King Charles up for Royal Ascot revenge after ‘stinker' on day one as ‘fast improving' horse is smashed into favourite
KING CHARLES is back for Royal Ascot revenge after a 'stinker' on day one.
The monarch's horse Rainbows Edge has been smashed into 7-2 favourite for the Kensington Palace Stakes at 5.35pm.
1
King Charles suffered a 'stinker' on day one when his well-backed horse Reach High got trapped in a pocket and couldn't get out - despite being backed into favourite
Credit: Getty
King Charles and Camilla looked like they'd be celebrating a Royal success on day one with Reaching High.
But the historic horse, bred by his late mum Queen Elizabeth II,
The world's best jockey was trapped in a pocket on the Willie Mullins-trained 11-4 favourite and couldn't get out.
It meant one of the biggest gambles of the meeting could finish only ninth in the Ascot Stakes.
Rainbows Edge, a four-year-old filly trained by father-son duo John & Thady Gosden, hopefully won't have such problems under two-time champion jockey William Buick.
She has been backed in from 9-2 for the mile contest worth £57,000 to the winner.
Templegate's verdict on the King's favourite
By Steve Mullen (Templegate)
There's every chance of a Royal winner thanks to Rainbows Edge who could well be the proverbial Group horse lurking in a handicap.
She has earned top weight after an impressive victory over course and distance last time.
That was just her fourth run so there should be a lot more to come from William Buick's mount.
The big danger looks like being Arolla.
This improving daughter of Kingman made a cracking return when second to the smart Jabaara in a Musselburgh Listed race earlier this month and now drops into handicap company off a perfectly fair mark of 100.
My fancy stayed on eye-catchingly from off the pace.
With the strong gallop expected to suit her hold-up style, she can pounce late under top Irish jockey Colin Keane.
And the trainers are in top form after their stable star, Field Of Gold, routed rivals with a devastating victory in the St James's Palace Stakes, the big race on day one.
The King, whose only Ascot win was Desert Hero in 2023, is set to attend every day of the five-day festival after The Sun revealed he was surprised at how much he enjoyed the occasion.
Most read in Horse Racing
He had taken over his mum Queen Elizabeth II's stable of horses. She had more than 20 Royal Ascot winners during her 70-year reign.
Earlier, Charles had written in the official racecard: "Having experienced the thrill of victory at Royal Ascot ourselves in 2023, we can only wish all those competing this week the very best of luck and that everyone watching has a most enjoyable five days."
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