Strong Irish challenge on the opening day of Royal Ascot
Gleneagles can get the Irish off to a flyer on the opening day of Royal Ascot. Aidan O’Brien’s dual classic winner is an odds-on favourite for the St James’s Palace Stakes.
The ‘Royal’ meeting is the highlight of the flat season for many racing fans with equine stars from around the world taking part in the five-day extravaganza.
Ladies fashion also takes centre stage for many designers with the great and the good of English society donning their top hats and tails.
The Royal procession takes place before racing everyday with the arrival of the Queen of England and the Royal party in horse-drawn landaus, which parade along the track.
The Irish raiding party looks particularly strong on the opening day with Ireland’s Champion Trainer Aidan O’Brien represented by Gleneagles, Cougar Mountain, and Air Force Blue.
The Eddie Lynam trained Sole Power is looking to complete a hat trick of victories in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes. The five furlong sprint is a real cavalry charge and the Irish raider will be ridden by Richard Hughes.
Other Irish interest will centre on the Jim Bolger trained Round Two who looks a worthy favourite in the Coventry Stakes.
Leading Jumps trainer Willie Mullins has a couple of runners in the Ascot Stakes. Ryan Moore is in the plate on Clondaw Warrior while Pat Smullen rides the well supported bottom weight Digeanta.
