Tues 18th June

QUEEN ANNE STAKES

FACTEUR CHEVAL 3/1 (Skybet – money back as cash if a loser) – 1pt win Lost (money back)

The Lockinge has been a great guide for today’s opener and with eight of the ten Lockinge runners amongst the fourteen-strong field it again looks likely to play a big part.

Audience ran an absolute cracker in the Lockinge, breaking well and taking the field along from the front, sticking to the centre of the track and keeping up a relentless gallop to finish a couple of lengths clear of Charyn and over eight lengths in advance of third. He’d gone close in a couple of Group 2 races last season but the Lockinge victory was a definite step forwards and despite being comfortable on fast ground he’s unlikely to get such an easy lead so it looks a big ask to see him follow up today, especially when considering how quiet the Gosden stable have been in recent weeks.

Charyn was the only other horse to get involved in the Lockinge, pulling clear of the pack to get within two lengths of the winner and well clear of the remainder. He was only just over a length ahead of Poker Face when winning the Bet365 Mile at Sandown in April despite being in receipt of 3lbs from that rival and has now come up short on six occasions when tackling Group 1 company. He will likely put in a bold bid and may prove to be good enough this time around, yet to me isn’t much of a betting proposition at around 5/2 given his record at the very top level.

The afore-mentioned Poker Face finished last season with a hat-trick of victories, winning at Listed, Group3 and Group2 level, all over a mile trip. He returned this season with an excellent second behind Charyn, giving that rival 3lbs and only getting worn down close home. He wasn’t seen to best effect in the Lockinge and in truth would probably prefer a softer surface than likely to encounter today. Nevertheless, he shouldn’t be overlooked and at the price could be worth chancing a small each way play.

Big Rock made all for a six-length course and distance success in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in October 2023 however that came in soft ground and his other career wins on turf have also come with some cut in the ground. He was never a factor when only sixth in the Lockinge but looked in need of the run on that occasion, clumsy at the start and unable to get his usual prominent position, so with the run under his belt is expected to get closer this time around. If the ground was to turn soft then he would be my selection, yet with conditions as they are I have to look elsewhere.

Facteur Cheval beat a strong field that included three subsequent winners when successful in the Group 1 Dubai Turf at Meydan in March, battling well for victory over nine furlongs, however was no match for Big Rock when six lengths behind that rival over course and distance in October.  Until his victory in Meydan, all other career wins have come on good-to-soft or worse ground but with that good ground victory now in the bag and the promise of more yet to come he looks the most likely of the market principles to be able to make his mark here.

COVENTRY STAKES

CATALYSE 12/1 (WHill – 5 places) – 0.5pts e/w Lost -1pt

ARRAN 25/1 (Coral – 5 places) – 0.5pts e/w Lost -1pt

Cowardofthecounty easily accounted for Whistlejacket when they met at the Curragh on their respective debuts and the latter followed up with a Listed victory two weeks later so the form already looks decent so it’s no surprise to see Joseph O’Brien’s runner top the market. He looks to have plenty of raw ability so a follow up here is a distinct possibility, however the yard form would have to be a concern and the fact that his debut victory came in heavy ground is also worth considering. On balance, I’d prefer my money to go elsewhere.

Camille Pissarro was narrowly denied when a beaten favourite in the Group 3 Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh in May but the only other runner from that race to have come out again won next time out, plus he had earlier won well at Navan so still looks capable of more. The race trends suggest that you need to be following a last time out winner (11 of the last 12 winners won last time out) but given trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Ryan Moore’s records in the race it would be foolish to dismiss him completely.

I was really impressed with the way Catalyse won at Hamilton on debut, smoothly moving in to contention having initially been ridden patiently towards the back of the field and clearing away nicely for a two-length victory. The price has dropped from 16/1 to 12/1 whilst writing and I think he’s capable of further improvement and getting involved in the finish so he is our first selection for the race.

The Actor beat four next time out winners when successful at Newmarket last month and given the way he saw out the race should continue to improve now stepped up to six furlongs so warrants plenty of respect, yet if considering his chances you also need to take a look at Arran who actually beat Richard Hannon’s runner when they met at Newmarket on their respective racecourse debuts. He should also appreciate the step up in trip yet for some reason is much bigger price than The Actor and three times the price of Al Qudra (who has finished behind both The Actor and Arran in two races on turf to date). At the prices i’m happy to take a chance and he’s our second race selection.

KING CHARLES III STAKES

BIG EVS 4/1 (B365) – 1pt win Lost -1pt

VALIANT FORCE 16/1 (Coral – 4 places) – 0.5pts e/w Lost -1pt

A really competitive renewal that sees Big Evs head the market having proved he had trained on as a three-year-old, giving weight and a beating to six rivals in a Listed contest at York in May. With five victories (and a second) from seven over the trip, including here in the Windsor Castle last season plus the Flying Childers and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint to boot, he already has an impressive CV and looks to have a great chance of enhancing it even further today.

Kerdos won the Group 2 Temple Stakes last time out and a similar run here would see him in the mix, while Asfoora wasn’t too far behind Kerdos when fourth last time out and better can be expected from the Australian raider with that run under her belt.Both look capable of giving the favourite something to think about yet at a slightly bigger price I’m also having an each way play on Valiant Force who won the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at an astonishing 150/1 last season and also ran a cracker for second, just a half-length behind Big Evs, in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Santa Anita last November. He didn’t fare so well in a couple of outings at Gulfstream earlier in the year but has re-joined Adrian Murray and a record of 2122 over the minimum trip gives hope that he can run a big race at a pretty big price.

The Gosden yard have been unusually quiet in the last few weeks but have a live each way chance with Crimson Advocate here, A winner of three from four over the minimum trip when racing on turf, including the Group 2 Queen Mary over course and distance last season, he will relish conditions and the booking of William Buick for the ride also looks a positive.