COMMENT & SELECTIONS - ASCOT

RACE 1: QUEEN ANNE STAKES (GROUP 1) (STR)

Palace Pier Order Of Australia Lope Y Fernandez

PALACE PIER already appears to have the mile division at his mercy, backing up his comfortable comeback success at Sandown with an imperious performance in the Lockinge. Punters aren't going to get rich backing him but it will be a big surprise if he isn't able to get Frankie Dettori's week off to a flyer. Lope Y Fernandez was disappointing behind him at Newbury, although he could close the gap on this quicker ground. Order Of Australia appears the chief Ballydoyle hope, though, despite the Breeders' Cup Mile hero making his first appearance of the year. Previous winners Lord Glitters and Accidental Agent look up against it this time.

NO. HORSE NAME

1 ACCIDENTAL AGENT Winner of five races from 6f to 1m on ground varying from good to firm to good to soft and on the all-weather, but last win was over three years ago. Finished 2 3/4l behind Ascension when fourth of 12 at 25-1 on his latest outing at Newbury over 1m (good to soft) last month.

2 BLESS HIM Winner of five races at 1m on firm and good to firm ground and on the all-weather. Beaten 8l by Palace Pier when second of 4 at 28-1 on his latest outing in the Group 2 bet365 Mile at Sandown over 1m (good) in April.

3 LOPE Y FERNANDEZ He has won three times from 6f to 1m on good and good - yielding ground. Beaten 19l behind Palace Pier at 11-2 when eighth of 11 on his latest outing in the Group 1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury over 1m (good to soft) last month.

4 LORD GLITTERS Has won nine races from 1m to 1m 2f on ground varying from good to firm to soft and on the all-weather. Finished 12l behind Palace Pier when fourth of 11 at 33-1 on his latest outing in the Group 1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury over 1m (good to soft) last month.

5 ORDER OF AUSTRALIA He has won three times from 1m to 1m 4f on good and good - yielding ground and on the all-weather. Finished 5l behind Golden Sixty when sixth of 10 on his latest outing in the Group 1 The Longines Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin over 1m in December last year.

6 PALACE PIER Winner of seven races from 7f to 1m on ground varying from good to firm to heavy and on the all-weather. Won on his latest outing when 1-2fav in the Group 1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury over 1m (good to soft) last month, beating Lady Bowthorpe by 1 1/2l. Has also won at Sandown this season.

7 POGO Winner of five races from 7f to 1m on ground varying from good to firm to good to soft. Well beaten at 66-1 behind Palace Pier when 10th of 11 on his latest outing in the Group 1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury over 1m (good to soft) last month.

8 PRINCE EIJI A winner at 7f on good ground, but that win was over two years ago. Beaten a head by Oh This Is Us when second of 9 at 8-1 on his latest outing over this course and distance (good to firm) in April. 9 REGAL REALITY He has won four times from 7f to 1m 2f on ground varying from good to firm to soft. Beaten 1/2l by when second of 6 at 17-2 on his latest outing in the Group 2 Shadwell Joel Stakes at Newmarket over 1m (good) in September last year.

10 SIR BUSKER Winner of five races from 6f to 1m on good and good to soft ground and on the all-weather. Finished 4l behind Reshabar when fourth of 10 on his latest outing at ParisLongchamp over 1m (soft) last month.

11 TOP RANK Winner of six races at 1m on ground varying from good to firm to soft and on the all-weather. Third of 11 behind Palace Pier beaten 7l at 11-1 on his latest outing in the Group 1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury over 1m (good to soft) last month.

RACE 2: COVENTRY STAKES (GROUP 2)

The Acropolis Berkshire Shadow Gisburn

Perhaps surprisingly given Wesley Ward's excellent record with juveniles at this meeting, he hasn't won this before but he has high hopes for Kaufymaker, who made a sparkling debut at Keeneland. Not too many fillies take in the Coventry, though, and the colts will fully test her mettle, with THE ACROPOLIS fancied to give Aidan O'Brien his 10th win in the race after breaking through at Listowel. Faster ground is expected to bring the son of on considerably. Gisburn was very good at Newbury, although he was only fourth behind Berkshire Shadow on his introduction. Ebro River landed the National Stakes but now goes a furlong further.

NO. HORSE NAME

1 ANGEL BLEU Foaled 16 Feb. Successful at 5f and 6f on good to firm and soft ground. Won on his latest outing when 5-2fav at Pontefract over 6f (soft) last month, beating Khunan by 1 3/4l. Has also won at Salisbury this season.

2 BERKSHIRE SHADOW Foaled 12 Mar. Dam won twice at 7f and 1m. A winner at 9-2 at Newbury over 5f (good) on his latest outing in April, beating Amazonian Dream by 1/2l.

3 CATURRA Foaled 11 Apr. Half-brother to Sir Arthur Dayne, won three times at 7f and 1m including a Group 2 race. Won on his latest outing when 8-13fav at Bath over 5f (good to soft) last month, beating Haymaker by 2 1/4l.

4 DASHING RAT Foaled 12 Apr. Placed twice in four starts. Beaten 1 3/4l by Oscula when second of 9 at 9-4fav on his latest outing at Brighton over 6f (good) last month.

5 DHABAB Foaled 9 Apr. Dam unraced. Won on his latest outing when 10-3fav at Leicester over 6f (good to firm) earlier this month, beating Sweeping by 2l.

6 EBRO RIVER Foaled 25 Jan. Successful twice at 5f on soft ground. A winner at 4-1 at Sandown over 5f (soft) on his latest outing last month, beating Little Earl by 3 1/2l. Has also won at Doncaster this season.

7 ELDRICKJONES Foaled 13 Apr. Dam won at 1m. Beaten a nose by Tareekh when second of 17 at 9-4fav on his racecourse debut at Thirsk over 6f (good to firm) earlier this month.

8 GISBURN Foaled 15 Jan. Half-brother to Encrypted, won four times at 5f and 6f. Won on his latest outing when 6-4fav at Newbury over 6f (good to soft) last month, beating Kingmax by 7l.

9 GOLDEN WAR Foaled 26 Jan. Dam a lightly raced maiden. Beaten 1 1/4l by Masekela when second of 6 at 14-1 on his racecourse debut at Goodwood over 6f (soft) last month.

10 MASSETO Foaled 6 Apr. Dam won at 7f. A winner at 6f on good ground. Beaten 2l by Castle Star when second of 7 at 15-8fav on his latest outing in the Group 3 GAIN Marble Hill Stakes at Curragh over 6f (soft - heavy) last month.

11 SECRET STRENGTH Foaled 11 Apr. A winner at 9-2 at Musselburgh over 5f (good) on his latest outing earlier this month, beating Boonie by a neck.

12 THE ACROPOLIS Foaled 23 Apr. Half-brother to Rocket Science, won twice at 7f. Won on his latest outing when 5-4fav at Listowel over 6f (yielding) earlier this month, beating Thunder Eclipse by 3 1/2l.

13 THE GATEKEEPER Foaled 18 Apr. A winner at 5f on good ground. Finished 4 1/2l behind Tipperary Sunset when fourth of 6 at 6-1 on his latest outing at Beverley over 5f (soft) last month.

14 THE ORGANISER Foaled 14 Apr. Half-brother to Rosardo Senorita, won at 1m. A winner at 11-2 at York over 6f (soft) on his latest outing last month, beating Robjon by 3 1/2l.

15 TOLSTOY Foaled 23 Feb. Dam won over hurdles at 2m 4f. A winner at 7-1 at Yarmouth over 6f (good to soft) on his latest outing last month, beating I'm A Gambler by 1/2l.

16 VINTAGE CLARETS Foaled 2 Mar. Successful twice at 5f on good to firm ground. Won on his latest outing when 4-5fav at Ayr over 5f (good to firm) in April, beating Love De Vega by 2l. Has also won at Beverley this season.

17 KAUFYMAKER Foaled 23 Mar. Half-sister to Zanno, won twice at 5f. Won on her latest outing when evens fav at Keeneland over 4f (good) in April, beating Bode By You.

RACE 3: KING'S STAND STAKES (GROUP 1)

Winter Power Battaash Liberty Beach

All eyes will be on Battaash, who has been king of the speedsters for the last few years and finally put his Royal Ascot hoodoo to bed with a dominant display in this 12 months ago. He has had an interrupted preparation, though, so can be taken on with WINTER POWER. Tim Easterby's dashing filly was brilliant on her York comeback, trouncing a subsequent Listed winner, and she is in receipt of all the allowances. July Cup hero Oxted is interesting on the drop back to the minimum, while Liberty Beach was third last year and made a victorious reappearance in the Temple Stakes.

NO. HORSE NAME

1 ARECIBO Winner of six races from 5f to 6f on ground varying from good to firm to soft and on the all-weather. A winner at 85-40 at Newmarket over 5f (soft) on his latest outing last month, beating Ishvara by 2 1/4l. Has won twice at Newmarket this season.

2 BATTAASH Has won 13 races at 5f on ground varying from good to firm to soft. Won on his latest outing when 1-2fav in the Group 1 Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York over 5f (good) in August last year, beating Que Amoro by 1l.

3 EXTRAVAGANT KID Has won 15 races from 5f to 6f on good ground and on the all- weather. A winner in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored By Azizi Developments Group 1 Stakes at Meydan over 6f (good) in March, beating Final Song by 1/2l. Having his first run for a new stable today.

4 HARRY'S BAR Has won nine races from 5f to 7f on the all-weather. Beaten 3/4l by Mooneista when second of 9 at 16-1 on his latest outing at Naas over 5f (good) in April.

5 KING'S LYNN Successful at 5f and 6f on good to firm and good to soft ground. Won on his latest outing when 3-1fav at Haydock over 5f (good to soft) last month, beating Moss Gill by a neck.

6 MAVEN He has won four times from 4f to 5f on good and good to soft ground and on the all-weather. Won on his latest outing when 5-2fav at Keeneland over 5f (good) in April, beating Boldor by 2 1/4l.

7 ORNATE Has won ten races at 5f on good to firm and good ground and on the all-weather. Beaten 7l behind Mokaatil at 16-1 when 13th of 16 on his latest outing at Epsom over 5f (good to soft) earlier this month.

8 OXTED He has won four times from 6f to 7f on good to firm and good ground. Third of 12 behind Starman beaten 3 1/2l at 10-3jt-fav on his latest outing in the Group 2 Duke Of York Clipper Logistics Stakes at York over 6f (good to soft) last month.

9 STONE OF DESTINY He has won four times from 5f to 6f on good ground and on the all- weather. Third of 16 behind Mokaatil beaten 1 3/4l at 5-1 on his latest outing at Epsom over 5f (good to soft) earlier this month.

10 GLAMOROUS ANNA She has won three times at 5f on good to firm and good ground. Beaten 5l behind Lazuli at 50-1 when seventh of 9 on her latest outing in the Group 3 Palace House Stakes at Newmarket over 5f (good to firm) last month.

11 KEEP BUSY She has won four times from 5f to 6f on ground varying from good to firm to heavy. Finished 2 1/2l behind Liberty Beach when fifth of 6 at 5-2 on her latest outing in the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock over 5f (heavy) last month.

12 LIBERTY BEACH Winner of six races from 5f to 6f on ground varying from good to firm to heavy. Won on her latest outing when 13-8fav in the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock over 5f (heavy) last month, beating Ainsdale by a neck. 13 QUE AMORO Winner of five races at 5f on good to firm and good ground. Beaten 10l behind Glass Slippers at 5-1 when 12th of 14 on her latest outing in the Group 1 Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes at Curragh over 5f (good) in September last year.

14 ACKLAM EXPRESS He has won three times at 5f on good and good to soft ground. Well beaten at 85-40fav behind Winter Power when last of 8 on his latest outing at York over 5f (good) last month.

15 UBETTABELIEVEIT He has won three times at 5f on good to firm and good ground. Beaten 16l behind Suesa when last of 8 on his latest outing in the Group 3 Prix Sigy Stakes at Chantilly over 5f (soft) in April.

16 WINTER POWER Winner of five races at 5f on ground varying from good to firm to soft. A winner at 5-1 at York over 5f (good) on her latest outing last month, beating Atalis Bay by 3l.

RACE 4: ST JAMES'S PALACE STAKES (GROUP 1) (RND)

Mostahdaf Poetic Flare Battleground

Poetic Flare has taken in all the major 2000 Guineas', claiming Classic glory at Newmarket before not showing his true colours in the French version. He was then just outstayed by stablemate at the Curragh and should confirm his superiority over . Battleground let down favourite-backers on the Rowley Mile and could easily atone, but John Gosden is treading a familiar path with MOSTAHDAF. The Newmarket handler has taken a softly-softly approach with recent St James's Palace winners Palace Pier and Without Parole, and Mostahdaf followed in the latter's hoofprints by landing the Heron Stakes, where he disposed of Highland Avenue in the style of a potential top-notcher.

NO. HORSE NAME

1 BATTLEGROUND Successful twice at 7f on good and soft ground. Beaten 20l behind Poetic Flare at 9-2fav when 13th of 14 on his latest outing in the Group 1 Qipco at Newmarket over 1m (good to firm) last month.

2 BULLACE He has won three times from 7f to 1m on good to firm ground and on the all-weather. Third of 7 behind Mostahdaf beaten 1l at 17-2 on his latest outing at Sandown over 1m (soft) last month.

3 CHINDIT He has won four times at 7f on good to firm and good ground. Finished 4 1/2l behind Poetic Flare when fifth of 14 at 12-1 on his latest outing in the Group 1 Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket over 1m (good to firm) last month.

4 HIGHLAND AVENUE He has won three times from 1m to 1m 1f on good ground and on the all-weather. Beaten 1/2l by Mostahdaf when second of 7 at 11-8fav on his latest outing at Sandown over 1m (soft) last month. Has won 3 times this season.

5 LA BARROSA Successful twice at 7f on good and good to soft ground. Finished 8l behind Mac Swiney when sixth of 11 at 10-1 on his latest outing in the Group 1 Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at Curragh over 1m (soft - heavy) last month. 6 LUCKY VEGA Successful twice at 6f on good to firm and good - yielding ground. Finished 5l behind Mac Swiney when fourth of 11 at 7-2fav on his latest outing in the Group 1 Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at Curragh over 1m (soft - heavy) last month.

7 MAXIMAL A winner at 1m on good ground. Beaten 1l by El Drama when second of 7 at 4-1 on his latest outing at Chester over 1m 2f (good to soft) last month.

8 MOSTAHDAF He has won three times from 7f to 1m on soft ground and on the all- weather. A winner at 9-2 at Sandown over 1m (soft) on his latest outing last month, beating Highland Avenue by 1/2l. Has won 3 times this season.

9 NAAMOOS He has won three times from 7f to 1m on good to firm and good ground. A winner at 11-2 at Sandown over 1m (good) on his latest outing in April, beating Buxted Too by 6l. Has also won at Musselburgh this season.

10 ONTARIO A winner at 1m on soft ground. Well beaten at 9-2 behind El Drama when last of 7 on his latest outing at Chester over 1m 2f (good to soft) last month.

11 POETIC FLARE He has won four times from 5f to 1m on ground varying from good to firm to soft - heavy. Beaten a short head by Mac Swiney when second of 11 at 5-1 on his latest outing in the Group 1 Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at Curragh over 1m (soft - heavy) last month. Has won at Newmarket and Leopardstown this season.

12 Successful twice at 7f on good and good - yielding ground. Well beaten at 11-2 behind Poetic Flare when last of 14 on his latest outing in the Group 1 Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket over 1m (good to firm) last month.

13 WEMBLEY A winner at 7f on good ground. Beaten 12l behind Mac Swiney at 11-2 when last of 11 on his latest outing in the Group 1 Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at Curragh over 1m (soft - heavy) last month.