Pieros Horse Racing Tips

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The opening race of the Royal meeting looks a tough puzzle to solve, and tactics could play a crucial role, with early position likely to be key. I thought Rosallion ran a cracker after nearly a year off when finishing third in the Lockinge, and my impression is that he will improve significantly for that run. He travelled into the race looking the best horse but could not quite unleash his usual turn of foot in the closing stages, although he clearly showed he retains all his ability. He is unbeaten at Ascot on the straight course, but this time he will have to contend with a wide draw on the round track. Sean Levey will need a bit of luck to find a good early position, although it is not impossible given how sharply he broke at Newbury on his reappearance. That day, his rivals looked much fitter, but I suspect he can turn the tables if returning to his best. This is not one for a huge bet, but I do expect him to be in the mix.

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It is always difficult to have a clear preference in a field made up of lightly raced runners, most of whom have only been seen once or twice. However, Gstaad made a strong impression with the way he galloped right to the line to win narrowly at Navan, getting up in the closing stages to beat his stablemate True Love. Navan is often a good preparation for the stiff Ascot straight course, and this performance suggested plenty of promise. A half-brother to multiple Group 1 winner Vandeek, Gstaad is bred to be a sprinter and, given his size and frame, may well need further in time. Making just his second start after a month break, he could benefit from the testing finish at Ascot, which is likely to play to his strengths. He appears well drawn in the high numbers, which should allow him to track the pace before finishing strongly. He looks one who should go well.

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In the each-way market, I’m giving a chance to Andab, who reportedly met with a setback prior to his latest run at the Curragh, where he was beaten by what must be said was a very impressive winner in Albert Einstein. Andab had previously looked smart when making a winning debut in a maiden that has already produced a couple of subsequent winners. A full brother to Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Victoria Road, he may well need a bit further in time, but for now he’s worth a go. The combination of Joseph O’Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle continues to be in excellent form, especially with their juveniles, and Andab looks an interesting each-way shout at 16/1 with bookmakers paying extra places.

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There are some very smart horses at the head of the market, but at the current prices I’m siding with Regional, who finished second in this race last year and looks to have had the perfect preparation when running a creditable third at Meydan following a long lay-off. Already a Group 1 winner, he has been lightly raced and remains low mileage for his age. He’s tactically versatile and well drawn in a high-numbered stall, which should help him get into a good position. At around 7/1, he looks one who should go close.

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I’m going to throw in one at a big price who looks a bit underestimated by the bookmakers and could easily outrun her 50/1 odds. No Half Measures may ideally prefer slower ground than she’ll get here, but she was a very progressive filly last year, winning both a Listed race and a Group 3 at Deauville and Newbury respectively, before running an excellent fifth in the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye on Arc day, where she didn’t get the clearest of runs. She improved plenty from her seasonal reappearance to go close at Haydock last time out. She’s shown her best form at tracks with stiff finishes, so I can definitely see her finishing off strongly. The draw isn’t bad either, so if she handles the slightly quicker ground, she could be one for the frame at massive odds.

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I’m disappointed that no bookmakers are offering extra places on each-way terms, as I thought Rashabar could sneak into the frame at around 25/1. All three top horses in the market are very good, but it will take a superstar in the current conditions to beat Field Of Gold now that Colin Keane is his official jockey. He was narrowly beaten in the 2000 Guineas, mainly because Kieran Shoemark delayed his run. Being a big horse, he needs time to find his stride before hitting top speed. While I’m sure he will step up in distance sooner rather than later, I think this stiff one-mile trip is tailor-made for him at the moment. His last run at The Curragh was thoroughly impressive. Already a smart juvenile last season, he has clearly made the perfect transition from two to three and looks the one to beat.

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This is a competitive renewal of the Ascot Stakes, and Poniros looks fairly treated off a mark of 91 for Willie Mullins, one you cannot underestimate in these staying contests on the flat. He was consistent on the flat for Ralph Beckett, finishing second in a strong renewal of the London Cup, and ran a creditable third last September at this venue. He looked outpaced when sent off favourite in the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket, clearly not suited by the drop in trip. Poniros was a shock 100/1 winner of the Triumph at the Cheltenham Festival, needing every inch of those stiff two miles and one furlong, so he should stay this far. William Buick has won this race twice in the last four years and is booked for the job. He looks a clear each-way player with bookmakers going five places.

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Wathnan Racing have several runners in this contest, and James Doyle has opted to ride Haatem, who appears to be the class act in the field based on last year’s progression. He ran a top-form Rosallion to within a head in the Irish 2000 Guineas before going on to win the Jersey Stakes at this meeting. He returned this season with two creditable performances, particularly last time out at Longchamp where he stayed on well in the closing stages over a mile. Richard Hannon steps him up in trip, which could prove a winning move. He clearly enjoys this course and, with a decent draw, should be able to find a good position in running. As the top-rated runner carrying no penalty, he looks the one to be on at 7/1.

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Wathnan Racing have clearly targeted this contest as one they want to win, and every one of their runners looks an interesting contender. Haunted Dream was a bit unlucky in this race last year, hampered on the home turn and only able to grab second before going on to win a Condition stakes at Goodwood. He had a solid winter campaign in Dubai, running a career-best when finishing fourth last time out in a Group 2. It looks like he has been kept fresh for this race again, which seems a more realistic target and on official ratings, he is not far behind the top runners. Mickael Barzalona has two rides tomorrow, one on a 66/1 outsider and the other on this horse, which suggests this is the one with a genuine chance. With a good draw in stall four, he looks worth an each way bet at around 12/1.

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There are several strong contenders in the Day One finale, but I am giving my each way chance to the progressive Caballo De Mar, who appears to be in the form of his life. He has won six of his last seven handicap starts since stepping up in trip, with his only defeat coming in the Chester Cup where he was forced wide for a couple of furlongs and had to use plenty of energy early to secure a prominent position. I do not mind siding with a prominent runner in this race, especially as the early pace looks likely to be steady, which could result in a sprint finish in the straight. Caballo De Mar stays further, so the stiff Ascot finish should play to his strengths and from stall nine, he should have no trouble finding a good position. He is again carrying a penalty for his Haydock win, but still appears to be on a fair mark based on that performance. At around 6/1 with several bookmakers offering five places, he looks to have a solid each way shout.