Royal Ascot Day One Preview - 14/06/22

Real World, E/W and W/O the Fav looks a safe and smart selection in the opener.

At time of writing, Baaeed is a 1/5f and looks to be a cut above, however - Real World should prove hard to knock out of the frame.

He was second to Baaeed in the Lockinge last time out, and he was largely very progressive last year. Real World each way, and in the without Baaeed market looks to be a very solid bet.

In what looks a particularly strong Coventry this year, Persian Force could well be the answer.

He bolted up on debut when well backed to win the Brocklesby at Newbury, and duly obliged next time out winning in decisive fashion over 6f, again, at Newbury.

Persian Force does look to have a touch of star quality about him, he travels strongly and has a good change of gear.

He looks a solid option in a competitive race.

One at a bigger price, Rousing Encore looks to have a squeak in a race that isn't lacking in depth.

He's 2/3, and beat Breege last time out in a class two conditions race.

Prior to that, he impressed when winning a novice at Beverley, when meeting trouble in running.

He looks to be improving, and he has a chance of hitting the frame at fancy odds.

Twilight Calls looks a solid option in what could be a very tactical race.

With likely early speed coming from Golden Pal (13), and Nature Strip (10), Twilight Calls, drawn in 6 could well be drafted into the race and played late.

There is plenty of pace on paper and the two quality horses at the top of the market may well go too hard, and it would certainly leave the door open to a horse with the class and closing ability of Twilight Calls.

Race should be run to suit, and he has a top chance on form.

One at a huge price, Saint Lawrence, could well out-run his odds in a muddling affair.

Roger Varian is in good form and this colt by Al Kazeem is largely unexposed at the trip.

He's done most of his racing over 6/7f, which should only be a positive, with the stiff finish at Ascot and the likely breakneck speed on offer.

He could well surprise a few.

Mighty Ulysses won on debut at Yarmouth in the style of a good horse, he then ran in a Derby trial at Epsom, and was ultimately outstayed.

He returned to winning ways by winning a novice over 1m in impressive fashion at Newmarket. Last time out, he ran well in a competitive handicap at Haydock, finishing second to the progressive Whoputfiftyinyou.

Outgate was 5l behind in third there, and he franked the form in good style at Chester at the weekend.

With Coroebus dominating the market, Mighty Ulysses looks a very viable alternative at a much better price.

Pied Piper, who proved to be a very useful juvenile hurdler under NH rules for trainer Gordon Elliot returns back to the flat, and looks to have a major chance here.

Formerly of John Gosden, Pied Piper is a two time winner on the flat. He looks to have really matured in the last season or so, and he's a horse of real ability.

His handicap mark of 96 could well be very lenient, and he has a massive chance in an open looking affair.

Cadillac absolutely bolted up at Leopardstown last time out, to the useful Georgeville 3l behind in second.

He's showed a good deal of ability at 2, and connections have been fiddling around with the trip.

A stiff 7f here should suit, and if he can dominate like he did last time out, he could be very hard to catch.

Back up to a 1m6f, Stowell returns to the course and distance of arguably his best performance to date.

Last year he ran well in the Queen's Vase, and finished third, but was arguably unlucky not to finish closer.

He's back up in trip here which looks sure to suit, and he is still unexposed over this far.

It's worth taking on the hot favourite, and Stowell looks to be a solid bet at the prices.

Probably the most unexposed runner in the field, Okita Soushi could surprise a few here and really put it up to the market leaders.

He won on debut over a mile and a half at Fairyhouse last June, but then came unstuck in a tactical three runner race next time out.

However, he was a good second on his seasonal reappearance at the Curragh over 1m4.

These extra couple of furlongs should only be a positive judged on his work late on last time out, he's massively unexposed and he is very well bred, he looks sure to go well.