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Five overseas raider tips for Royal Ascot

Royal Ascot begins on Tuesday, June 14 and Planet Sport have scoured the globe for the best overseas entries for the meeting that attracts top hats and top horses.

Royal Ascot is not just a celebration of the best of British and Irish racing, it attracts talent from across the world like wasps to a discarded champagne glass.

With plenty of top class breeding and training operations spread over the globe, Planet Sport have taken a look at the best overseas raiders at Royal Ascot 2022 so you don't underestimate the value in horses from France, Japan, Australia and more.

King's Stand Stakes - Tuesday, June 14

Golden Pal

Looking to be heading for the five furlongs King's Stand instead of the six furlong Platinum Jubilee, American sprint supremo Wesley Ward can't wait to put on the top hat and tails and unleash speed demon Golden Pal.

Owned by the heavyweight Magnier, Tabor et al, Uncle Mo colt Golden Pal was only beaten a neck in the 2020 Norfolk Stakes by the Lir Jet and the affable Ward is more than ready for revenge.
"I'm so excited for this horse I can't even tell you. He's the best I've ever brought to Ascot in all these years, and I've brought some good ones, but this guy is the fastest of the fast." said Ward coming into the King's Stand and you have to take him on his word.

Star Rating: 5 Stars

NB Keep an eye on Aussie trainer Chris Waller's Nature Strip who makes the long journey from Down Under, likewise the Czech wild card Ponntos who bolted up at Paris-Longchamp under Frankie Dettori in May.

Queen Mary Stakes - Wednesday, June 15

Love Reigns

The two-year-old US Navy Flag filly couldn't have been more impressive on debut at Keeneland, absolutely demolishing the field, making all the running and pulling five lengths clear a furlong out for a near 10 lengths victory overall.

The time of 1:02.33 was the fastest by a two-year-old at Keeneland since juvenile turf races at five and a half furlongs started in 2018.

Trainer Wesley Ward is said to be very keen on the filly and commented "She has had three or four pieces of work since then (Keeneland) and all of them have been nice and steady and beautiful breezes. Every horse that kind of engaged her, she just exploded away from them."

Star Rating: 5 Stars

Prince of Wales's Stakes - Wednesday, June 15

Shahryar

The Japanese have been making huge strides in breeding and training and powerhouse Shahryar can give home favourite Bay Bridge plenty to think about.
By top Japanese sire Deep Impact, Shahryar caused a stir when beating Charlie Appleby's favourite Yibir in the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic last time out.

John Gosden summed it up in the build up to Ascot when saying how much respect he has for the "hard athletes" from Japan and Hideaki Fujiwara's Shahryar could quietly run away with this one .

Star Rating: 5 Stars

Coronation Stakes - Friday, June 17

Mangoustine

Named after the tropical fruit, this French filly from Mikel Delzangles could be underrated due to plying her trade over the Channel.
Yet she beat 1000 Guineas winner Cachet in the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches at Longchamp, keeping on well to see off George Boughey's much heralded charge.
Cachet is far more fancied in the betting but punters could be better served taking a bite of the talented and consistent Mangoustine.

Star Rating: 4 Stars

Platinum Jubilee Stakes - Saturday, June 18

Home Affairs

It's unlikely that Aussie handler Chris Waller will return to the Southern Hemisphere empty handed and Home Affairs offers a great chance of Royal Ascot glory.
The Coolmore colt has a bright future at stud and some Ascot black type will do wonders for the breeding value of the three-year-old.
Stablemate Nature Strip has been heavily hyped Down Under but Home Affairs had his number in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington in February.

Star Rating: 5 Stars

Make sure to also consider Wesley Ward's rapid Campanelle and the Japanese entry Grenadier Guards, the latter who may offer tremendous value.

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