IN case you are wondering, then yes I have finally got over Cracksman’s defeat although it was hard having 5-4 about a 2-5 shot!
Luckily Expert Eye came along Wednesday and then we had a cracker of a day on Thursday with three winners and two seconds from six tips!
Friday is all about the girls, and a clash of Classic winners in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes. Let’s hope one shines bright.
Today we kick off with the Group 3 Albany Stakes at 2.30pm. Ryan Moore is on Just Wonderful for Aidan O’Brien, but it’s FAIRYLAND for the same yard that I like.
She was a super easy winner of the Marble Hill at the Curragh last time.
Next it’s the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes, often known as the Ascot Derby.
I’ll take a chance here with WELLS FARHH GO, who totally bombed out in the Dante at York for Tim Easterby. However, he was a fine juvenile and the team still keep the faith.
One of the main events of the day at 3.40pm, the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup over 6f. All the talk here is for Equilateral, but INVINCIBLE ARMY is the one for me each-way in the hope he can give James Tate a first Group 1 success.
My hope was just touched off by Sands of Mali last time but loves this track and can swoop home late and fast under James Doyle.
That Coronation Stakes is at 4.20pm, with Guineas winners Alpha Centauri (Ireland), Billesdon Brook (Newmarket) and Teppal (France) going head to head with Clemmie also in the mix for O’Brien.
STARTERS ORDERS Fancy going to Royal Ascot? Here's all you need to know about the meeting
I was impressed with ALPHA CENTAURI at the Curragh and she will love the fast ground. She can give Jessica Harrington another big race success.
What a brilliant handler she is, having sent out aClassic winner and won the Champion Chase and Hurdle.
It’s hard what to make of Clemmie, who was a good two-year-old but flopped totally behind my selection in Ireland. I suspect she will run much better here.
The form of the 1000 Guineas has been well franked by runner-up Laurens landing the Diane (French Oaks) over in the France the other day.
Matt Chapman's Royal Ascot tips
2.30 Ascot - Fairyland: 'Easy winner of the Marble Hill and is bound to be involved' (add to your betslip)
3.05 Ascot - Wells Farhh Go: 'Bombed out in the Dante but can bounce back' (add to your betslip)
3.40 Ascot - Invincible Army: 'Loves this track and can swoop late' (add to your betslip)
4.20 Ascot - Alpha Centauri: 'Will love the ground and can strike for Jessie' (add to your betslip)
5.00 Ascot - Agrotera: 'She was impressive at Windsor and Jamie Spencer is ace on this course' (add to your betslip)
5.35 Ascot - Walton Street: 'Progressive in Dubai and can put his experience to good use' (add to your betslip)
But do I really believe in her? Not at the moment.
Teppal won in a close finish at Chantilly, and the third horse Wind Chimes did nothing for the form in France the other day.
At 5.00pm it’s the Sandringham Stakes, a handicap over 1m. I’ll have a few quid on AGROTERA is interesting here for Ed Walker and Jamie Spencer.
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The latter is fabulous on this track, and I was impressed when I was at Windsor last time for her cosy maiden victory. She stayed well then and could be well handicapped.
Finally it’s the Duke of Edinurgh Stakes at 5.35pm, a handicap over nearly 1m4f.
WALTON STREET was progressive out in Dubai during the winter for Charlie Appleby and has a good draw to work from on William Buick. He stays and has experience in big fields.
The Queen arrives at Royal Ascot in a horse drawn carriagencG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTErKynZpOke7a3jqynqKqkZLWwvtKeqZqbmaO0cIKUa29yaGVktrXCjKuYnKGenHq1tc%2BsZKunqZa5bq3SnKatZWRk