Day 1 Royal Ascot Review

The Hannon stable won the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes for a third time on day one of Royal Ascot with Rosallion doing well to reel in Henry Longfellow in a steadily run event. The Irish 2000 Guineas winner was drawn on the rail and raced keenly early on, while the runner-up had the run of the race sitting handily behind stable companion and pace setter Unquestionable. Ryan Moore got first run hitting the front on last season's National Stakes winner but couldn't withstand the winner's turn of foot. A neck separated the pair with three lengths back to the third. It was a memorable success for Hannon jnr, who was winning this for a second time (Barney Roy (2017)), and fourteen years after his father's Canford Cliffs landed the first day's showpiece event. The disappointment of the race was Notable Speech who only beat one rival. Charlie Appleby's 2000 Guineas winner was pulled wide in the homestraight but the response was limited. As highlighted in the Royal Ascot Update, fast ground was an unknown and his dam was 0 from 2 on such a surface.

Roger Varian trained his first Group 1 winner and his thirteenth Royal winner in total when Charyn won the opening Queen Anne Stakes. Runner-up in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury last time, he stayed on strongly to beat last year's Britannia Stakes winner Docklands by two and a quarter lengths. His trainer was adamant the son of Dark Angel wanted better ground when we spoke in February and his assessment proved spot on. 

Rashabar (80/1) provided Brian Meehan with eighth Royal winner and his first for six years when causing a shock in the Coventry Stakes. The Holy Roman Emperor colt, who cost €120,000 as a yearling, carried the famous silks of the late Sir Robert Sangster and he was winning here at the third time of asking. Runner-up at Chester last time behind the subsequent Woodcote Stakes, he was drawn in stall 10 and received a positive ride by Billy Loughnane. A nose winner from the Wathnan Racing pair Electrolyte and Columnist, two lengths covered the first eight home.

It was a frustrating first day for followers of the Royal Ascot Update. Maxime Guyon elected to follow Big Rock aboard Facteur Cheval in the Queen Anne and once his compatriot dropped away before the two furlongs marker, the French raider ended up in no mans land in the middle of the track on his own with no company. He ran creditably in sixth but it proved a messy opening affair. As far as the selections in the Coventry Stakes are concerned, there were no excuses for Catalyse who travelled well in behind the pace in the far side group but couldn't quicken, while Cowardofthecounty may prove the best of these even though Joseph O'Brien's runner only finished seventh. An impressive winner on his debut at the Curragh in April, his victory there was gained on soft/heavy ground and he may have found conditions quick enough here. Plus, he wasn't the quickest away and was nearly last during the early stages. He remains a promising colt and will have no trouble staying further. As discussed, Henry Longfellow had the run of the race in the St James's Palace and was beaten by a better horse. No excuses.

Fingers crossed for a change of fortune on day two. I will be back to update the Diary later in the week - I will be watching the second day from Hamilton Park, where I am working for Racing TV.