King’s Stand Stakes Runners Guide 2023 – Can Highfield Princess Add Royal Ascot Win to Her CV?

A field of 19 King’s Stand Stakes runners go in the 5f Group 1 sprint contest that is one of the highlights on the opening day of Royal Ascot. Remarkable mare Highfield Princess was an unlikely star but has developed into a popular sprinter for a northern stable and looks the one they all have to beat on Tuesday, 20 June.

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Highfield Princess Looks Sure to Go Off Favourite from King’s Stand Stakes Runners

John Quinn’s Highfield Princess went from running in run of the mill handicaps to the highest level last season. Her meteoric rise through the ranks is one the feel-good stories in the sport of horse racing during recent times. Far from just the sentimental favourite, both punters and bookies alike feel she can add glory at the Royal meeting to multiple Group 1 successes in 2022.

Everything does need to go right in sprint contests like this, however, and there are plenty of other King’s Stands Stakes runners ready to capitalise on any slip up from Highfield Princess. Opposition includes Australian speedster Coolangatta, one of three international horses in the line-up. The other globetrotting sprinters are Cannonball, who has also made the long trip from Down Under, and American entry Twilight Gleaming.

The home team is strong of course with Karl Burke filly Dramatised and the mount of Frankie Dettori in Manaccan both coming in for support in the betting. As the former benefits from the maximum weight for age and sex allowances given in the race, that may explain the plunge. As of the time of writing though, the clear favourite is Highfield Princess but here’s a little more about every horse taking to the track over the flying 5f…

RELATED: Check out the top horse racing betting bookmakers in the UK right now.

Complete King’s Stand Stakes Runners Guide 2023

1. Annaf

Looked progressive on All-Weather winter form, but taken backwards steps with every run since switching back to turf in the spring. Beaten just 1 1/2 lengths in fifth by Manaccan in Rous Stakes over course and distance on only previous Ascot outing. Perhaps overpriced on Duke Of York fourth behind Highfield Princess.

2. Cannonball

One of two King’s Stands Stakes runners from Australia in this renewal. Group 3 handicap winner Down Under under debut for current stable. Looked outpaced late on in third in the Galaxy on his final start before the long trip to the UK.

3. Chipstead

Yard won this in 2021 with Oxted and this inmate of the same stable still an entire horse. Versatile as regards ground and won York handicap latest. First past the post in last season’s Portland Handicap over an extended 5f at Doncaster, so should stay when others have shot their bolt. Has something to find with market principals on ratings.

4. Equilateral

Perhaps drawn on wrong side of Haydock home straight when again runner-up in the Achilles Stakes latest. Behind Dramatised there in Group 3 company before that. Long losing run and exposed.

5. Existent

Hasn’t reproduced neck second in last season’s Palace House Stakes in plenty of Group sprints since. Never dangerous 11th in this 12 months ago. Pedigree suggests he wants further than the minimum trip. Can be discounted.

6. Manaccan

Shergah Cup Dash and Rous Stakes winner over course and distance last year, but only fifth in Palace Of Holyrood House at this meeting 12 months ago. Significant jockey booking and drawn on the wrong side when third in the Palace House on reappearance. May still have more to offer.

7. Mitbaahy

Behind Existent when fifth in the Temple Stakes last time out. Dual good ground winner in 2022, but will need to come on for that Haydock reappearance. Other King’s Stand Stakes runners appeal more.

8. Raasel

Inconsistent since besting Mitbaahy at Sandown and had to know what to expect from him based on last two runs at Haydock. Well held on York and Curragh form by Highfield Princess. Certainly can be opposed.

9. Twilight Calls

Best of the rest behind Nature Strip in this 12 months ago. If turning up in that same form, then one of the King’s Stand Stakes runners to fear at a price. Two ninth-place finishes this season don’t inspire confidence though.

10. Coolangatta

Australia’s leading hope this year of emulating Nature Strip and others. Won the right races Down Under and likes good ground. Obvious claims if able to reproduce domestic form in the UK.

11. Happy Romance

No better than seventh in three tips over 6f here in the past, but fifth in the 2020 Queen Mary over course and distance. Capable of a bold show on the pick of her form. Not the most consistent of mares.

11. Highfield Princess

Incredible improvement as a sprinter last year from 2021 Buckingham Palace Stakes winner. Left form of two sixths over 6f here well behind with Group 1 hat-trick in the Maurice de Gheest, Nunthorpe and Flying Five. All King’s Stand Stakes runners have to beat this remarkably versatile mare if they’re to taste glory in this.

12. Mooneista

Keeping on fourth in this race 12 months ago when trained by Jack Davison. Good record at the Curragh and no forlorn hope if building on stable debut for current yard in Listed company at Naas.

13. Twilight Gleaming

American raider who was second in the 2021 Queen Mary over course and distance. Lightly-raced since transatlantic juvenile campaign and open to further progress. Trainer targets Royal Ascot, so can go well at a price.

14. Vadream

Needs rain to have any chance of reproducing two turf wins this season in Listed company at Doncaster and the Palace House. Decent Ascot record as a three-year-old tarnished somewhat last term but a capable mare in the right conditions.

16. Bradsell

The only one among King’s Stand Stakes runners to be supplemented for the race at a cost of £35,000. Only a top three finish will make that pay and betting suggests it could’ve been foolish.  Coventry Stakes winner from last year and Commonwealth Cup Trial third on reappearance dropping down to the minimum trip for the first time.

17. Desert Cop

Disappointing seventh in the Commonwealth Cup Trial, but better when runner-up in Carnarvon Stakes at Newbury latest. All-Weather Sprint Championships winner is a maiden on turf.

18. Marshman

Duke Of York fifth in-between Chantilly Group 3 win and Group 2 third this season. Has nasty habit of being a beaten favourite. Lack of finishing effort on good ground in France the last day may be cause for concern.

19. Dramatised

Last year’s Queen Mary heroine over course and distance returned with length success in the Temple Stakes against her elders. Length second in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in-between those efforts. Still unexposed and improving. Race terms favour this three-year-old filly more than other King’s Stand Stakes runners, so she’s definitely on the shortlist.

What Date & Time Is The 2023 King’s Stand Stakes?

📅Time/Date: 3:40pm (Tuesday 20th June 2023)
🏇Racecourse: Ascot
💰 Winner: £355,855.25
📺 TV: Sky Sports Racing / ITV
🎲 Odds: Highfield Princess 5/2 | Coolangatta 9/2 | Manaccan 11/2 | Dramatised 15/2 | Bar 16/1

Recent Queen Anne Stakes Winners

• 2022 – Nature Strip (9/4)
• 2021 – Oxted (4/1)
• 2020 – Battaash (5/6 fav)
• 2019 – Blue Point (5/2)
• 2018 – Blue Point (6/1)
• 2017 – Lady Aurelia (7/2)
• 2016 – Profitable (4/1)
• 2015 – Goldream (20/1)
• 2014 – Sole Power (5/1)

WATCH: Dramatised Win at Royal Ascot Last Year

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