Aussie mare in town to showcase her talents
Khaadem is a two-time winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (15:40) at the grand age of seven and eight in recent years. The fact that a veteran sprinter can go back-to-back tells you all you need to know about a UK sprinting bunch that has lacked a superstar for a while and he is back for more on Saturday at 10.
We could have one on Saturday in the shape of Joliestar, an Australian five-year-old mare who is one of the best in the business down under, and in truth, should eat this lot for breakfast.
Comparisons will obviously be drawn to the great Black Caviar, who was also a five-year-old when landing this prize in 2012. A day I can count as the best atmosphere on a racetrack and build-up that had all the drama you'd want. It's been too long for another Aussie superstar, and at 15/82.88 from 2/13.00 on the Sportsbook on Friday morning, I cannot see her drifting at all.
Second last year, can Moore go one better?
The race, as it should, has a truly international feel to it with the crack Japanese sprinter Satono Reve, a seven-year-old next best in the betting at 15/44.75. Again, with the World Pool fanatics out there, I just cannot see how either of the two international runners can drift.
Satono Reve finished second to Lazzat in the race 12 months ago under the magic man Joao Moreira when a 2/13.00 market leader. Moreira may be the magic man in Hong Kong, but he's the Great Soprendo compared to Ryan Moore, who'd be more of a Paul Daniels. Incidentally I worked alongside Debbie McGhee in the vaults high up in the sky and gods when she covered this meeting for Radio Berkshire. Now that's magic.
Moore is drawn in 18, and 'J Mac', on Joliestar has potentially the less impressive draw in nine.
Satono Reve finished second to the god of racing Ka Ya Rising last time. It would have been something if Ka Ya Rising had rocked up here.
These two internationals have Timeform weight adjusted figures of 133 and 132, so are very much market leaders in every aspect.
Pass on Overpass
Bjorn Baker's Overpass is back for more after finishing third in the King Charles III on Tuesday, but stepping up in distance judged on his performance in the 5f Group 1 doesn't look too much of a positive.
He was picked off and ran a much slower final furlong in the King Charles - posting 12.35 seconds against the winner and runner-up at 11.75 and 11.96.
Overpass was easy to spot with his huge white blaze, and while Aussie sprinters back in the day used to do the back up from Tuesday to Saturday for fun, I can bypass him for the 6f and he is an 8/19.00 shot.
Pace map and tactics with draw positions
Friday could be a key day in terms of the draw assessment, although at the time of writing and pre-racing for the Friday, the going report from the track had the far side so much slower than stands' and centre at 8.3 against 8.9 and 8.9 on the stick.
FRONT RUNNERS: Regional (2).
PROMINENT: Great Wish (8), Jasour (17), Kind Of Blue (5), Lugal (4), Overpass (7), Regional (2), Satono Brave (18), Joliestar (9), Time For Sandals (16).
MID DIVISION: Aramram (3), Commanche Brave (12), Jasour (17), Khaadem (14), Lake Forest (1), Flora Of Bermuda (13).
HOLD-UP: Almeraq (11), Aramram (3), Commance Brave (12), Khaadem (14), Lake Forest (1), Powerful Glory (10), Sajir (6), Stolen Kiss (15), Flora Of Bermuda (13).
Second Chance Token Offer
Betfair are offering Second Chance Tokens on the fifth and final day of Royal Ascot on Saturday where you can get your money back as a free bet up to £50 if your horse finishes second/third/fourth.
Is there an each-way play at a huge price?
Flora Of Bermuda was third in the race 12 months ago but isn't a big enough price for me here at 11/112.00 to take a swing, although her stall position in 13 is more of a help than a hindrance.
Lake Forest is also 11/112.00, and a 7f win at Haydock last time puts him in the picture back down in distance to a stiff 6f. However, he is drawn in one over the far side. No thank you.
Almeraq is the prospect, a four-year-old with just six career starts and I liked how he came from off the pace at Salisbury last time to win the Listed Cathedral Stakes.
He doesn't appear to have 5f speed, but a nice stiff 6f will suit him and his last two runs (completed runs as he was a faller in between) have seen him post TF figures of 114 and 114+ at Ayr .
Whether he is up to this sort of level and class we will see, but he's drawn high and Ascot might just suit him. At 20/121.00 he is worth a play EW.
Alan Dudman's 1-2-3-4
1) Joliestar
2) Satono Reve
3) Almeraq
4) Jasour
The only thing that might stop Joliestar is whether the travel has taken anything out of her, but she has hit peak form figures in her last three runs at Randwick and has the Timeform figure to back it up.
As the best bet of the race for me, we also have the Betfair Tokens with money back up to £50 of the stake for a second, third or fourth finish.
Jasour is a complete rag at 50s, but he was sixth in the race last year, has won at the track and has a high draw, so might be able to outrun his big number.
Back Joliestar to win 15:40 at Royal Ascot
Back Jasour EW four places in the 15:40 at Royal Ascot