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/ Geoffrey Riddle / 14 June 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Racegoers arrive in their finest for day one at Ascot
Frankel, Goldikova, Canford Cliffs - the big names are set to make the first day of Royal Ascot a humdinger. And our own big name - Geoffrey Riddle - is on hand to bring you all the news, views and betting tips from trackside. Feel free to get in touch by email: theriddleratbetfair@gmail.com or by Twitter: @louchepunter
3.05pm result - King's Stand Stakes
1: Prohibit
2: Star Witness
3: Sweet Sanette
3.05pm result - King's Stand Stakes
1: Prohibit
2: Star Witness
3: Sweet Sanette
It was a strange race, with Sweet Sanette and Overdose blazing a trial. Barely anything else got into the race. In the final furlong Star Witness and Prohibit made a late bid, but that really was a bout it. Sweet Sanette traded at as low as [1.25]. Take a bow the punter who got £5 matched on Prohibit at [250.0]
3pm:
Now the going has dried out on the straight course, I think the [3.55] about Sole Power is value. He accounted for Kingsgate Native last time, and although the favourite has won second time out in 2008 and 2009, the price more than compensates for that.
Sole Power's Haydock run was the best of career, so he is clearly improving and there is no reason why he should not run a huge race.
Sweet Sanette is getting a little agitated at the start.
2.55pm
There has been a huge run on Kingsgate Native, who now trades as the [7.6] favourite. Kingsgate Native has been a solid performer at this level and it looks as if punters are looking for proven form over the more potential abilities of Star Witness, the Australian runner, Bridgetown from America and Overdose, the Hungarian challenger.
Kingsgate Native has been allowed to go down to the start early.
2.30pm result:
1: Canford Cliffs
2: Goldikova
3: Cityscape
Well, well, well, that looked like a length to me? Richard Hughes stalked Goldikova throughout the race, and once Jamie Spencer on Cape Blanco made a beeline for the stands' side rail it was left to the big two to fight it out.
It took Canford Cliffs a moment to get into gear, at which point Goldikova was matched at as short as [1.51], but Hughes got his mount going to make it a third Royal Ascot victory in as many years for Canford Cliffs.
If you backed Goldikova, you have every right to call jockey Olivier Peslier every name under the sun for riding 1lb overweight. I never learnt any French swearwords at school. I'm afraid.
2.25pm:
Goldikova is now favourite in Betfair as the late money surges in. The French filly now trades at [2.34], with Canford Cliffs as big as [2.5]. I'm going in again.
2.20pm:
It seems we are back up an running. And just in time, too, as Olivier Peslier, the jockey of Goldikova, has been jocked up carrying a 1lb overweight. Disgraceful. It could make all the difference. What price Canford Cliffs win by a length?
1.30pm:
No, I haven't sloped off for lunch. The Wifi issues here are incredible. There's around 1,000 journalists accredited here this week, so the bandwidth must be at a critical state. Anyone in the IT business out there? I think Royal Ascot is a pretty large contract.
If communication is going to be restricted today, then I'll get straight to the point. Canford Cliffs is going to beat Goldikova today in the Queen Anne (2.30pm).
If you look at official ratings, Canford Cliffs is regarded as 2lbs better than Goldikova. The mare has to carry 3lbs less, however, but after nine runs the colt is sure to house a little more improvement. Ask Timeform, they give Canford Cliffs one of their little 'p's, denoting improvement to come. And that looked to be the case in the Lockinge last time, when he appeared sturdier and stronger in the pre-parade ring. In winning that early season Group 1 contest, Canford Cliffs attained a level of form equal to his Irish 1,000 Guineas success last year, and with Hannon sure to have left a bit of meat on the bones, a fitter and stronger Canford Cliffs should account for the mare. After all, she was the first filly to win for 40 years, illustrating how hard it is to beat the boys.
Cityscape would be an interesting outsider on good ground. Roger Charlton, the trainer, has been very patient with son of Selkirk, only running him on good or softer after he suffered an injury in Sea The Stars' 2,000 Guineas in 2009.
He was going the right way at the end of last season, and after a pipe-opener behind Dick Turpin in April, he could be a factor if there is improvement to come. He has only raced ten times.
12.30pm:
Welcome to Royal Ascot 2012 everyone. A little tip for you all, the first of many this week, don't drive to Royal Ascot. It is an infuriating trip. Much the better get the rattler. You can study the form, enjoy refreshment ,and have the benefit conveniences.
My, my we've got a feast of racing today, with the first three races this afternoon carrying Group 1 status. First up is the clash between Canford Cliffs and Goldikova in the Queen Anne (how often have races been billed as a head-to-head, only for an unheralded horse to grab the spoils?) and then we move on to the international set to between the home defence and the foreign raiders in the King's Stand Stakes. With the re-appearance of Frankel thrown in there in the St James's Palace Stakes it is quite an afternoon of racing, but for me, the betting heat of the day is the Coventry, more of which later.
We've got all the information that you need to be successful this afternoon, from the best tips in the business from Graham Cunningham, to the latest market movers and a guide to scooping the Placepot. Okay, it's not the £65m Euromillions, but it's a good start.
Prohibit arrives on the scene late to give Robert Cowell and Jim Crowley a Royal winner in the King's Stand Stakes.......
Canford Cliffs gained his third straight Royal Ascot win as he beat defending champion Goldikova in the Queen Anne Stakes.......
Kieren Fallon has been forced to miss his two rides at Royal Ascot this afternoon.......
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