Straight From The Horses Mouth 22/6/12

Will be updated again by 11am

Friday 22^nd June

14:30 Albany Stakes

Tassel 9/1 - She beat two next-time winners on her Newmarket debut and we were excited that she would go one better than Inetrobil last year. Next time at Salisbury she injured herself at some point – perhaps as she skewed out of the stalls and Richard Hughes allowed her to come home in her own time. The fact that Richard stays loyal to Tassel suggests that in her Newmarket mood she must be there or thereabouts – and will be decent odds: on her debut she was sent off 6/5 favourite – everyone knew what she was really capable of. – Highclere
Kosika 16/1 - Kosika was green on her debut and she has improved for that outing. She is doing everything professionally at home and I think that she will run a good race. The only thing I am not sure about is the ground, because she won on good to firm at Haydock and she could encounter slower conditions at Ascot. We won’t know how she copes with it until she runs. Mahmood Al Zarooni
Mary's Daughter 25/1 - She ran desperately at Ripon on debut but bounced right back at 50-1 at Leicester the next day. She's a tough, hardy filly but it's a very open race. I don't think the soft ground will bother her as there was plenty of cut at Leicester and it will be interesting to see how she goes – Ricahrd Fahey
 Equitania 16/1 - Newfangled looks the one to beat here after her very impressive Newmarket debut win a fortnight ago; I rode the fourth in that race and the winner looked a Group horse to me. Equitania will probably be one of the outsiders here, especially as the form of her Ascot second isn't working out too well. The winner hasn't been out since but the third and fourth haven't done much for the form. But I know the stable like her and she will have learned a lot from her first start and the extra furlong will suit, too. But a place is probably as much as we can hope for. Ryan Moore

15:05 King Edward VII Stakes

Noble Mission & Thomas Chippendale – Frankel’s brother Noble Mission heads to the King Edward VII Stakes where he could be joined by Thomas Chippendale. Noble Mission has done nothing but improve and we expect a good run from him. Thomas Chippendale won very well at Newmarket last time and will be better at a mile and a half – Sir Henry Cecil
 Astrology 11/8 - Noble Mission and Thought Worthy look the main dangers on form but I liked Shantaram at Lingfield and I would be inclined to to ignore his unimpressive maiden win last time. And i think it is significant that Wiliam rides him. But if Astrology runs to form, they are playing for second place on what we saw at Epsom. If there is any more rain, that wouldn't inconvenience him on what we saw at Chester. Ryan Moore

15:45 Coronation Stakes

Irish History 16/1 - Irish History won very well at Windsor but she had no luck at Sandown. I think that she has the ability to run well in a big race like this and she will have no problem with the ground. Mahmood Al Zarooni
 Russelliana 25/1 - Maybe would have been favourite for this race, but she is out with a bruised foot. And, anyway, it looks as if all the 3yo fillies are taking it in turns to beat each other over a mile, so this race lacks a stand-out performer. Obviously, Homecoming Queen has a massive chance on her Newmarket win for me and any further rain would suit her, Samitar won well at the Curragh and the second won the Jersey yesterday, and Laugh Out Loud looks a progressive filly too.
But I have an outside chance on Russelliana. That may seem a little hopeful given what she showed us in the Nell Gwyn on her reappearance but she works much better than that and I thought she could develop into to a class filly when second in the Cherry Hinton last season. She has had her problems and the draw doesn't help, but she isn't a no-hoper by any means. Ryan Moore

16:25 Wolferton Handicap

Danadana & Kirthill - Danadana has only got in the weights because he won the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar last time but though he is up another 7lb he should go well as he is a strong traveller who will be able to sit close to the pace which is just what you need on the round course at Ascot. Kirthill hasn't run since York in May and might be seen by some as our second string but he came on tremendously for his first run last year, has been working well and shouldn't be dismissed. – Luca Cumani
Kirthill 16/1 - Looked to run ok at York on his reappearance last month. I don't know much about the horse other than that I hear he is working ok, and you always have to respect one of Luca's here. The horse looked very progressive last year and has winning form with cut in the ground too. But it remains to be seen whether he can cope with a 6lb rise in the weights from his Newbury win last season, especially as there are no end of horses in here on a steep upward curve, some of whom are sure to have further improvement to show today Ryan Moore

Mijhaar 4/1 -  was last seen finishing third in the Hambleton Stakes at York and has course form at Ascot having been fourth behind Nathaniel in last season’s King Edward VII Stakes. Roger said: “I was pleased with his reappearance over a trip shorter than ideal and I hope that has put him spot on for this. “Ground permitting this has been his target for some time as the track and trip suits him. The softer the ground the better for him and he has a good draw – we are hopeful.” Roger Varian

Retrieve 18/1 - I was pleased with Retrieve’s latest run and he has been working well recently. We will give him a chance in a big handicap like this and I am hopeful that he can run a nice race again. Saeed bin Suroor

French Navy 16/1 - French Navy is a bit of a conundrum because he is in good form but I am just a little concerned that he might be too fresh on his first run of the year. Having said that, he won on his first start last year so perhaps he is best as a fresh horse. Hopefully, the latter is true and he can run well. Mahmood Al Zarooni

Con Artist 20/1 - Con Artist’s latest piece of work went nicely and he is ready to go. A mile and a quarter is his best trip and I am looking to see a good run. Saeed bin Suroor

17:00 Queen's Vase

Yazdi 6/1 - Easy winner over a mile and a half on the soft on only his second start, this son of Galileo should have no problems with the ground and he has decent prospects of getting this extra half mile, albeit in much higher grade. Brian Meehan
 Estimate 4/1 -Estimate goes in to the race with plenty to find on form, but I think she will run ok. She is a not a good workhorse at home, so you wouldn't know how good she is, but she won her maiden at Salisbury well and I think she is guaranteed to stay and run a nice race. Her pedigree is all stamina, and she is from the family of the Aga Khan's that has produced a Gold Cup winner, and an Irish Oaks-French St Leger winner, to name but two. Like I said, she would have upwards of a stone to find with some of these but I think the step up to 2m will bring about considerable improvement. Ryan Moore

17:35 Buckingham Palace Stakes

Noble Citizen -course specialist Noble Citizen is likely to head to the Buckingham Palace Stakes. The seven-year-old often runs his best races at the Berkshire track, including when winning a competitive 6f handicap last summer. His trainer said: “Noble Citizen is being aimed at the Buckingham Palace handicap and he is another who showed signs of form last time. He was a running on second from a very uncompromising position at Goodwood – David Simcock

Tariq Too - He is a real soft ground performer and if the rain continues (sorry everyone wishing for summer!) he may well be or first runner at Royal Ascot. The race suitable for him is on Friday, the 7f Buckingham Palace Stakes. Tariq Too, a cheap purchase at 13'000gns, is really giving his owners a chance to live the dream. - Amy Weaver

Primaeval - Primaeval is likely to go for the Buckingham Palace Stakes on Friday rather than the Royal Hunt Cup, and I think James Fanshawe is right to go for the seven furlong race, rather than the mile, as he has so much speed. I put the finishing touches on him this morning and he felt great, although I can’t take any credit, it’s down to Nick there who regularly rides him.  - Hayley Turner

 Emilio Largo - I think the stiff seven furlongs will suit him and this race is often less of a cavalry cavalry charge than the Royal Hunt Cup. - Sir Henry Cecil

Eton Forever 16/1 - hasn’t won since his victory in the Spring Mile last April but he rarely runs a bad race and should be competitive again. Roger added: “Eton Forever is in great form and was extremely unlucky at Chester last time out. “Although he is high enough in the weights, I still feel that he has a race of this nature in him and that he can be competitive. “Ease in the ground would be a concern as his best form has come on a sound surface.” Roger Varian

Castles In The Air 25/1 - I'm a fraction worried if it keeps raining as his best form is on fast ground but for some reason he's been working exceptionally well recently, I'm very happy with him and on good ground I'd be more confident. As long as it doesn't get heavy he'll take his chance. Richard Fahey