2009 ROYAL ASCOT DAY 1 BETTING TIPS PART ONE

The Royal Ascot is currently less than 24 hours away from the 2:30 Queen Anne Stakes and we've got some absolutely stellar odds available on the day's action with Paddy Power. My tip for the opening race is 5/2 Gladiatorus, who boasts an absolutely stellar record this year, as this American runner dominated his races at Nad Al Sheba earlier in the year. Three wins from three runs give me some real confidence that this horse will have what it takes, as the level of competition is just as high as you'd get in the Queen Anne. He won the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free over a field of 16 and I'm not put off a bit by his 5/2 price. I think he's a steal and will likely be available at shorter odds tomorrow. Get in there and back him now. Paco Boy is second placed favourite at 11/4 and that's all wrong to me. So far this year he is 8-1-4 and that's not Ascot winning form, especially against a runner like Gladiatorus. If you're looking to back somebody else, check out Main Aim at 9/2, he scored twice this year in his only two runs at Newbury and Haydock besting fields of 10. I think the distance suits him and a Gladiatorus/Main Aim forecast is a solid wager in my opinion. In the 3:05 King Stand Stakes, I really like the favourite Amour Propre, but I've also got my eye on 10/1 Tax Free. This Ian Hewitson-owned Irish runner is older than the rest of the field, but is still kicking well with some good form this year. He also closed out quite well last season and hasn't finished outside the top 5 in two years. I think he's a great bet for the place and could make up the low end of your exotic bets. I'm backing 10/3 Amour Propre all the way here though, his form is just that good. A lifetime record of 7-1-1-1-1 shows a horse in quality form. With Dane O'Neill on top, he's a major threat.