Pied Piper to call the tune at Royal Ascot

Pied Piper has been a fantastic dual purpose horse for connections and has raced at the highest level over hurdles and is currently rated 156 in that sphere. However he is no back number on the flat and was last seen on turf finishing really well to grab 2nd in the Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket last October. He has only had two runs over hurdles since and arrives here fresh and ready to go. Pied Piper has plenty of experience in the hustle and bustle of big field handicaps and at big festival meetings, so the occasion really shouldn't get to him. He might need some luck in running drawn in stall 2 for what looks likely to be hold-up tactics. However he might have the class to be too good for his rivals today. Pied Piper rates a 4 star each way Pick.

Astro King is a shining example of the talents of his current stable who have improved him to land the Cambridgeshire Handicap at Newmarket last season as well as some other huge runs in big quality handicaps. However Astro King proved when 2nd at Newmarket this year that he is up to pattern class when a good 2nd in the Group 3 Earl Of Sefton Stakes. It's best to ignore his last run over 1m4f, where they went a stop-start gallop and he could never land a blow from off the pace. Now back to 1m2f and perhaps the key to him, back on good to firm ground, he looks set to run a big race. Stall 12 is not ideal, however he is a horse that often races from off the pace so should be able to get some cover. Astro King rates a 4 star each way Pick.