Royal Ascot Tips: Rhys Williams has a 40/1 NAP on Day 2

Finally an opportunity over a straight mile

Ascot 16:20: Kennella 1pt e/w 40/1

Ever since Kennella finished fifth in the Prix Imprudence last year I've been waiting for her to run over a straight mile and fourteen months later she now has the chance to do that.

In the Imprudence, she was gradually restrained to race at the back of the field and was still there two furlongs out. She was initially switched to the near side to make her challenge before being switched back towards the middle and she finished strongly to take fifth.

She followed that with a very good run to finish third, one place behind Mother Earth, in the French 1000 Guineas. Having been held up, she was a bit short of room two furlongs out and again late on when she was in danger of running on to the heels of Mother Earth. She finished strongly to take third, just a short neck behind that rival.

Kennella put in another good performance when a close second to Tahlie in a Group 2 at Chantilly next time. Held up last of the five runners, she was driven along two furlongs out and took a while to hit top gear. She finished strongly on the outside and was closing at the line but could only get to within a head of the winner.

Her two runs since have been a bit disappointing but both of those were over seven furlongs and the absence after being a non runner at Deauville in July until appearing at Fontainebleau in mid-November suggests she likely had a problem.

I think the switch to a straight mile on a stiff track will be ideal for her and could see her at least get back to the form she showed at Longchamp and Chantilly last season if not build on it. She should also have a good pace to close into with Novemba in the field as she looks to need to lead to run to her best and Saffron Beach will likely be close behind pushing her along.

There is a slight concern over the quick ground and it might be that whatever caused the absence in the second half of last season means she can't run to her best anymore but I think this course gives her a good chance to bounce back and any 25/1 or bigger appeals.