Day 1 Royal Ascot Placepot Tips from Architect

Leg 1 Selections: Inspiral, Lusail, Native Trail 

INSPIRAL was last seen finishing only sixth in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over course-and-distance but is clearly better than that and should instead be judged on her impressive win in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at this meeting twelve months ago, where she beat a high-class field that was littered with Group 1 winners, winning by more than four lengths. 

She must go well, while LUSAIL went very close in the St James's Palace at last year's Royal meeting when second and interestingly Ryan Moore remains in the saddle after the pair finished sixth in the Lockinge. He cannot be written off at a price, while NATIVE TRAIL should be suited to this stiff mile and his very best form would see him give the front pair in the market plenty to think about. 

Leg 2 Selections: Givemethebeatboys, Bobsleigh, Buyin Buyin 

River Tiber should appreciate the step up in distance but I am quite keen to oppose him and Asadna. The latter obviously clocked a good figure on debut at Ripon but that form looks rubbish and the former is stepping up to six furlongs for the first time. 

Instead, I am going to advise the big-money purchase and the Jessica Harrington-trained GIVEMETHEBEATBOYS, who is the only pattern-race winner in the field. He recently went for £1.1m at the London Goffs Sale and was described by new owners as a special horse. 

He won on debut at Navan and then showed a good attitude to see off two very good two-year-old’s in a Group 3 at the Curragh. He is partnered by Frankie Dettori and is drawn well in stall 7, so there’s lots to like about his chances and I would rather advise him given the substance of his form rather than potential of the two two. 

He had BUYIN BUYIN back in fourth, who wasn’t beaten far and had previously won impressively on his debut. He could outrun his odds, while BOBSLEIGH did well to remain unbeaten in the Woodcote at Epsom and even though this is a step up in grade, he’s respected. 

Leg 3 Selections: Highfield Princess

In my honest assessment of the King’s Stand this year, this isn’t as strong as previous renewals and it does present three-time Group 1 winner HIGHFIELD PRINCESS with a great opportunity to get on the scoresheet for the season and add another top-tier success to her impressive CV. 

She beat a few better horses than this field last season and returned with an excellent second at York, where she was conceding not only fitness to the much-improved Azure Blue, but also five pounds. That run will have put her straight in regards to fitness and she should have too much natural ability for these if she runs to her best. 

Leg 4 Selections: Chaldean, Cicero’s Gift 

The St James’s Palace Stakes should prove to be a fascinating renewal and I am quite confident we have the winner out of these two picks. Andrew Balding’s CHALDEAN is getting better and better and after completing the four-timer when edging out Royal Scotsman in Dewhurst at Newmarket, he made amends for his shock blip at Newbury when winning the 2000 Guineas in good style. 

His form looks more trustworthy than Paddington and I think this course will suit him more. He can hopefully prove why he’s the clear highest rated and bag another Group 1. Just in case he doesn’t, CICERO’S GIFT is included. He is up markedly in grade but has won all three starts in the manner of a top-class prospect and could advance his form now tackling tougher opponents. 

Leg 5 Selections: Bring On The Night, Urban Artist 

Willie Mullins has a good record in this race and last year’s second BRING ON THE NIGHT has clearly been targeted and saved for the race again, who chased home Coltrane last year. He has to be included but I will cover him with an outsider.

Firstly URBAN ARTIST, who was runner-up twice in Group 3/listed company last season, including at Goodwood, in the Lillie Langtry, where she split Sea La Rosa (rated 110) and Emily Dickinson (rated 111). 

Her only previous run at Ascot came at this meeting last year, where she ran with credit to finish sixth of 12 in the Queen Alexandra Stakes over 2m5f which stretched her stamina. Dropping in trip, and reunited with Oisin Murphy, she makes plenty of appeal. 

Leg 6 Selections: Bolshoi Ballet, Solid Stone 

An excellent renewal of the Wolferton and I like two against the field. BOLSHOI BALLET is a former Group 1 winner and went very close when third when last seen at Newbury. He is likely to be ridden prominently by Ryan Moore from stall 1 and takes a drop in grade. I think he has an excellent chance of landing this prize for connections. 

SOLID STONE has run well in every start at this course, including at the Royal meeting twice. He was a good third in this two years ago and was a fair fourth in the Hardwicke last year. He made an encouraging return in the Group 3 in the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown when third and this does look easier. I am astonished by his massive odds as his best form would certainly be enough to close in this contest.