Poetic Flare (check cap) winning 2000 Guineas at Newmarket© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Jim Bolger is enjoying a renaissance year with his three-year-olds and Poetic Flare can once again show himself to be one of the best of his generation in the Group 1 St. James’s Palace stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot.
The homebred son of Dawn Approach has performed with credit in all three 2000 Guineas, winning in Newmarket before finishing a close sixth to St Marks Basilica in Paris and then just six days later going down by just a short-head to stablemate Mac Swiney in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh.
Poetic Flare, 7/2 favourite with 888Sport, had seven of today’s rival behind at either Newmarket and/or the Curragh and there is no reason to suspect he won’t confirm his superiority here.
Palace Pier won the 2020 running of the St James’s Palace Stakes and look unopposable in the opening contest of the Royal meeting, the Queen Anne Stakes which goes to post at 2.30pm.
He has five pounds and more in hand of his rivals on official ratings and comes here off the back of two comfortable victories, so it’s not surprising that he is quoted at a prohibitive 4/9 with 888Sport.
Shock 40/1 Breeders’ Cup winner Order Of Australia comes out second best on figures but lacks a recent run and it may be prudent to look elsewhere for forecast options.
Two Irish-trained horses look to have solid chances in the Coventry Stakes, Listowel winner The Acropolis trained by Aidan O’Brien and his son Donnacha’s Masseto, but neither can be a confident selection with the Wesley Ward-trained American challenger Kaufymaker topping the betting.
The only filly in the line up comes with a big reputation and represents an outfit with a 14% strike rate with runners at Royal Ascot. Kaufymaker is 4/1 favourite with 888Sport to provide Ward with a first winner in this race.
Coeur De Lion is 12/1 with 888Sport to win back-to-back renewals of the long-distance Ascot Stakes. Alan King’s charge won this marathon test last year in a first-time visor and the same headgear replaces cheekpieces for today’s assignment. There is plenty of Irish interest in this contest with six runners including three representing Willie Mullins who has won this race on three previous occasions.
Whatever the fate of the Mullins trio in the Ascot Stakes the trainer should bag the concluding contest on the opening day with Saldier. The 5/2 chance with 888Sport comes here off the back of a very easy victory in an Amateur Riders’ race at Listowel nine days ago and the mount of Ryan Moore will be difficult to beat again.
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