14:30 - Maljoom 10/1 0.5pt ew
The Queen Anne looks a very open renewal this year, with the market headed by joint favourites Charyn and Facteur Cheval after the rerouting of Inspiral to the Prince Of Wales.
If the race already has a superstar then surely that is Big Rock who destroyed his rivals on Champions Day last year. If he was coming off the back of that run and he was 13/2, everyone would be snapping it up. However, it is very hard to back him when you factor in that he has questionably switched stable and his run in the Lockinge was very disappointing on a faster surface.
With that in mind, I am happy to take a chance on MALJOOM at double-digit odds for William Haggas. On ratings he has a bit to find but there is a suspicion that there is a better horse than a 110 rated one under the bonnet.
I really believed he was going to be a force to be reckoned with in this division after his luckless run in the St James’ Palace Stakes in 2022, but he has only been seen twice since unfortunately.
His run last year was a total blow out, but I thought he shaped with promise on his come back when 3rd at Ascot. That sort of tactical race wouldn’t have suited him but it should put him spot on for this.
I think he will relish today’s test of what looks likely to be a very strongly run mile on quick ground and I am hopeful of a big run.
15:05 - The Actor 14/1 0.5pt ew
The Coventry Stakes is full of promising types and while there is not a lot a whole lot to go off, I was very impressed with The Actor when he won at Newmarket.
He ran very well on debut when 2nd to Arran, very strong at the line, looking like a next time out winner in the making. He truly delivered on that promise a few weeks later when displaying a very sharp turn of foot to put away his rivals. That form looks strong already too, with the 3rd, 4th, 6th and 7th all winning races on their next start.
That race was good on the clock for a juvenile contest and the fact Richard Hannon has pointed him here is a positive to me (has had the runner-up in 2 of the last 5 seasons).
He is available at 14/1 and those odds appeal to me for an each way bet with the potential for more improvement with the step up to 6f.
15:45 - Twilight Calls 12/1 1pt ew
There hasn’t been a 3 year old winner of this race since Lady Aurelia in 2017 but you’d imagine Big Evs will certainly give it a good shot in an wide open sprint, but his price offers no juice at around 7/2 unfortunately as he has to step forward again from his comeback win.
Twilight Calls has been very awkward at the gates recently which can cost him his winning chance, however he has finished 2nd and 4th in this race on the last two renewals and he should have the race set up to suit once again this year.
As usual there is bags of pace and with the right breaks under Ryan Moore I expect him to be involved at the back end and any odds of 10/1 or above make him a solid each way bet.
Henry Candy hasn’t actually had a winner this season despite a lot running well and it wouldn’t be shock if this horse finally delivered on a big day. I’m sure he’d take that barron run if he knew this horse would win.
16:30 - Rosallion 3/1 1pt win
The St James’ Palace is arguably the race of the week and I think that is showed by the fact that Metropolitan who won the French 2000 Guineas is a 33/1 outsider.
Notable Speech is the right favourite but I think the difference in price between him (11/8) and Rosallion (3/1) is too big, which swings me into into Richard Hannon’s colts camp for this race.
They have always held him in the highest regard and I think Sean Levey would have waited longer before sending him for home in the Guineas at Newmarket if he got the ride again. I expect him to be ridden more like he was in the Irish Guineas and to be unleashed late on to hopefully pick up his rivals. I was so impressed with how he picked up at the Curragh and I think he can reverse that form with Notable Speech if the race pans out right for him.
17:05 - Zanndabad 4/1 2pt ew (NAP)
It is hard not watch back the Chester Cup and say Zanndabad shouldn’t have won, flying home from an absolute mile back to finish 3rd.
He has been given a 2lb rise from the handicapper but connections will be dissapointed if he can’t make amends in this valuable contest. The bookies are alive to his chances with him being a general 4/1 shot but I would be amazed if he doesn’t go close off the back of that run and would be happy to take the small loss if he is in the places.
Having looked at horses, I just can’t see anything that is obviously potentially well handicapped unlike Zanndabad and he rates as one of my strongest bets of the week.
17:40 and 18:15 - No Bets
The closest I came to a bet in either of these races was with Torito in the Wolferton but the 7/2 looked short enough for one of the newest Wathnan Racing acquisitions. I couldn’t quite wrap my head around the Copper Horse handicap but wondered whether Belloccio should really be 7/2 on ground which could prove quick enough for him.
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