Royal Ascot Update winner @ 9/2 & 5/6

The English, Irish and French 2000 Guineas winners clashed in the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot and it was Field of Gold, who had won convincingly at the Curragh, emerged on top emphatically turning the tables on his Newmarket conqueror Ruling Court in front of a crowd of 45,551. The John & Thady Gosden trained runner was patiently ridden early on before moving up on the hometurn. Colin Keane was able to ease his mount out before hitting the front still on the bridle. The Irishman wasn't going to take any chances pushing him clear before the furlong marker. A three and a half lengths winner, the grey son of Kingman confirmed he is the best three year old in Europe with a dominant display. Eleven years earlier, his sire won the same event for the same connections. 

Earlier in the afternoon, Aidan O'Brien claimed his eleventh win in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes with Gstaad producing a most impressive display scoring by three lengths. Bred to be top-class being a half-brother to dual Group 1 winning juvenile Vandeek, he had caught the eye when winning on his debut at Navan recently and looked even better on this occasion. Ryan Moore's mount was always going strongly before sent for home approaching the furlong marker. He looked in a different league to his rivals.

Having suggested backing American Affair at 16/1 for the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock shortly after his win in handicap company at York, I must admit to having mixed feelings watching Jim Goldie's new stable star claim a Group 1 victory in the King Charles III Stakes. Only fifth at the Merseyside track, things didn't go to plan on that occasion but he was fitted with a red hood here and was more relaxed. Partnered by Paul Mulrennan, the five year old travelled strongly in behind the leaders before coming with a late challenge. A neck winner, the Washington DC gelding has come a long way in a short space of time. A winner over seven furlongs at Wetherby just over two years ago, he has found his niche over the minimum trip and Goldie and his team have done a terrific job with him. Jockey Paul Mulrennan was gaining his second Royal winner, fifteen years after Dandino won the King George V Handicap for James Given. 

The Top 40 entry French Master (5/2) did well to win the concluding Copper Horse Handicap having come from a long way back. Lightly raced and progressed, the four year old won narrowly at Goodwood last time and defied a four pounds rise scoring by two and a half lengths off a mark of 100. Fitted with blinkers for the first time, he had been bought by Wathnan Racing beforehand and continued his upward trajectory with a big race success here. It will be interesting to see where the son of Frankel heads next - he has the ability to develop into a Cup horse. His half-brother Mohaafeth won the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes four years ago.

It was an excellent first day for followers of the Royal Ascot Update with two winners, namely Gstaad (advised @ 9/2) and Field of Gold (advised @ 5/6). I am heading to Hamilton Park for Racing TV on Wednesday and will therefore update the Diary later in the week.