What We Learned From The First Day Of Royal Ascot

What We Learned From The First Day Of Royal Ascot

If we did not know it before, the picture has become crystal clear that trainer Aidan O'Brien is a genius of his trade. Day one of Royal Ascot 2019 merely emphasised the fact.

Circus Maximus, sixth in the Epsom Derby three weeks ago was dropped back to a mile in the St James's Palace Stakes and bolted up under Ryan Moore, fending off the challenges of the John Gosden duo - King Of Comedy and Too Darn Hot.

How a man can voice his training plans and tactics to a horse running over a mile-and-a-half three weeks before at one of toughest racecourses around, and then manage to apply the horse's speed and stamina in a totally different way is quite simply a masterpiece.

A work of art, the three-year-old also managed to get the better of Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Phoenix Of Spain, who was no better than sixth under Jamie Spencer.

O'Brien was at it earlier in the day in the Coventry Stakes, and looks to have a very special two-year-old on his hands in the shape of Arizona.

An eight-length winner at the Curragh last time out, Ryan Moore guided his mount to the front, to beat the likes of the well fancied Threat and Guildsman, for Richard Hannon and Archie Watson respectively.

In the Kings Stand Stakes, we found out our answers concerning the rematch between Blue Point and Battaash, and the response favoured the Godolphin horse once again.

Conditions at a premium and with no typical pre-race antiques, many believed this was Battaash's best chance at a Group One in the UK.

He made excellent headway under Jim Crowley to surge to the front, but was outstayed once again by Charlie Appleby's Blue Point, with the result now possibly suggesting that the five-year-old son of Shamardal is just the better sprinter.

No excuses from Charlie Hills's perspective on Battaash, and he should be back to contest other races down the season that he has sparked success in the past; possibly away from Blue Point.

Solider's Call ran his heart out under Daniel Tudhope in third, with the mare Mabs Cross running on in usual style back in fourth.

The opening Queen Anne event, the Group One for straight milers was claimed by Ascot specialist Lord Glitters, which was a bit of a shock in terms of the betting.

What we can take from that, is that the mile division is probably one of the worst it has been for a while, with horse's constantly beating each other in varying events.

Lord Glitters can be classed a fair winner, given that he was second in the race last year, whereas many will ask the question of how Beat The Bank has finished second in a Group One.

Romanised did his usual 'just missed out on the places', whilst Le Brivido, Laurens and Mustashry did not have the quality to go on an prevail, and finished fifth, sixth and seventh.

Former Royal Ascot winner Barney Roy was not at his best and may go back up trip down the line, whilst we will never know if Accidental Agent could have repeated last year's feat, as he did not fancy taking one step out of the stalls.

In reflection, he probably would have won it even on an average going day for him.