2.30 – Albany Stakes – Group 3 (2-y-o Fillies) 6f
JUST WONDERFUL could be exactly that after making a striking debut over in Ireland a month ago. Trainer Aidan O’Brien was surprised as the filly had only just been put into serious work and was expected to come on from her debut experience. Assuming she does, she could be hard to beat here and may get favourite backers off to a good start. Mark Johnston’s Main Edition could be a danger as this unbeaten filly has physical scope; and La Pelosa looked worth her 280,000gns breeze-up tag when winning at Kempton on the Polytrack in May.
3.05 – King Edward VII Stakes – Group 2 (Colts and Geldings) 1m 4f
Aidan O’Brien has a poor record in this race but stats are not worth as much as many seem to think. The past two winners of this came from The Epsom Derby and DELANO ROOSEVELT, who was 6th at Epsom, looks the best horse in the race on form. By Galileo out of a Danehill Dancer mare, he ought to stay this distance and he probably got too far back at Epsom. Ryan Moore has chosen this colt over stablemate Rostroprovich, who still rates the most likely danger. Elector is less experienced and would have to improve but could run into a place in the colours of Her Majesty.
3.40 – Commonwealth Cup – Group 1 (3-y-o) 6f
Equilateral is very highly regarded and he is tempting but his yard have been in dreadful form just lately and stall 2 doesn’t look ideal. He is still afforded great respect but INVINCIBLE ARMY and Sioux Nation could be the pair to concentrate on from higher stalls. The former was very pleasing in the Sandy Lane at Haydock last time and James Tate looks to have a proper sprinter on his hands. Sioux Nation is a Scat Daddy colt under the care of that man Aidan O’Brien. Ryan Moore rides and the partnership certainly looks to have leading claims.
4.20 – Coronation Stakes – Group 1 (3-y-o Fillies) 1 mile
Jessie Harrington has been out of luck this week but hopefully ALPHA CENTAURI can get her name on the Ascot role of honour. After a bright start to her juvenile career with two wins, this home-bred filly all but won the Albany Stakes here and her defeat at The Curragh afterwards can be forgiven. A poor comeback run in April didn’t advertise her chances in the Irish 1,000 Guineas but following a short break, she ran away with the it. That was her first run at a mile and I would hope there is more to come. English Guineas winner Billesdon Bess rates the danger in what is a very warm affair.
5.00 – Sandringham Handicap – (3-y-o Fillies) 1 mile
Despite its competitive nature, this has tended to go to a better fancied filly and a trio are interesting; none more so than AGROTERA. Home bred by the owner of yesterday’s Gold Cup hero, Stradivarius, this daughter of Mastercraftsman has stamina in her pedigree and is a winner over this distance already (no horse has won this stepping up to a mile for the first time for many years). Whilst the Windsor maiden she took in May lacked a little strength in depth, she left Four White Socks behind in the final stages to win cosily. I was at Goodwood to see ‘socks’ win by 3-lengths at Goodwood next time and the form looks solid.
Ceilidhs Dream may be lacking an apostrophe but she isn’t lacking promise. After taking an early-season maiden at Newmarket; she was sent to York for the Group 3 Musidora a month later and ran well, without looking to appreciate the 10 ½ furlong trip. Drops back down to 8f and could have been treated leniently stepping into handicap company. Drawn high in 22 which could be an advantage based on the evidence this week.
A half-sister to 6-winners, all decent, the Frankel filly Qazyna is another likely type off just 3-runs so far. She is another who failed to see out the 10th furlong last time and she looks a nice type physically. Trainer Roger Varian seems reasonably bullish in the press and if her low draw does not prove to be a disadvantage, she should be thereabouts.
For those who can’t resist an outsider, Why We Dream could feasibly run well off her low weight. A maiden coming into this, her form is on softer ground but she looks an improver and should win a race or two somewhere this season.
5.35 – Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap) – (3-y-o+) 1m 4f
A wide draw has been pretty much essential over this course and distance at this meeting in recent years and last year, the three widest drawn runners finished first, second and fourth. EYNHALLOW takes the eye from stall 16. A progressive stayer throughout his 3-y-o season for Roger Charlton, he was purchased by Godolphin and ran two excellent races over in Dubai during February. Nothing in hand of his handicap mark so needs to progress again but I suspect that he can and this large field should help him to settle, as he can be a bit keen.
The grey Thundering Blue is drawn even better in 20 and has strong prospects of bagging another win. Victorious in 4 of his last 6-races, this likeable 5-y-o found 9 lb of improvement on his latest start and is likely to prove better than a handicapper. That was on fast ground where previously it was thought he might prefer a bit of cut so conditions shouldn’t faze him. Frankie knows his way around here of course and is a positive booking.
Manjaam is another who set a new personal best last time and probably won a shade cosily up at York. A 4 lb rise looks fair and from stall 21, he looks a leading contender once again. Likely to be held up off what should be a strong pace and he has winning form at Ascot. Dash Of Spice burst a blood vessel last time at Epsom after winning and assuming that was just a blip, he can go well again. The Irish-trained filly Clear Skies also warrants a mention. Although she appears to be on an impossible mark handicap-wise, she won 5-races in quick succession on the all-weather during the winter months and this may suit better than the small-field listed races she has been contesting on turf since.
Written by Billy Blakeman
Twitter – @five2tenracing #BillysBigOnes
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