Royal Ascot Runners

The seven Group One races that are a part of Royal Ascot ensure that many of the world’s best flat horses take part at the five-day festival. Frankel is no doubt the most eagerly anticipated of the 2011 Royal Ascot Runners after he demolished the rest of the field in the 2000 Guineas and he is expected to run against many of the same opposition again in the St James’ Palace Stakes on the first of the five days.

Derby winner Workforce a Royal Ascot runner to watch

Workforce was one of the stars of the 2010 flat season after a romping to success in the Derby and he is on course to make his first Royal Ascot appearance this year. Frankel already has two Group One victories to his name in his short five-race career and will fancy adding another at Royal Ascot. He currently holds entries in the Coronation Cup and the Prince of Wales Stakes, meaning connections have some time to decide whether the horse is better suited to 1m4f like the Derby or a drop in trip to 1m2f.

Goldikova vs Canford Cliffs a potential crunch showdown

Wonder mare Goldikova has already racked up 13 Group One victories during an illustrious career, while she has also triumphed in ten of her last 12 starts. On her only start at Royal Ascot to date, Goldikova claimed victory in the Queen Anne Stakes and this is a race that she is scheduled to enter again. Paco Boy laid down a mighty challenge 12 months ago and this time it is Canford Cliffs who could give her the most to do.

Canford Cliffs has won on list four starts over 1m and certainly has the credentials to take the mantle of being the champion over the distance. However, connections have not totally decided whether the Queen Anne Stakes will be the race he will contend at Royal Ascot. Although never having previously run over 1m2f, Canford Cliffs also holds an entry in the Prince of Wales Stakes, which is a race that may include Aidan O’Brien’s So You Think.