by Charlie McCann
The opening day of Royal Ascot 2015 begins with, arguably, the most eagerly-anticipated contest of the whole week with the Hong Kong superstar Able Friend locking horns with France's Solow (2.30) in the Queen Anne.
Able Friend is unbeaten in his last half dozen starts, as is Solow, all around the right-handed Hong Kong track at Sha Tin. Visually the horse has been very impressive but there must be question marks about the value of the form and I have been a fan of Solow since his win in the Group 2 Daniel Wildenstein at Longchamp on Arc weekend back in October.
The form of the Lockinge received a boost when the third home Arod won impressively at Epsom on Derby day and the first two Night Of Thunder and Toormore re-oppose this afternoon. It will be interesting to see what tactics are employed by the two Richard Hannon trained runners but it is Solow (6/4 at BetVictor) who gets the nod in a vintage renewal of the Group 1 contest.
Jim Bolger saddled the winner of the Coventry Stakes with Dawn Approach back in 2012 and the Irish handler has made no secret as to how highly he rates Round Two (3.05) who races in the blue of Godolphin. The colt has won both his starts at Naas and the Curragh in the manner of a top class juvenile and it will take a decent sort to lower his colours.
Finnegan is bidding to become the first American trained winner of the event and any juvenile trained by Wesley Ward is respected. At a bigger price look out for a big run from Ode To Evening (20/1 at BetVictor) who looked smart when scoring at Musselburgh last time.
Sole Power is looking for a hat-trick of wins in the King's Stand Stakes and is a worthy market leader but I have been waiting for Muthmir (3.40) to be given the opportunity to race over five furlongs on fast ground for some time. The selection landed a Group 2 on rain-softened ground at Chantilly last month and this could be his time. The north's Mecca's Angel will ensure there is no hanging about but the hope is that Muthmir (5/1 at BetVictor) can run her down late on.
Newmarket and Irish Guineas' winner Gleneagles (8/13) is long odds on favourite for the third and final Group 1 on the card but I just favour the French Guineas winner Make Believe (4.20) in what promises to be another wonderful contest. The son of Makfi has never raced on good ground but there is nothing to suggest he won't be as effective on today's surface and at 7/2 with BetVictor he looks sure to go close.
From a personal point of view I am disappointed to see Latharnach stepped up to Group 1 company as I thought he was an accident waiting to happen in less exulted company having run really well over what looked an inadequate 7f at HQ on his reappearance.
Ray Ward (5.00) is another who ran over an inadequate trip on his reappearance (10f) and he moves up another ten furlongs for the marathon Ascot Stakes. The selection met trouble in running in the corresponding race last year and at 6/1 with BetVictor he can reward each way support.
In the finale the eye is drawn to Ruby Notion who scored on dirt at Churchill Downs on her only start to date but preference is for Soapy Aitken (5.35) who has won both his starts in the manner of a class act. The draw in stall four is a slight concern although Dream Dreamer has early pace and is housed near to the Clive Cox runner. At 5/1 with BetVictor another who should reward each way support.
I can pass on a good word for Jebediah Shine (5.50) in the finale at Thirsk and over the jumps at Stratford Knockyoursocksoff (4.35) can recoup last week's Fontwell losses when connections went for a touch but bumped into another well-handicapped rival. He can go one better.
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