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Timeform Expert View: Day one of Royal Ascot
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Posted in: Royal Ascot Tips
Timeform analyst Matt Gardner gives his tips for day one of Royal Ascot.
NAP - Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (16:10)
In terms of Timeform ratings, it usually takes a performance of around 118 to win the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes; NAZEEF is not far off that level after just five starts and rates as a good bet with the prospect of further improvement to come.
She progressed well last year, winning a maiden at Newmarket and a minor event at Chelmsford before impressing in a Newmarket handicap, still showing signs of inexperience but blowing away three in-form rivals by six lengths.
She overcame both a poor draw and position to make a winning reappearance in a listed race at Kempton a fortnight ago, doing well to run down dual Group 1 winner Billesdon Brook, and looks well worth her place in this higher grade.
Next Best - Queen Anne Stakes (13:50)
The Queen Anne is wide open this year and could be ripe for one of the less exposed sorts to progress and land the spoils. There are a few potential candidates to fit the bill, including Terebellum and Fox Chairman, but preference is for ROSEMAN, who already holds sound form claims before factoring in the improvement that he may have to come this year.
Roseman impressed last year, winning a Nottingham minor event before splitting smart performers King Of Comedy and Sangarius in a Sandown listed contest and shaping well in the Hampton Court Stakes at this meeting, unfortunate not to finish better than fifth.
He took a big leap forward when beating Century Dream on his final start of the year, looking every inch a horse that would be making an impact at the top level in 2020. He has a chance to substantiate that theory here, and looks too big a price at around 14/1.
Long-shot - Buckingham Palace Handicap (13:15)
The Buckingham Palace Stakes was last run in 2014, losing its place at Royal Ascot with the creation of the Commonwealth Cup; it makes a one-off return this year as part of the expanded programme and looks just as competitive as it used to.
One that needs things to fall his way, but has long-since appealed as the sort to do well in races of this ilk, is KEYSER SOZE. He often puts himself on the back foot at the start but coming from behind is no bad thing over seven furlongs at Ascot, and he looks to have been drawn around pace with the likes of Gifted Master and Glen Shiel in stalls not far away.
He’s lower in the weights on turf than all-weather but has gone well fresh and, if getting the breaks, may yet be able to replicate his smart synthetics form, whilst Ryan Moore is an eye-catching jockey booking.
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