/ David Cleary / 14 June 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Dream Ahead on the gallops - can he win the race betting 'without Frankel'?
"So long as he doesn't pay too high a price for trying to take on the favourite, Dream Ahead really ought to finish second at worst in the St James's Palace Stakes."
David Cleary looks at the betting ahead of a monumental first day at Ascot
Rarely can the opening day of Royal Ascot have been awaited with such fevered anticipation, for surely a day of outstanding quality, even by the exalted standards of this fixture, is in store. Three Group 1 events open proceedings, starting with the monumental clash between Canford Cliffs and Goldikova in the Queen Anne Stakes at 14:30. This is impossible to call with confidence, and while Cape Blanco is not without a chance of causing an upset, the two favourites are obviously rock solid and seven runners make this much less appealing as an each-way race than it would have been with eight.
Frankel can't sensibly be opposed in the St James's Palace Stakes at 15:45, but there may be an option in the 'betting without' market. The horse with easily the second-best form chance is Dream Ahead. His return has been delayed by the lack of rain but the ground should be fine for him to show his form this afternoon and he's bred to stay a mile without too much trouble. So long as he doesn't pay too high a price for trying to take on the favourite Dream Ahead really ought to finish second at worst.
The King's Stand Stakes at 15:05 looks very hard, complicated by trying to guess what impact the draw will have, if any. The Coventry Stakes at 16:25 and the Windsor Castle Stakes at 17:35 for two-year-olds make limited appeal from a punting point of view, which leaves the Ascot Stakes over two-and-a-half miles at 17:00. This is typically wide open, but it will be well run and a couple of hold-up horses look overpriced in the shape of Desert Sea and Palomar. Both have plenty of form in this type of race, being strong travellers who have plenty of stamina, and with a little luck in running hold a decent chance of making the frame.
Recommended Bets:
Back Dream Ahead 'without Frankel' @ 5.5 in the 15:45 at Royal Ascot
Back Desert Sea and Palomar win and place/each-way @ 40.0 and 28.0 (win) respectively in the 17.00 at Royal Ascot
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