Battaash winning the 2020 King Stand Stakes© Photo Healy Racing
There has been plenty of early morning activity on the betting markets for the opening day of Royal Ascot.
Palace Pier is proving very strong in the opening contest at 14:30 The Queen Anne Stakes. The Frankie Dettori partnered son of Kingman looks like being sent off the shortest-priced favourite of the week with his price contracting to 4/11 in places as the two Aidan O’brien trained runners are proving friendless in the market.
The American trained Kaufymaker is on the drift in Coventry Stakes at 15:05 as each-way support comes for Andrew Balding’s Berkshire Shadow 14/1 to 10/1.
The 2/1 is drying up about Battaash winning back-to-back King Stand Stakes at 15:40.
Richard Hannon’s Chindit (8/1 to 6/1) has been the only early mover in the wide-open St. James’s Palace Stakes at 16:20. He has ground to make up on both Poetic Flare and Lucky Vega from the Newmarket 2000 Guineas where he finished fifth beaten just over four lengths.
Irish Cesarewitch winner Cape Gentleman (6/1 to 4/1) now heads the market for the marathon Ascot Stakes at 17:00. Original favourite M C Muldoon (11/4 to 5/1) is the other Irish-trained runner at the top of the market.
The Wolferton Stakes at 17:40 has been quiet on the betting front with Patrick Sarsfield heading the market at 4/1.
The Willie Mullins-trained Saldier is a steady 11/4 chance for the concluding handicap at 18:10 but there is money for three others towards the front of the market. Global Storm (5/1 to 4/1), Throne Hall (10/1 to 7/1) and Arthurian Fable (12/1 to 8/1) all have their supporters.
