Royal Ascot

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Makfi set to confirm Guineas form at Royal Ascot
07/06/10

Next Tuesday's Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot, promises to be one of the races of the meeting with a potential rematch between the first, second and third home in last month's Stan James.com 2000 Guineas sure to provide a thrilling race, writes Elliot Slater.

My hunch is that the placings will remain pretty much the same with French star Makfi leading the field home,

I find it somewhat surprising that Canford Cliffs, third behind Makfi and Dick Turpin at Newmarket before winning the Irish 2000 Guineas, is the strong 6/4 ante-post favourite, while his conqueror as big as 11/4, and Dick Turpin available at up to 6/1 in the best betting site odds.

Although Canford Cliffs was impressive in his Irish victory, that performance shouldn't obscure the fact he has finished behind stable companion Dick Turpin twice this season and has nearly two lengths to find with Makfi, a horse who has never been beaten and won with something in hand at HQ.

To be honest, Dick Turpin might well prove a bigger danger to Makfi than Canford Cliffs, the form of his half-length second in the French 2000 Guineas having been given a massive boost on Sunday when the winner Lope De Vega absolutely hacked up in the French Derby at Chantilly.

Makfi, a powerful son of Dubawi, could truly be anything. Having run just three times there has to be considerable room for further improvement. It's also fair to say the current crop of French three-year-olds appear to be among the best they've produced on the other side of the Channel for quite some time, and they could do better at the forthcoming Royal meeting than has been the case in recent seasons. Those who keep an eye on horse racing tips should bear this in mind.

The 11/4 Makfi looks well worth taking and could prove to be one of the best investments you'll make all Royal Ascot week.