6f Coventry Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (2yo)
Two horses dominate the betting after highly impressive trials that attracted plenty of media attention. Both deserve short prices and I’d be more keen on the favourite, River Tiber, as he’s by my favourite sire Wootton Bassett and has clearly been well backed by those close to him. I’m always happy to swing at bigger prices in these 2yo heats, though, and Wootton Bassett also sired BUCANERO FUERTE, a full brother to Prix de l’Abbaye winner Wooded. Successful on soft ground in the opening 2yo race of the Irish flat season, he will have no issue with the rain that’s fallen this morning and looks like a big horse who will relish stepping up in trip. Kevin Stott has picked him ahead of two others in the race and his trainer has patiently targeted this race. His Irish form ties in nicely with third-favourite Givemethebeatboys and I like the price of 14/1 – with bigger on the exchanges.
1pt win Bucanero Fuerte @14/1, 15:05 Royal Ascot, Tuesday
1m (7f213y) (Rnd) St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Colts) (Class 1) (3yo)
English and Irish Guineas winners Caldean and Paddington clash alongside French Guineas second Isaac Shelby. I prefer Paddington on ability terms but stall eight on the round course on good ground is very difficult to overcome and I’ve been tempted to have a go at CICERO’S GIFT now he’s drifted to 11/1. I don’t mind the drift because public money will be behind the big yards and the horses with Group One form. Cicero’s Gift is stepping up in class but won impressively at Goodwood and won’t be here for a nice day out. He’s unbeaten from three starts, won’t mind any cut in the ground and has a plum draw in stall two. His Goodwood form has received a few boosts since – albeit at a much lower level – and I liked the way he ran through the line last time.
1pt win Cicero’s Gift @11/1, 16:20 Royal Ascot, Tuesday
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