Ryan Moore rates his chances of riding a winner for the King and Queen at Ascot
The top jockey assesses his mounts on the first day of the royal meeting which include a runner in royal colours trained by Willie Mullins
Ryan Moore is odds-on favourite to finish as top jockey at Royal Ascot for the fourth year in a row. The top jockey has the pick of the runners trained by top trainer Aidan O'Brien at the five-day fixture, which starts on Tuesday.
He is also the number one pick of owners and trainers if he happens to be available in races O'Brien does not have a contender. As a result he has a mount in all seven races on day one of the fixture, including a horse owned by the King Charles and Queen Camilla trained by Willie Mullins.
He has given his view on all the rides in his regular blog for World Pool.
2.30 Queen Anne Stakes 'This is a very strong race. We've got the first four from the Lockinge Stakes – Lead Artist, Dancing Gemini, Rosallion and Notable Speech – and all four of them are probably going to be bang there again. I wouldn't be surprised if any of them won, while Sardinian Warrior is a horse that's done very little wrong and looks progressive.
'Then there's Carl Spackler coming over from America, who brings some high-class form into the race, but this will ask for more. Lake Forest is a good horse too, while you could also make a case for Quddwah and Docklands.
'I ride DIEGO VELAZQUEZ, who is having his first start of the season. He's fit and ready to go but this will be a big test for him on his first run. He won a G3 and a G2 last year when dropping down to a mile, so there's no concerns about the trip. Hopefully he'll run well, but it's a big ask to win this on his reappearance.'
3.05 Coventry Stakes 'I take the ride on GSTAAD, a horse who won at Navan, beating a promising filly in True Love. He's a well-bred horse by Starspangledbanner and is a half-brother to Vandeek who was a very good horse, especially as a two-year-old.
'He goes to Ascot having only had one start, so he might be lacking a bit of experience. That said, he has already shown a high level of form. Postmodern and Military Code look the obvious dangers.'
3.40 King Charles III Stakes 'I ride BELIEVING for George Boughey here. She was a very good winner last time out at Meydan and I think the flat six furlongs there suited her well. She had a nice draw which allowed her to follow Regional into the race and get a winning run; William Buick gave her a lovely ride.
'She was unfortunate with the draw on a couple of occasions last year, both in the Nunthorpe and the Flying Five where she finished second, and then ran well in the Prix de l'Abbaye without winning. She's a very consistent filly and George has done really well with her. If she runs her race, as she usually does, then she should be bang there.
'Last year's winner Asfoora is back to take her on and must hold every chance. Night Raider is interesting stepping down to five furlongs too, while Mgheera is doing well since switching to Ed Walker. I've got a lot of respect for those horses and I think it will be a competitive race. You need to be drawn well and things need to go your way in-running.'
4.20 St James's Palace Stakes 'The St James's Palace Stakes looks a very exciting renewal this year. HENRI MATISSE has won his last three, he's won a Breeders' Cup and I think the round mile on quick ground will suit him. I think he'll run very well.
'Field Of Gold is the obvious danger and the likely favourite having looked very impressive in the Irish Guineas. Everyone saw what he did at the Curragh and that would probably be about the best piece of form heading into this race.
'Ruling Court beat Field Of Gold the time before that in the Guineas at Newmarket and was then a late non-runner in the Derby. It will be interesting to see how he adapts to that change of plan.'
5.00 Ascot Stakes 'I'm on REACHING HIGH here for Willie Mullins and The King & Queen. He's a horse I know pretty well from his days with Sir Michael Stoute, though I never rode him in a race. I also know the dam, Estimate, well, as I won on her twice at Royal Ascot, including the Gold Cup. Hopefully the step up in trip will bring about a bit more improvement from him.
'He had a good run on his first start for Willie, where he was second over a mile-and-a-half at Leopardstown. Hopefully he'll come on from that and be right there with a chance. East India Dock, Poniros, Caballo De Mar and Manxman look the likely dangers and it's going to be very competitive.'
5.35 Wolferton Stakes"SONS AND LOVERS is a nice ride to pick up for Joseph O'Brien. He's had two good runs for Joseph, including fourth behind Los Angeles at the Curragh last time, and he could run a big race here. Enfjaar ran well on his reappearance at Sandown and would have to be respected, while Ecureuil Secret was impressive at Epsom and is clearly an improving horse.
6.10 Copper Horse Stakes 'I don't know too much about CHARLUS, but on the face of it he looks unexposed and has been kept fresh for this. French Master looks an obvious danger. He did very well to get up and win the last day at Goodwood having run into traffic problems throughout.'
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