Toronado odds-on for Royal meeting curtain-raiser as final fields take shape

Toronado is 4-5 (from evens) favourite with Coral for Tuesday’s Queen Anne Stakes, ahead of Verrazano at 7-2, after the final declarations were made for the opening day races of next week’s Royal meeting today. Toronado’s stablemate, the 2,000 Guineas winner Night Of Thunder, is 2-1 second favourite for the St James’s Palace Stakes, behind Kingman, although the latter has been eased to 11-10 (from evens).

“Although we’ve not seen Toronado in action since his flop in the Juddmonte International last summer, connections could hardly be more bullish about their charge, suggesting he will take all the beating on his reappearance,” said Coral’s David Stevens.

“Kingman remains favourite for the St James’s Palace Stakes, but the market has spoken in favour of Night Of Thunder in recent days, with plenty of punters believing he can confirm his Newmarket superiority over the subsequent Irish Guineas victor,” added Stevens.

In the King’s Stand Stakes, Coral cannot split 7-2 joint favourites Hot Streak and Shea Shea, while War Envoy heads the market for the Coventry Stakes at 4-1.

**Royal Ascot Top Jockey
2 Moore, 5-2 Hughes, O’Brien, 10 Spencer, 12 Dettori, 14 Doyle, Hanagan, 33 Buick, Fallon,

**Royal Ascot Top Trainer
8-13 O’Brien, 11-4 Hannon, 6 Stoute, 10 Gosden, 25 Haggas, Varian, 40 Bin Suroor,

**Queen Anne Stakes
4-5 Toronado, 7-2 Verrazano, 6 Soft Falling Rain, 10 Tullius, Anodin, 25 Mull Of Killough, 33 Side Glance, 50 Producer, 66 Glory Awaits, 150 Ansgar,

**Coventry Stakes
4 War Envoy, 5 Adaay, 6 The Wow Signal, 8 Kool Kompany, 9 Cappella Sansevero, Justice Good, 12 Portamento, 20 Cock Of The North, Dr No, Kasb, Kodi Bear, 22 Jungle Cat, 28 Prophesize, 33 Angelic Lord, 50 Case Statement,

**King’s Stand Stakes
7-2 Hot Streak, Shea Shea, 9-2 Sole Power, 7 Pearl Secret, 12 Guerre, 14 Ahtoug, Steps, 16 Medicean Man, 20 Es Que Love, 25 Rex Imperator, 33 Jack Dexter, Stepper Point, 40 Ancil, Take Cover, Green Door, Justice Day, 66 Caledonia Lady,

**St James’s Palace Stakes
11-10 Kingman, 2 Night Of Thunder, 7 War Command, 8 Toormore, 25 Outstrip, 33 Yuften, 40 Prince Of All