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As usual there is the Royal Parade preceding the days festivities and the weather is expected to be cool but fine.
Racing as usual starts with the Queen Anne down the straight mile with 14 to run. We have always liked Facteur Cheval and his daddy Ribchester won this race and he won the Dubai Turf at Meydan. He's on 11/4 for Reynier-Guyon. At this stage the favourite is Charyn for Varian-de Sousa as he was second in the Lockinge. He's on 11/4. Big Rock had a change of stable and also has a change of jockey as new trainer Guanieri has booked Soumillon for the ride. We were not convinced by his latest run and think 9/2 is overs. We prefer 11/1 Maljoom for Haggas-Marquand who ran third in the trial for this race.
The Coventry G2 is over 1200m for the 2yos with 23 lining up so the stall handlers will earn their money loading this lot. Camille Pissarro looked good in his last run and is on 9/2 for O'Brien-Moore. He's by Wooton Bassett. However with 23 runners anything can happen so we have added Al Qudra 8/1 for Appleby-Buick and he's by No Nay Never. Francisco's Piece is with Kealey-Mulrennan and has had a couple of starts which equals good experience. He's by Maysan and on 7/1. And for our roughie we are going for Star Anthem, a Starspangledbanner colt who is with Cox-Kingscote and on 20/1.
The King Charles III is G1 over 1000m and has 17 starters. Big Evs is very consistent and looks the main chance here for M Appleby and Tom Marquand and is on 7/2. Australia is represented here by Alfoora, by Flying Artie, who has a great record at home and if over his travels would have a very good chance here and is certainly backable on 13/2. Henry Dwyer has booked Oisin Murphy for the ride. We are going very wide for the next two picks- Makarava on 25/1 and Emaraaty Ana on 40/1. The latter has a knack of turning up when least expected.
The St James's Palace Stakes G1 is over the round 1600m course. Notable Speech is unbeaten and looks the go here on 11/8 after winning the 2000 Guineas and opting to come here instead of Epsom. Appleby-Buick are the team for this son of Dubawi. Rosallion was second in the 2000 Guineas and will have his work cut out for him if he is to overturn that result. He's by Blue Point who is also the sire of Big Evs and on 7/2 for Hannon-Levey. Metropolitan won the French 2000 Guineas and is one we like a lot and his connections have not sent him over to see the sights of Windsor. Barratti has booked hot hoop Alexis Pouchin for the ride and they are on 12/1 which looks value.
