Oisin Murphy has teamed up with Star Sports to review the rides he has booked on day one of Royal Ascot.
Oisin Murphy will be providing a review of his rides and chances on his Star Sports blog every day this week – and here is a taste of what’s to come…
“I’m so looking forward to riding back at Royal Ascot this week. It’s always been a significant week for me even when I was a child,” he said.
“I used to watch at home and see the likes of Kieren Fallon and Jamie Spencer riding winners for Ballydoyle. From an early age I always dreamed of being a part of it.
“It’s a place of massive highs and lows. I remember back in 2021 winning the Commonwealth Cup aboard Dragon Symbol and then losing it in the Stewards room.
“Then, in the very next race, I won the Coronation Stakes for Andrew (Balding) aboard Alcohol Free. That was a hell of a day.
“Looking ahead to this year and I feel I’m riding okay. I’ve ridden plenty of seconds this week, which is always frustrating, but I didn’t leave any winners out there at Sandown on Saturday.
“The first day of the meeting is always exciting and I’d say of my six rides I’ve a few chances to get on the scoresheet.”
Berkshire Shadow
2.30pm Queen Anne Stakes – Group One
“The first of the Group One races is the Queen Anne which I’m yet to win – hopefully Berkshire Shadow can rectify that!
“Andrew has done a brilliant job with this fella and has never lost faith in him. By gelding him (he was never colty), he made him easier to train and slowly built up his confidence again with a couple of nice wins on the all-weather.
“He ran great in the Lockinge at Newbury where he ran on nicely to be third. I suppose I don’t have to ride him cold, but I’d imagine he will be slowly sneaking into it and will stay on nicely.
“I’ve plenty of respect for Modern Games who has won all over the world, while Inspiral has been working nicely in the build-up to this apparently.
“They look the obvious two, but we’ll give it our best shot.”
