PATIENCE ALEXANDER, who showed off her paces in impressive style at York last month, can hit the heights at Royal Ascot today for Welsh trainer David Evans.

A nine lengths winner on her debut at Wolverhampton, Patience Alexander stepped-up considerably on that performance on Knavesmire next time when landing Listed race glory in the Marygate Stakes, which was a very competitive race.

In second place that day was Tiggy Wiggy, subsequent winner of the National Stakes at Sandown and runner-up in the Queen Mary Stakes at this meeting earlier in the week. The form looks rock-solid and Patience Alexander, who promises to be at least as good if not better over this sixth furlong, should be a tough nut to crack. Adam Kirby takes the mount.

Malton trainer Richard Fahey saddles Sandiva in the Coronation Stakes and is hopeful that Frankie Dettori's mount, who finished ninth in the 1,000 Guineas, can improve on that performance and make a telling blow in the in this Group 1 event.

It is, though, going to be difficult. Lightning Thunder, who finished second in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket and also second in the Irish equivalent, will be a tough nut to crack, while Kiyoshi and My Titania, both of whom are making their seasonal debuts after proving themselves very smart last season. The vote goes to Kiyoshi, runaway winner of the Albany Stakes at this meeting last year, beating Sandiva into second place.

Fahey runs four in the Buckingham Palace Handicap and while Heaven's Guest may prove the best of the quartet, Russian Realm will be hard to beat under Ryan Moore, pictured.

Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, the four-year-old was most impressive when winning easily at Goodwood last month. He has since gone up 8lb in the ratings, but he is a horse with bags of potential and is expected to prove equal to this task.

Stoute is enjoying a fine week and the Newmarket trainer can also land the King Edward Vll Stakes with Snow Sky. The mount of James Doyle, the three-year-old won the Lingfield Derby Trial after finishing second to Western Hymn on his reappearance at Newbury. Western Hymn may beat him again, but he had a hard race when sixth in the Derby less than a fortnight ago and that gives Snow Sky the chance to gain his revenge.

Just The Judge may prove the answer to the Wolferton Handicap.

Winner of last year's Irish 1,000 Guineas, Charlie Hills' filly ran a fine race to finish third in Group 3 company at Epsom last time and is fancied to benefit over this stiffer test of stamina.

The Queen's Vase over two miles looks tricky, but John Gosden's Marzocco makes plenty of appeal after good runner-up efforts on his previous two outings. This marked step up in distance is fancied to bring out significant improvement in him and this likeable colt is napped to come good under William Buick.

At Redcar. Push Me can lift the Racing UK Anywhere Available Now Handicap.

A Hamilton winner three outings ago before being inconvenienced by soft ground next time, Push Me was narrowly beaten at Carlisle on Monday back on her favourite quick going. Iain Jardine's mare will be well handled by 5lb claimer Shane Gray.

Related (4.10), a good scond at Goodwood last time, and See Vermont (5.50), who shaped well on his reappearance, are two others to note at the seaside course on the first of their two-pronged fixture.

 

Racing selections

Royal Ascot today
2.30 Patience Alexander, 3.05 Just The Judge, 3.45 Snow Sky, 4.25 Kiyoshi, 5.00 Marzocco (NAP), 5.35 Russian Realm.

Redcar today
2.20 Potent Embrace, 2.55 Reet Petite, 3.30 Magnolia Ridge, 4.10 Related, 4.45 Aqua Ardens, 5.20 Push Me, 5.50 See Vermont.

Today's other meetings
Market Rasen, Goodwood, Newmarket

Tomorrow's meetings
Royal Ascot, Ayr, Haydock, Lingfield, Newmarket and Redcar.