Royal Ascot: Rhododendron and Lady Aurelia to star on Day One

Odds and preview of Royal Ascot opening day

Royal Ascot is finally here with five days of world-class flat racing from the Berkshire course.

And it kicks off today with some high-quality action with as many as three Group 1 renewals amongst six races.

Ed Chamberlin and co. will be covering it all live on ITV. And the Coral News Team preview three of the races and tip up all six.

Queen Anne Stakes, 2:30pm

The opener looks a very exciting clash between Aidan O’Brien’s Rhododendron and Golophin charge, Benbatl. The former filly has to be given the nod here based on her pedigree compared to the others. O’Brien’s filly is a three-time Group 1 winner.

Her win in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury back in May got her season back on track after an iffy couple of runs. It’s arguable she runs better at a longer distance but she tends to have loads in the tank at the shorter mile trip.

She’s got a nice weight allowance too and will love the good ground so Rhododendron definitely makes the most sense.

King’s Stand Stakes, 3:40pm

One for the top class sprinters, the King’s Stand Stakes is run over 5f and Lady Aurelia will be going for a second win in a row.

Home favourite Battaash stands in her way, but Wesley Ward’s star mare comes into a class of her own at Ascot. She’s romped home on her last two starts in Berkshire in both the previous two years.