Willie Carson, the four-time Derby-winning jockey with 56 Royal Ascot winners to his name, has picked out Bow Echo as his strongest bet of the entire meeting. The legendary rider, speaking to the outlet, said the George Boughey-trained colt could end up being horse of the year after his “exceptional” 2,000 Guineas victory.
He is backing the son of Night Of Thunder to follow up that Classic win in Tuesday’s St James’s Palace Stakes. “I saw a photo of him in Newmarket today and he looked an incredible specimen,” the former jockey said.
“For me, he is one of the strongest picks of the entire week.”
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The five-day Royal Ascot meeting kicks off with the Queen Anne Stakes, where his strongest fancy is Notable Speech. The multiple Group One winner has never won at Ascot, but his Lockinge victory was “outstanding” according to the former jockey.
Aussie sprinters pose a serious threat
The first real international flavour at the meeting comes in the shape of Australian sprinter Overpass, running in the King Charles III Stakes. Carson believes both he and fellow raider Joliestar, who runs in Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, will be hard to catch.
“These Australian sprinters operate at another level,” he said. “When you consider the calibre of horses they have been competing against, including Ka Ying Rising who is widely regarded as the best sprinter in the world, the European runners may have a difficult task on their hands.”
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Ombudsman gets the nod over Daryz
Wednesday’s Prince Of Wales’s Stakes features defending champion Ombudsman taking on Arc hero Daryz, currently both at 5/4. Carson delivered a definitive pick. “I am prepared to oppose Daryz with Ombudsman,” he said. “It promises to be a fascinating contest, but I think the Godolphin runner could have the advantage if conditions remain on the quicker side.”
In the Gold Cup, Carson is keen to oppose the Aidan O’Brien-trained Scandinavia with Rahiebb. That horse made a “huge impression” on him with his return at York, and he expects the result of their Leger clash to be reversed over the longer trip.
Fillies and sprinters in the spotlight
Friday brings two Group One contests. In the Commonwealth Cup, Carson is particularly strong on Venetian Sun. “What she produced at Haydock was remarkable,” he said. “I think the rest may simply be trying to keep up with her.”
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For the Coronation Stakes, Carson noted that Precise looked to have taken a step forward from the Newmarket Guineas with her victory in Ireland. But he added that Touleen could improve again from her Guineas run and should not be overlooked.
“We’re in for a brilliant week of racing at Royal Ascot and there is no shortage of star quality on display,” Carson said.
The meeting gets underway on Tuesday in Berkshire.