Dubai's Godolphin take centre stage on a day of rivalries at Royal Ascot
Royal Ascot, the greatest show on turf is back and Tuesday's opener promises a rich mixture of revenge stories, future superstar spotting, and veteran class.
Godolphin, the powerful Dubai-owned stable come into the Royal meeting with an army of contenders — a nice blend of proven performers and up-and-comers - and a lot to prove. The first day's racing will provide the perfect snapshot of their depth and ability to add to their haul of 57 winners at the three-century-old extravaganza.
Whether it's the 2,000 Guineas (G1) king Ruling Court, the unbeaten 2-year-old Military Code, or veteran Ascot winner Passion And Glory Tuesday promises stories at every stride and every turn.
Who's the headline act from Godolphin?
Notable Speech, last year's 2,000 Guineas (G1) winner, is back for another showdown with Dubai-owned Rosallion in the Group 1 Queen Anne (5.30 UAE). Run over a mile, the Queen Anne Stakes always produces drama and is a fitting start to Royal Ascot. It is the first of eight Group 1 contests from 35 thrilling races that will be staged over the next five days.
Tuesday's showpiece is the third meeting between Notable Speech and Rosallion. Rosallion represents Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, winner of the 1998 Epsom Derby with High Rise. Notable Speech struck first in the 2000 Guineas before Rosallion turned the tables in the St James's Palace last season.
Assessing Notable Speech's chances of winning the third clash between the two top milers, Godolphin handler Charlie Appleby says: 'Notable Speech comes into this in great order. The Lockinge was his first start of the year, and we're expecting him to come forward from it.'
Picture this as a title fight – with both gallopers 1-1 going into the decider.
Notable rivals include the first two home in the Lockinge Stakes (G1) at Newbury – Juddmonte's Lead Artist and the Roger Teal-trained Dancing Gemini.
Stablemate Ruling Court also faces a rematch with 2,000 Guineas runner-up as he takes on Field Of Gold again in the G1 St James's Palace Stakes. Half a length separated the duo at Newmarket, with Juddmonte Stables-owned Field Of Gold going on to frank the form in the G1 Irish 2,000 Guineas.
Ruling Court was an intended runner in the G1 Epsom Derby earlier in the month but missed the race due to unfavourable ground conditions.
Appleby said: 'We took Ruling Court out of the Derby due to the ground, and we can have no excuses with conditions at Ascot. It's a very good renewal of the race and the track and trip will suit.
'We are looking at stepping up in trip at some point, but he has done very little wrong over a mile so far.'
Is there a 'dark horse'?
Military Code, an unbeaten two-year-old heads into the Group 2 Coventry Stakes (3.05 UAE), Royal Ascot's flagship showdown for two-year-olds, with a perfect record and a rapidly growing reputation.
After making a stylish debut during Newmarket's Craven meeting, the Charlie Appleby-trained son of Wootton Bassett backed it up by shouldering a penalty to score again at Ascot last month. Now we'll find out if he's got what it takes to mix it with the best of his generation.
'It's a big step up in class, but we're excited to see if he belongs at this level. His form is rock solid, and hopefully, we'll be competitive,' said Appleby
Watch this lad; we might be looking at a future Guineas contender in the making.
Anything for the veteran fans?
Saeed bin Suroor's course specialist Passion And Glory is 2-for-2 at Ascot and drops back in a trip for the Wolferton (5.35 UAE).
A nine-year-old son of Cape Cross. Passion And Glory finished a commendable fourth behind stablemate Dubai Future in the Group 1 Dubai Gold Cup on World Cup night and takes his chances in this competitive contest.
'It's a nice spot for him. He loves it here, and we're hopeful of a big run, said Bin Suroor who is looking for his 40th Royal Ascot winner.
Don't be surprised if the veteran, who landed the Group 3 Glorious Stakes win back in 2021 will be able to keep that spotless record alive on Tuesday.
Also in the Wolferton mix is Appleby's Military Order winner of the Group 3 Winter Derby back in February who now gets a chance to show what he can do on quicker ground at Ascot.
'Military Order is in great shape and I'm keen to see how he handles a faster surface. If he can bring his all-weather form to the turf, he could be a very interesting contender here,' Appleby said.
Appleby is trying something different in the relatively new Copper Horse Stakes (9:10), a handicap over about 1 mile 6 furlongs. Introduced in 2020 as part of an expanded Royal Ascot programme, it closed out the opening day and has quickly become a fixture for staying types on the big stage
'It's a question mark for him, but we're hoping it brings improvement. If we get the trip and a bit of luck in running, we should be thereabouts,' said Appleby
It's a bold move, but sometimes Royal Ascot is all about letting horses find their feet in a new discipline.
3 Things to watch on Tuesday:
The showdown: Notable Speech vs Rosallion.
This rivalry is nicely poised at 1-1- Tuesday decides it.
The future: Military Code in the Coventry.
He's 2-for-2 and a potential superstar in the making.
The course lover: Passion And Glory.
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