King's Stand Stakes Betting Preview - Royal Ascot

TAKE THE STAND WITH TATLING<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> It will be a case of déjà vu shortly after 3.05pm on Tuesday 14th June when The Tatling, who is a top-priced 5-1 at the time of writing, crosses the line first for the second year running in the Group Two King's Stand Stakes.The eight-year-old usually needs a couple of runs to fully dislodge the winter-induced cobwebs, which he has had, and is generally at his best at this time of the year, as he demonstrated when running on strongly to beat Cape Of Good Hope by a length-and-a-half in this race last year.Milton Bradley's charge was probably to the fore a little earlier than was ideal when finishing under one-length fifth to Celtic Mill in the Temple Stakes at Sandown, and is confidently expected to exact revenge on that winner, and the second that day, Orientor, both of whom he meets on 4lb better terms this time. Admittedly, it was a surprise to see him beaten by Var in Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp on Arc day in October, having beaten that rival on 5lb better terms a month earlier at Newbury. However, The Tatling had accrued far more miles on his equine clock at that point in the season compared to Var, and it's likely that he was just a few pounds below his best there.Var was probably in need of the run when coming home a well-held eighth in the Temple Stakes and should fare a lot better with that run under his belt. The six-year-old, who was a smart sprinter in his native America before switching to Clive Brittain's Newmarket-based yard, should be in the shake up if running to form.Peter Makin's Pivotal Point improved throughout last term. After landing the Stewards' Cup in good style, he made a successful transition into pattern class when beating The Tatling by a length at Longchamp. The gelding went on to impressively beat Airwave by three lengths in the six-furlong Diadem Stakes at Ascot, with The Tatling a further length-and-a-quarter adrift in third. However, the The Tatling is 6lb and 4lb better off respectively compared to those two races, and is therefore fancied to come out on top, especially as Pivotal Point will be making his seasonal reappearance on Tuesday. Cape Of Good Hope ran out of his skin at this meeting last year, finishing second in the King's Stand Stakes before finishing a close-up third to Fayr Jag in the Golden Jubilee Stakes four days later. What is rather disconcerting about the Hong Kong raider, is that he's only scored once in his last 26 starts, underlining the fact that he often finds one or two too good. Avonbridge seemed to be outpaced before keeping on again close home when third to The Trader at Chantilly last time and one can't help thinking that he comes up just a bit short at this level, while Majestic Missile has never recaptured his excellent two-year-old form and looks held by many of these. Boogie Street was readily held by The Tatling in this race last year and then at Newbury later in the season and, although he looked revitalised by a change in tactics when held up before scoring cosily at Goodwood last time, I doubt he'll be good enough to match The Tatling's decisive turn-of-foot. Betting verdict: 1pt win The Tatling @ 5-1 (Bet 365, VCBet)