and cheese sandwich and let them see the result of a cheese and ham sandwich and see how much you get paid out. What are you talking about? Yeah, see exactly. You wouldn’t know one end of a horse from the other. Right. Okay. Well, I saw loads of people online thanking Kevin for his tips. So, you know what? I’m happy for them. Yeah. Being happy for them. It just shows you know nothing about racing. If Mark Walsh isn’t the next Curly Watts incarnation Street, I just give up. So tell me this, right? Okay, a few questions very quickly. Did you do the trifecta? No, I didn’t. I I think I’ve done one trifecta in my life cuz I did one. I put a combo TriCast up for the Grand National and I went and I did that and it didn’t quite work out. Wasn’t a million miles away, but didn’t quite work out. But it was just Saturday was just a mental day and it just didn’t okay. It just didn’t compute. It’s not a regular thing. So, I didn’t do it unfortunately, but thankfully um plenty of people seem to use their initiative and did it and got a few quid. So, that’s that’s fine for me. Well, your reputation has soared even though you got it wrong. I’ve never known a reputation to sore for somebody that got something wrong. His reputation has completely soared. Very well done. Uh Kes, he’s kind of like stealing the limelight here, but I know another man who’s not too far away from us that actually got the trifecta on the day you did it. Did you? Uh yeah, I did. Yeah. Yeah. I mean I mean look, Kev picked three horses and they finished first, second, and third and on Wednesday. No, they did. Hold on. They did. They did. They finished first. They finished first, third, and second. Let’s get this straight. Okay. You know, I suggested trifecta and exact perms for uh in my members club column, but I did put six horses in. I had six cracks at it. And you got it. You know what I mean? But I did get it. You wanted to pay. I did get it. Well, I just That’s the annoying thing when you start telling people what to do. I said, “Do trifectas.” So, I did the trifecta. It paid three and a half grand. the the dry cast paid 8 grand. Yeah. Yeah. Well, I know it was painful. The price of success. Right. We’ve got some big business to do there. Kevin Blake, we’ve already previewed five race. Okay. We’re going into the sixth race. Okay. So, we kick off with the Queen Anne. Rosalian is your two to1 favorite. Just to to to bring you up to speed on what the panel fancy. Maddie is a Rosalian fan. Kes and Maddie both think Carol Spackler is the overpriced one at 12 to1. I like Dancing Gemini. You’re the man of the moment. What does Kevin Blake fancy in the Queen? Yeah, I’ll give you another one alto together. Um Diego Velasquez um I think is overpriced. He’s being a bit penalized I think for not having had a run. Um he obviously was intended to run at Leopardstown. He went nuts in the stalls was withdrawn but he was heavily fancied that day and that was a month ago and it’s Aiden O’Brien. You know you know he’s going to have every screw tighten as tight as he possibly can coming here. And I just thought he came to himself back end of last year. Trip was the key. You know they tried him over further coming back to a mile um suits him really well. high pressure mile tactically like I think he he’s quite a simple ride and I I’m to be when I look at the the shape of the race I want one that’s going to be up in the van straight forward I think some of the big guns will be looking at each other out the back and playing jockeyies whereas the in my mind’s eye I can see Diego Velasquez up there kick for home and maybe steal the march you know I wish everything worked out as it did in my mind’s eye but that’s the way I’m seeing it one question is he good enough I think he is you know look do we know where the ceiling is where he met I don’t think we got to fully find out last season. I I understand why you’d ask it, but Aiden set out with him from the outset this year to train him as a miler, you know, whereas last year they didn’t really know. They were feeling their way and experimenting a little bit, whereas they know now what he is. They know he’s a miler. He love the ground. Um, yeah, I think he’s overpriced. Okay, so there we go. Diego Velasquez for Kevin in the opener. Diego Velasquez with Patty Perry at the moment is 17 to2. So there you go. That’s the first legier multiple, the Kevin Plague multiple. Moving on to the 305. It is a Coventry Stakes. Joseph O’Brien has and dab here. And for people that don’t know, you are Joseph’s I was calling you are you racing manager? I don’t know what you call it. I I work with him anyway. That’s Yeah, that’s your only job. Is it? I wear many hats. Yeah, you wear you wear quite a few. Okay, so tell us about and Tom Seagull is a big fan. Yeah, one of those kind of annoying situations you’ll be familiar yourself. He was 20 to1 a couple of days ago and now he’s shortened significantly. But um I can see why he has you know I think that that piece of form the Marble Hill is one of the stronger bits we have and there’s reason to believe that he’s better than that. Um he was a surprise on debut. He’d been a bit sleepy at home. He he’d won race course scallop finish mid div. You go to the races and he bolts up by five lengths. That’s what they can do. Um but he actually got he got a bit of a cut in the race and he just missed a little bit of time afterwards and Joseph felt that if he was to come to ask it he needed to run again. So he rushed the Mac a little bit for the marble the hill and when you watch that race in that context like he’s bang in the mix until very very late and maybe just those few missed days just caught him and I think with the way Joseph is training the 2-year-olds this year he’s been much more gentle with them at home I’m in my own mind compared to the last three or four years I’m kind of building in more runto- run improvement so based on what he did last time his form puts him in the mix and with those added variables I’d be hopeful he’ll improve Diego Velasquez into Andab at 9 to1 in the Coventry. The 340 is the King Charles the third stakes. 4 to1 the field. As far as your favorite, what do you like? Less strong opinion here. Megiraa. Um she’s been booming this year for Ed Walker. Um type of Philly she is. Misses the kick. You know, hell love come late. This type of race will be perfect. They’ll go a million in front of her and she’ll be finishing off well. Do we know if she’s up to the standard yet? No. But I don’t think we quite know where the ceiling is with her. And I think this type of race will bring out her very best. Lovely. Megira, a bit of a mover. 10 into eights for Miraa. 420. Probably no need to spend any time on this. St. James’s Palace. Feel of gold. A good thing. Yeah, I’ve gone a bit windy on him. I’ve gone a little bit windy on him. Yeah, sorry. Why are you gone windy on him? I’ve just gone a little bit windy on him. Why? What’s wrong? He’s been busy and I know he’s thriving for it, but look, he’ll be he might be the only odds on favorite this week. And I think you just have to be poking at them a little bit. And look, if he goes and wins, am I going to fall down in shock? Of course not. But the more the closer we get and the more I look at it, um I’m I’m coming around to Henry Matise because I don’t know where the ceiling is with him either because we know with him he gets to the front and he he thinks that’s it. You know, I think they’re going to go rapid here. It’s a lovely oldfashioned Royal Lascot group one pacemakers two of them. They’re going to go flat out and beautiful Colin Keane will be saying thank you very much. Oh, he it’ll suit him too, don’t get me wrong, but Henry Matise is quick and there won’t be as much pressure on him as there is on Colin and Field of Gold and maybe they’ll just end up following him and try and try and have one go with him late. I just think the differential in the price is a little bit bigger than it should be maybe. Okay, so Kevin is with Henry Matise H in the 420 to St. James’s Palace Stakes and the Ascot Stakes was the last race we previewed. Reaching high is your 3 to1 favorite. What does Kevin Blake like in this Joseph was five in the race? Yeah, we tried to have all 20, but we a few got balloted out. Um, no. So, let’s start. Let’s start with my guilty pleasure. Okay. One of these days. One of these days. The Naked Attraction. Comfort. Yeah, we Sorry, that was a reference to I asked no questions. We watched Naked Attraction in the house last night. It was an eye opener for Kesh. Uh, so Comfort Zone is going to win a massive race one of these days. I thought it might be over hurdles. I fed him in the Carl Cup. He was a massive plunge. He jumped terrible. Didn’t enjoy it. Is today the day for comfort zone? How is he? I could see it. I’m finding it in my own mind a little bit difficult to split him and Nurburg Ring. I think of the five, they’d be the two with the best chance. Okay. Um and look, he the last time we saw him on the flat, the second last time we saw him on the flat, he was very good at Nace. Yes. Um I think this type of race will suit him well. He’s the right type. You want a lovely relaxed horse for this ideally. It’s obviously an extreme test. It’s going to be warm. You know, all week we’re going to be looking for horses in the parade ring. for a race like this, you you do not want to be melting in the braid ring practically going two and a half miles here. So look, he’s been trained for it ever since Chelton essentially. So you know, today’s a good day to be with him. He’s a big price, I thought. But Nurburg Ring ran so well in the two best staying ch staying handicaps we had in Ireland last year, the Irish and the Batingo. Flew home both times like I think an extreme test of stamina will suit him. Little bit worried about the ground. It’ll be the quickest he’s been on. And I look at mentioned the third one, Lensster. If he relaxes a little bit better than a Chester, you know, he he was he would his preference was the copper horse over the shorter trip, but he wasn’t going to get in. So we said, “Look, we’ll roll the dice and hope that he relaxes a bit better at Chester cuz that just cost him late.” But he ran very well, you know, very close up behind East India Dock unexposed profile. If he does the right thing in the first half mile, then nothing would surprise me with him either. So what’s the selection? It’s Nurburg Ring, but it’s only narrow. It’s only narrow. Like I people have been asking me and I said have a few quid on him and comfort zone if you’re that way inclined but if if you’re pinning me to one it’s it’s Nurburg right there we go so it’s two Joseph Bry winners so far Roy Ascot and there might be more to come that is the 5:00 the Ascot stakes and we were just about to start our preview of the Wolfton and this is now favorite folks so it was a much bigger price last week it was a much bigger price this morning sons and lovers Kevin Blake is now your 5 to one favorite holy god this is a wholesale gamble now. Yeah, but look at he was put in very big, David, but they put him in at 33s when when the the entries came out, which I couldn’t quite understand that he’s been he’s been trained for the race all season. Um I thought his two runs this season have been beautiful, particularly last time, you know, it’s just been trying to get him to relax and do the right thing and with a view to come in here. Um everyone’s been delighted with him. Preparation’s been super smooth. He’s the fellow riding him’s all right. Um draw now if I was picking M apparently. Um if I was if I was picking a draw, it wouldn’t have been stall one. You would have loved to have been five or six or something like that, but that’s being picky. He’s going to go be taken back to relax anyway. So, um look, I can see the case. I’m not surprised he shortened. Um I couldn’t put you off in any way. Um Galen’s in there as well, but I think a penalty is going to make it tough for him. Talented horse if he got an uncontested lead, which I on odds are I don’t think he will. He’d be dangerous, but that penalty might just anchor him a little bit. But very talented horse. Okay, that’s a lot of talking in the short space. Take a little break. No, I’m happy. Take a nice deep breath. Maddie Waltherton, what have you got for us? You love Empar. I hate this race. I think it’s so hard. I don’t know what to make of it. Originally, I like Liberty Lane. I thought he was just running into really good form, but I’m now worried about the ground, although he is drifting out to a nice price, but he’s been pulled out on similar ground before. Just thought that of the horses, he’s the now horse. you know, he’s got that good listed win last time um at Goodwood and he was arguably a little bit unlucky before that at Chester. Um but then yeah, the ground has worried me. So I ended up just scratching around. I also think Phantom Flight’s going to run quite well. Um put in some big improving efforts in Bahrain in the winter and then was a cracking run last time at Sandam when he was third to Ombudsman and Alakam obviously. Um that form could be proper group one form before long. Uh he’s got a big weight. He’s a huge price. I don’t have a clue. Don’t don’t ask me. Okay. Okay. So, what what was the selection there in the end? I think I’ll go for Phantom Flight just because I think that run last time was an improved effort. I think you could probably mark it up and um it’s it’s good for Okay, Kes, what wins to Waltherton? Yeah. Well, in terms of form, King’s Gambit was well overpriced when he was double figures uh on what he’s done. I mean obviously he rattled home to be second at JRB last year in the Hampton Court group three and then got half length in pair of group twos by Al Flaylor and Los Angeles who is you know 9 to4 uh to win the Prince of Wales at group one. This is a listed race he’s got you know he’s got the best for to my eyes you know he hasn’t repeated that in a couple of starts since although it wasn’t bad in Katar and I just think it’s a case of simply not taking to blinkers and being way way way too free at Newbury. I’m always one for giving a horse one bad run and I just think if he comes back to anywhere near his best form, he’s a massive player now. He’s he is into seven to one 13 or two or whatever. So, he’s getting more towards the price he should be. Um but I think he’s got a proper chance. Okay, so well come on now Dave, tell the nice people what was the headline in the racing poll last week from you now. Go on. I don’t care what’s against them. H Mchar is winning the world for 10. Look with M. That was confidence levels. That was confidence levels. and then you kind of look through the race and you go actually it’s a decent enough race. But I think with Mchar what you’ve got here is a horse. Obviously the conditions of the race is no group one or group two winners the last two seasons can run it. So I just think he is your typical proper group two horse running a list at race. I loved his run in the brigadier Jared. I thought it was just your perfect pipe opener for this race. Couple of things. Shadwell won the race last year with Isra. Similar enough profile temperature. H Roger Varian has won it twice since 2020. And I’d say it’s no secret that this has 100% been the plan for MCR. I liked his profile last year, even when he was beaten by Persic at Air. I thought there was enough to suggest that he was going to be even better this season than he was last season. I think the pace of the race really going to suit. I’m actually happy that he’s got an inside draw. I’d say Jim will probably try and sit somewhere in the box seat between maybe fourth and seventh on the inside. And when I go through this race, Kings Gambit is the one that really scares me because I think Kings Gambit on a going day is probably the most talented horse in the race. But Mjar has just been cherry ripe for this race. So, and he’s drifting out now to 11 to two. He was a short of seven to two yesterday. So, I am very much in the Mjar camp. He is my banker of Roy Ascot 2025. There you go. That’s one for them. Was that all right? Beautiful. Yeah, that was all right. Okay, there we go. And finally, the 610 at Roy Ascot. It is over a mile and six. It is the Copper Horse Stakes. French Masters 5-2. Charlott is 9-2. Cabello the Mar is 5:1. Aeronautic is 9 to1. 10 to1. My mate Mozzy 11 to1 bar right Kevin Blake Joseph has had one two three winners by now okay he’s not going to win the last is he I I feel like such an idiot Dave because we this happens every year look I in seriousness I couldn’t emphasize enough to you how important this meeting is to Joseph and the whole team there like big international team of owners like you’re trying your best to get the biggest possible best possible team here and you come here every year and if you get one you’re so happy and you be delayed tonight cuz you have three already I know I know but this is why I feel like such an idiot because I know how hard it is I know It’s not going to happen. But I’m just giving you my view at the at the same time. And I do like this horse as well, you know. Do you think I was just saying before, do you think you are cuz you’re a race analyst first and foremost? You’re a pundit. He’s a lot of things. Well, yeah. Do you think you are nonbiased? Honestly, I think it’s impossible. That could be a good career move these days. Jesus. Nonbiased. Look, it’s it’s hard not to be at times. Look, I spend so much time thinking about these horses and I I know them better than any other horses. So, um, it’s and I, you know, you’re you’re conscious of being seen to go with them the whole time, but I I think the policy is tell the truth and I fancy them. Say I fancy them as much an eg as you feel at time. Just to let viewers know. Okay. So, for graphic purposes, we have to get the selections of people before the show. And I was going through Kevin. I was going, “So, here I was right in the right. Jose O’Brien.” Joseph Brian. And then we came to the last race and he goes, “You’ll never guess what? This is my nap of the day. This is your strongest Joseph O’Brien fancy.” I think so. Like it’s it’s it’s a competitive heat now. It wasn’t the standout, but I just think the horse is the right profile. Look, this is a mile six handicap for four-year-old plus. Most of them we know loads about. We haven’t seen loads of him. You know, this is what going to be his his sixth lifetime start and he just even when you watch back his even at up to his, you know, third, fourth run last year, he was still showing signs of rawness like he was a slow burner and he’s just been very good this season. His his comeback run was lovely. He’s just he can be a little bit fresh and Joseph ran him over a shorter trip and you could see he was just a bit fresh and alive and getting that out of him would be will be a help to him and his work’s very good and look look he give you every impression of being a stakes horse but Dave I promise you Joseph has come here with stakes horses in the past in handicaps and it didn’t happen it didn’t even come close to happening and they go and prove themselves later but this is just such a cauldron of competitiveness that you just being well handicapped just isn’t isn’t enough you need to get a kind spin on the day two So if one of them today Dave, if one of these wins, that’ll do me. So Aeronautic is 9 to1. This has been the plan for ages, hasn’t it? Oh yeah. Yeah. Yeah. But this look has likely we start talking about Royal Ascuit in January. Okay. You know, genuinely, you know, that’s the I can’t emphasize how important it is. And you’re trying to figure out what might fit in where, you know, back that far. And then you’re just trying to deliver them there. And that’s Joseph’s job. Hopefully he’s done it right this week. Four, four Joseph O’Brien winners. We just write that down. Four Joseph O’Brien. That’s a Jose O’Brien lucky 15. Sons and Lovers, Aeronautic, Nurburging, and Andab. It’s not going to be like this all week now. He’s heavily frontloaded to the first. If Joseph O’Ne doesn’t, you were late today, right? If Joseph O’Ne doesn’t have a winner, at least one winner, just don’t bother coming in tomorrow. Okay, Maddie, what wins the finale? I was going to keep it straightforward with French Master. uh really loved what he did at Goodwood and the fact that the Gossen team chose to run him in that race is seemingly significant because it’s the same race they run. Courage Monomy in before he won his Gold Cup. This is not a class of a Gold Cup. Um and I thought the style of the way he won. He was giving all the time. He was responding to pressure and he looked like a horse who was just beginning to come into his own. Um I think this this trip is going to be ideal for him. They’ve put the blinkers on, which I like. I like that. I think he’s going to need sort of waking up and sharpening up a bit. It’s not an original selection, but I think he’s got loads in his favor and I’d be very surprised if he wasn’t in there in the heat of battle. I mean, with you look at Charles, I mean, it’s impossible to know sort of what his handicap mark is. He’s got I think he was second in a listed race, was it in France for John Claude Bruge? Um, totally unexposed over this trip, though. I mean, he he hasn’t run over more than one mile, two on the flat. He hasn’t run on fast ground in the past year. He’s won a maiden have been taled off in a trial at 66 to1. I think he’ll win any with any other trainer he’d be. What are you basing that on? I’m basing it on Willie Mullins. WP Mullins Bellio last year. Is this horse any worse than Bachio? I’d say he’s probably better than Belio. What? How? Because on what? On what basis? On the on the basis of this is his chosen one for this race. He’s booked Rymore DJ. I think I think we every so often you can trust the trainer rather than the horse. This is one occasion where you have to trust the trainer. I I can see that case. But this this to me was a race for for me doing my exactors and trifectas leaving out front two in the B because I thought I thought French M is a bit of a loon myself. I he ran in snatches and you know I mean yes the blinkers might wake him up. They might wake him up too much. I don’t know. But but you know if he if he runs his statuses like he did at Goodwood he’ll find himself in all sorts of trouble around Ascar, won’t he? Like you know without sh and I genuinely believe that Charles would be 10 times the price if he was trained by anybody else. So I just Yeah, but that’s stupid. He’s not trained by anybody else. I know, but I’m looking at the prices and I’m thinking I can get these two beat. I know how popular they’re going to be. So I’m going to oppose them now. One of them is going to be Aeronautic. I put Barno in. Uh Barzo ran a blinder behind Kip, especially as he missed the break. I know he didn’t go massively fast early, but he finished strongly. Uh, and I really like that piece of form. And obviously, uh, Ashie Murphy, Ashie Murphy booked by Natalyia Lucini. Booked by Yeah. Yeah. Uh, Fairbanks, if Fairbanks was still trained by Andrew Bordon, he’d be half the price. He’s done nothing. He’s not though. He’s done nothing wrong since, is he? He’s running two. He’s won the second one very easily. Like, you know what I mean? Some of his form last year when a runner up with Goodwood winning a big big race at at New Market. It’s rock solid. Rock solid handicap form. He’s only a couple of pound higher now. That’s got a right chance. Um, Cabalo Dear was the other one I was going to put in. And Champagne Prince, very interesting. I like he has How many horses are you tipping? I’m putting five in exact trifectas. I told you that. Um, Champagne Prince has improved 20 pound on the all weather since he last round on turf. But the handicapper said, “Well, hang on a minute. It might not be all of that.” So, he’s only given him 10. So, he could be really well handicapped. I like Champagne Prince. I think the pedigree best turf formers here. I think the pedigree is very stout as well. is out of a man made up who just stayed all day and like you say totally unexposed on the turf. I really like champagne prince. So can can we just put them in some sort of order for the viewers? So your first choice would be uh Fairbanks Barzo, Champagne Prince, Aeronautic, Cabalo Demar if Imagine just imagine you got that right and imagine they actually finished an order. Not like nonsense here. You didn’t get the right one 342 is no good for you. H I I just I’m trusting the trainer with Charlotte. I will give a shout out to Jesse Evans. Tom Seagull has taken the price a little bit now into twelves put up in his pricewise column. But Jesse Evans just looked to be loving life last time at Balen Ro. He just looked like he was as fresh as a daisy even though he’s been running plenty. I think he’s got a cracking chance. Jesse Evans for no meat. But I’m going to trust the trailer with Charlotte in the copper horse steak. So that is our seven races preview. Before we reveal the allimp important charity bets, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to the show. Get your views into the show. Tell us what you fancy. Tell us who’s talking nonsense on the panel. Mainly me, of course. And uh what do you make of Kevin Blake’s Lucky 15 as well. So like and subscribe on the show. We’re trying to get as many likes and subscriptions as we can. So there you go. Like and subscribe to Good Morning Royal Ascot. And tell us what you think. Comment and get involved in the show. We might mention it tomorrow morning. So here we go. This is important. Okay. For great cause, Charity Bets, Patty P, our good friends. Thank you very much, folks. Is giving us 50 quid. Now this has gone really well at Entry. It’s gone really well at Chatam. So, no pressure Kevin Blake. Well, well, you know what’s changed if if something changes. The best bet on day one at Royal Ascot the 50 courtesy of Patty Paris going on. Uh, Aeronautic win only because you know charity win only 9 to1 50 quid on aeronautic 500 quid hopefully going the way of our charity Maddie play. For the graphic I went 5:00 ascot pony for the graphic. I’ve changed my mind now. I I’ll go with Pony Ross. But I do No, no, no, no. Go with what you actually think is the best bet. Yeah. Well, hopefully Pony Ross. You’re sticking with Pon Ross, but I really do like American Affair in the King Charles. Okay. Okay, there we go. So, Maddie is splitting her stakes. Do you want to do you want two? We’ll give you two. 25. Go on then. 25 on American Affair and 25 American Affair goes in the King Charles the third stakes and Ponaros is in the Ascot stake. So, there you go. That is Maddie’s two charity bets. Paul Key. The biggest certainty of the day is that if Joseph O’Brien has four winners, some loon will come out on Twitter and say Kevin didn’t actually tip him. You say some loon singler one. Uh I’m going to go King’s Gambit in the Wolverton. Uh price come in a little bit now, but I think he’s I think he’s a quality horse. Okay, we’re taking each other on. So Ke is with King’s Gambit at 13-2. And I am an Mchar fan. So mchar my 50 quid is going on mchar at 11 to2 that is it that is it for day one of good morning royal ask my thanks eventually apologies to Kevin Blake to Mattie PL for joining us for the whole show Kevin and to Paul Keley as well Maddie you’ll be back with us later in the week K you’ll be back with us tomorrow and Kevin will be with us for the rest of the week as well thanks for watching good morning Royal Ascot enjoy day one of what is the best week of the summer sun is shining we’ve got some glorious racing ahead. Thanks for watching.