Horse Racing Tips: Mick Fitzgerald’s slick picks for Day 1 at Royal Ascot

Mick Fitz is locked and loaded for all the TV Races on day one of the five-day fiesta.

Mick Fitzgerald Ascot 2023

By / Horse Racing Tips, Royal Ascot / 2 years ago

Mick Fitzgerald’s Horse Racing Tips

14:30 – Chindit (each-way)
15:05 – Army Ethos (each-way)
15:40 – Coolangatta
16:20 – Paddington
17:00 – Calling the Wind
17:35 – Buckaroo
18:10 – Vauban

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

14:30 – Chindit (each-way)

I have gone for a bit of value in the opener with Chindit. He was not beaten far in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury when he tried to bite Modern Games and William Buick as they passed him Jockey Pat Dobbs felt he was in front too soon that day so this straight mile is perfect for him. He can pull off a bit of a surprise in the first race at Royal Ascot.

15:05 – Army Ethos (each-way)

Trainer Archie Watson won this last year with Bradsell for the same connections. He sent Army Ethos up to Ayr to win his maiden and he made no mistake. It was the manner of the victory that impressed and he has to be a player in this contest. Aidan O’Brien’s River Tiber is the likely market leader and as long as there is cut in the ground, he will take some pegging back. His price reflects that.

15:40 – Coolangatta

The Australian sprinters are normally a fair way ahead of the home team, so I’ll side with Coolangatta. She has the services of Royal Ascot regular James McDonald, which is a plus. Highfield Princess is an unbelievable story and it would be remarkable were she to win but the Aussie raider can repel her.

16:20 – Paddington

They didn’t seem to go much of a gallop in the early part of the Irish 2,000 Guineas but Paddington quickened up very smartly to put the race to bed at the business end. The St James’ Palace Stales is run on the round course and the best horse doesn’t always win. However, Paddington has plenty of speed which will will stand him in good stead and help the Ballydoyle runner edge it over Chaldean.

17:00 – Calling The Wind

Richard Hughes was no stranger to the winner’s enclosure as a jockey at Royal Ascot and it would mean the world to him to have a winner as a trainer. Billy ‘the kid’ Loughnane rides Calling the Wind who is at the foot of the weights and conditions are perfect for him. Bring On The Night hasn’t run since finishing second to Ascot Gold Cup favourite Coltrane. Top jumps trainer Willie Mullins has booked Ryan Moore again and connections have obviously been protecting his mark since that run 12 months ago.

17:35 – Buckaroo

Oisin Murphy has wasted no time getting among the winners this season since his return from a ban and he’s riding better than ever. He is the retained rider for Qatar Racing and Buckaroo got beaten in a Derby Trial last year at Leopardstown. He was only beaten and neck in a Group One in France recently and that form is good enough to win this Listed contest. He is versatile as regards the ground so should cope with whatever conditions are thrown at him on the day.

18:10 – Vauban

It is hard to get away from the Willie Mullins and Ryan Moore combo again. They have been the punters’ pals at Royal Ascot for the last few years in the long distance races and Vauban has run some good races at the top level over hurdles, including when winning the Triumph Hurdle, and had some smart Flat form in France. This 1m 6f Flat race looks to be the perfect fit for him.

Mick Fitzgerald’s Horse Racing Tips

14:30 – Chindit (each-way)
15:05 – Army Ethos (each-way)
15:40 – Coolangatta
16:20 – Paddington
17:00 – Calling the Wind
17:35 – Buckaroo
18:10 – Vauban

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

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