What a start.

The Queen Anne Stakes, Frankel and most likely his last time at a mile.

He won’t be beaten and naturally it’s to be watched to appreciate and saviour the world’s greatest colt. For the others, Excelebration and Strong Suit it will be the last time these miler’s will see his rear end. There’ll be relief in that especially for the O’Brien colt that in any other generation would have shined having been four times behind him, twice in Group 1’s.

Don’t be tempted to take the 7/2 on offer about the field stopping Frankel.

The King Stand Stakes is a very competitive affair.

Of the principles there is concern about the ground. The connections of Bathed Breath, Sole Power and Ortensia must all have ground concerns as all will have a preference for a quicker surface. The same must apply to the Hong Kong horses Joy And Fun and Little Bridge.

The one’s to have displayed some ability to handle the good to soft will be led by Wizz Kid. Robert Collet’s filly has won the last two renewals of the Prix Du Gros-Chene but didn’t manage to sandwich any wins in between.

Robert Cowell is represented by three Spirit Quartz, Hamish McGonagall and Monsieur Joe. The first will be more fancied than the latter two though they have some form on the ground.

Tangerine Trees is another to come into it on the basis of a Group 1 win in the Prix de D’Labbaye and a prior victory at Beverley in good to soft and must offer each way prospects at 25/1.

The Saint James Palace Stakes won’t top last year when Frankel won but still promises to be a cracker.

Power showed his he was no fan of the soft at Newmarket in the Guineas but bounced back in Ireland on a descent surface. He was a super two year old but he’s worth taking on in the ground.

Born To Sea is tried again after an improved performance at the Curragh where the hood he wore settled him. If they can balance running too free at Newmarket and settling too well then he’s a threat.

On juvenile running in the National Stakes Dragon Pulse has only a 1/2 L to find on the favourite. On his reappearance this year he beat Dabarism in very good style in the Prix De Fontainblue before running a stinker in the Prix D’Essai Des Poulains. It’s a run to forget.

The French Guineas was a messy affair but not half as messy as the Prix Du Jockey Club turned out to be. Talk about overcrowding in the straight, it was lucky that some didn’t come down. Most Improved was one of those most affected and we just might see the talking horse of the spring display what was shown to those who were lucky enough to see him on the gallops.

In The Coventry Stakes Dawn Approach, already favourite for next year’s Guineas, looks an exciting colt in the making. The son of New Approach is unbeaten in three and looked out of the top drawer in the first two. Not as exciting in his last run he nevertheless ground out the win easily enough to get the better of Mister Marc at Naas. He may well justify his place at the top of the Guineas market in his stiffest test to date.

Selections

The Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) – No Bet

The King Stand Stakes (Group 1) – Tangerine Trees E/W 25/1

The Saint James Palace Stakes – Most Improved E/W 8/1

The Coventry Stakes (Group 2) – Dawn Approach Win 4/1