Royal Ascot Day 1: Best bet, each-way selection and treble
Recommended bets include:
Royal Ascot bursts into action on Tuesday afternoon as the first of five thrilling days at the Berkshire layout brings with it a trio of Group 1 offerings.
Chief amongst them will be the St James's Palace Stakes as the first and second from the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket last month, Bow Echo and Gstaad, clash once more.
Here is everything you need to know for day one, including the day's best bets.
Day 1 - Key info
First race: 14:30 Queen Anne Stakes
Feature race: 16:20 St James's Palace Stakes
It is the first of five brilliant days of action at Royal Ascot and the meeting begins with its traditional flurry of top-class action, including Group 1s in three of the first four races.
Australian raider Overpass is bidding to become the latest winner of the King Charles III from Down Under, while the unbeaten Bow Echo looks to cement his status as the best three-year-old miler in the feature after his demolition at Newmarket.
Best bet of the day
Opera Ballo to win the Queen Anne Stakes (14:30) @ 7/2
The opening Queen Anne has attracted nine runners and Charlie Appleby is responsible for three of them, including favourite Notable Speech – impressive winner of the Lockinge at Newbury last month.
He's the one to beat but stablemate Opera Ballo is a year younger and perhaps still on the rise based on his wins at Meydan and Sandown this year. He dismissed Zeus Olympios at Sandown having made the running, had enough in reserve to fend off the fast finish of Field Of Gold and could take the next step up the ladder here.
Best each-way bet of the day
Aspect Island each-way in the King Charles III Stakes (15:40) @ 66/1
Aussie raider Overpass is bidding to become the third raider from Down Under to win this Group 1 sprint in five years and holds leading claims in a wide-open renewal.
One that might outrun a massive price is Aspect Island for the in-form James Owen yard. The Showcasing colt put in a big effort when third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in November and sports first-time headgear now with Silvestre De Sousa in the saddle.
He did a little too much too soon at York last time and could go well here if tracking the pace from a bit further back.
Day 1 acca
Everybody loves a Royal Ascot accumulator and we will be pointing towards one on each of the five days this week. On day one, our treble pays over 156/1.
Bet 1: Opera Ballo to win the Queen Anne Stakes (14:30) @ 7/2
It is a big week for Billy Loughnane, the young rider with a stunning book of rides ahead, and he can start in the best fashion by steering home the improving Opera Ballo in the Queen Anne in the Godolphin silks.
Bet 2: Bow Echo to win the St James's Palace Stakes (16:20) @ 8/11
Bow Echo had all the answers in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket last month under a perfectly executed ride from Loughnane. They came clear of the re-opposing Gstaad and there is no reason to suspect that will be reversed now.
Bet 3: Gaucher to win the Wolferton Stakes (17:35) @ 20/1
Willie Mullins is a constant fixture at this meeting in recent years and Gaucher looks a major contender for him in the Wolferton. He perhaps went for home too soon at Newcastle on Good Friday on AW Finals Day when shouldering top weight and Colin Keane's partner looks up to winning in Listed grade.
