Royal Ascot: Tom Collins identifies runners who may have an advantage on Tuesday

After a strange and unprecedented start to the year, most of the runners at the 2020 Royal Ascot meeting will have to produce the goods on their first outing of the season.

That is generally far from ideal, with connections ideally wanting to get a run or two under the belt of their runners to bring them on both physically and mentally for the huge challenge ahead.

So which horses are likely to have an advantage on day one of the Royal meeting? Tom Collins identifies the ones who look primed to hit the ground running.

Buckingham Palace Handicap (1.15)

A seven-furlong handicap for three-year-olds and older which ran from 2002 until 2014 before being replaced by the Commonwealth Cup, the Buckingham Palace returns this year and presents an extremely tricky task for punters who want to get off to a flying start.

A total of 66 runners have been entered for the race and the ante-post market currently has Daarik and Mutamaasik at the head of the betting, both of which are owned by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.

The regally-bred pair boast improving and attractive profiles and although the eye may be drawn to Roger Varian's Mutamaasik, the race-fit Daarik is far more likely to run his true race.

Blue Mist (pink cap): could run well freshCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

John Gosden has his string firing on all cylinders with 19 winners since racing resumed, and Daarik could hardly have been more impressive when romping home at Newcastle on his return last Saturday.

Others that have had a run since the resumption of racing and catch the eye include the Richard Hannon-trained duo Ouzo and Brian Epstein, while Blue Mist is the most likely of those making their seasonal reappearances to strike. He has form figures of 126 on his first run back from a break.

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Queen Anne Stakes (1.50)

The first Group 1 at Royal Ascot this year looks extremely tasty with a number of improving four-year-olds among the 20-strong declarations.

Ante-post favourite Circus Maximus, Fox Chairman, Mohaather,
Skardu and Turjomaan all won first time up last year, so have the ability to run well fresh. The first two mentioned are worthy of further consideration given the form of trainers Aidan O'Brien and Andrew Balding.

Fox Chairman: will return from a long break in the Queen AnneCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Meanwhile, Billesdon Brook and Lord North caught the eye with their reappearance efforts at Newmarket and Haydock respectively. I would take the unexposed Fox Chairman, who finished second in the Hampton Court Stakes at the meeting last year, at the current prices.

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Ribblesdale Stakes (2.25)

Given the unexposed profiles of all 14 entries for the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes, it is hard to know which of these talented fillies will have improved the most over the winter.

The likes of John Gosden's Frankly Darling and Miss Yoda will have Oaks aspirations after impressive reappearance victories. The former looks extremely talented.

Frankly Darling: Ribblesdale favourite after her reappearance win at NewcastleCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

However, the filly who may have the biggest advantage going into the Ribblesdale is the William Haggas-trained Born With Pride, who won her only start at two but seemed to still show plenty of signs of inexperience on her return at Kempton last week.

That effort will have brought her on plenty, which seems to be the case with all of Haggas' runners at the moment, and she may have benefited from the run more than the Gosden pair.

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King Edward VII Stakes (3.00)

It takes an exceptionally good three-year-old colt to win this 1m4f event, as proven by the recent roll of honour that includes Nathaniel (2011) and Japan (2019), who is trained by Aidan O'Brien.

O'Brien has six of the 14 entries for this year's race, the most interesting of which being Investec Derby fancy Mogul. He appeared to progress for each outing last year and although the master of Ballydoyle has his string forward, you'd have to take his fitness on trust.

Mogul: leading fancy for Aidan O'BrienCredit: Patrick McCann

A big danger could be the Andrew Balding-trained Papa Power, who only made his debut in January before cruising home in a couple of 1m2f races in February.

He has only been off the track for four months – a break that was justified after three quick runs – and looks a top-class prospect over staying trips.

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King's Stand Stakes (3.35)

This five-furlong sprint looks to be all about Battaash, who will make his return to the track since disappointing in the Prix de l'Abbaye last October, and will bid to avenge last year's defeat to Blue Point.

If anything, the fact he hasn't been seen on the track yet this season is a plus for Charlie Hills's runner as he has form figures of 1111 after a break of 200 days or more.

Battaash: has an exceptional record when freshCredit: Edward Whitaker

Irish star sprinter Sceptical and Roger Teal's Oxted have the benefit of recent runs, where they showed themselves worthy of a step up in class.

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Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (4.10)

Nine of the 15 runners declared for this mile Group 2 contest have squeezed in a run since racing in Britain resumed, so it looks wise to stick to those who are race fit, though William Haggas' Miss O Connor should not be overlooked given her record after a break.

Nazeef (blue silks) gets the better of Billesden Brook at KemptonCredit: Bill Selwyn

John Gosden's duo Nazeef and Terebellum look likely to head the betting and preference is for the former, who appeared to need the run more than Terebellum.

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Ascot Stakes (4.40)

Jumps trainers have dominated this 2m4f contest in recent years and although Willie Mullins hasn't entered any of his dual-purpose stayers, there are plenty of others to choose from.

Nicky Henderson's Verdana Blue, who goes especially well on quick ground after a break, catches the eye with Ryan Moore already booked.

Verdana Blue: targeted at the Ascot Stakes by Nicky HendersonCredit: John Grossick

Mark Johnston is arguably the most in-form trainer at the moment and his battalion could be headed by smart four-year-old , who has won first time up twice.

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Read more:

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Sheikh Fahad swoops to buy record-breaking Norfolk Stakes hope The Lir Jet

Hogan hoping Dettori can sprinkle Royal Ascot magic on star sprinter Sceptical

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