Matchbook Ambassador Hugo Palmer gives the lowdown on his runners for the weekend.

I am really looking forward to running Collide in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot today.

I was impressed by Jubiloso at Newbury, but it cannot be stressed enough that the race she won was just a run-of-the-mill novice, and the runner-up, the only solid one against her there, has been well beaten in a handicap off 86 recently. She ought to be running in the Sandringham Handicap off a mark of 101, rather than this Group 1.

Much is made of how stiff the finish is at Ascot, but while that allows horses to come from behind on the straight track, the round course is very different; most winners are well positioned at the entrance to the straight, and it’s doubtful whether Fleeting will be in the right spot despite a perfectly good draw.

Pretty Baby may stay a mile in time, but there is a world of difference between a seven-furlong performer who stays that trip well, and a miler, and the straight track at Ascot in a big field with rain around is not the scenario in which to test your stamina.

The issue with Too Darn Hot is not that he’s yet to hit form, but that he’s running to last year’s form while others, notably the Irish 2000 Guineas winner, have bridged the gap and are going forward, while he is standing still.

Adam Chernoff is again not hanging around this week as he seeks out the early value for Matchday 2 at the Copa America.

Matchbook Ambassador Hugo Palmer has plenty of live chances at Royal Ascot next week. He gives Matchbook Insights readers the lowdown here.

Ollie Noonan has three back to lay selections for the big one at Pebble Beach this week

Matchbook Ambassador Hugo Palmer gives Matchbook Insights readers the exclusive lowdown on his runners across the land today!