If Friday is half as exciting as Thursday was, we are in for a real treat. The Albany opens events where Daahyeh looks like the one to beat. She was an impressive winner at Newmarket on debut where she beat Queen Mary winner Raffle Prize easily.
Wesley Ward is still awaiting success this week but Nayibeth was a nice winner on debut at Keenland but most of Ward’s winner have come over shorter and I’d be willing to take her on.
It’s not often you see an Aidan O’Brien trained two-year-old with Ryan Moore on-board at double figures odds at Royal Ascot but that’s the case with Precious Moments. The daughter of Gleneagles should improve significantly from her debut and should run a huge race.
Selection: Precious Moments – E/W
The King Edward VII Stakes looks like a three horse race with Japan will be difficult to beat if he reproduces his Derby third. This trip should bring the best out of him. The main resistance is likely to come from Private Secretary who represents the all-conquering Frankie Dettori. He needs to step up on his most recent listed victory but he’s on an upward curve and can follow Japan home.
The final runner of note is Pondus who was very impressive most recently. That victory only came in a modest novice event and although he’s a nice type, I think he’ll struggle here.
Selection: Japan
One of the most recent additions to the Royal meeting is the Commonwealth Cup and the standout runner is Ten Sovereigns. Aidan O’Brien’s three-year-old won the Middle Park on his final start last season and began the current campaign with a fine fifth in the 2000 Guineas. The drop back in trip should suit him and he should be winning this.
Jash finished runner-up in the aforementioned Middle Park Stakes and won well over seven on seasonal debut. He doesn’t have much to find with the favourite but may come up just short again.
Forever In Dreams finished seventh in last season’s Queen Mary and then moved to Ireland to join to the Aidan Fogarty yard. She won a listed race at Haydock most recently and new connections went to £430,000 to acquire her on Monday and they will be hoping to a quick dividend on their investment.
Selection: Ten Sovereigns
The Coronation Stakes has gone the way of two very classy fillies’ in the shape of Winter and Alpha Centauri. Only nine go to post but it looks like we could have another class act with the dual Guineas heroine Hermosa. She’s taken her form to a new level this season and should be difficult to contain.
The very well-bred Jubiloso has looked very good on both career starts thus far and although this represents a huge step up in class she could just be anything.
Castle Lady has won on all three career starts including a narrow success in the French 1000 Guineas most recently. That victory came on heavy going and she must enter calculations.
The very likeable Pretty Pollyanna won the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville last season and began the current campaign with a fine runner-up finish in the 1000 Guineas behind Hermosa. She needs to improve again to reverse the form but that’s quite plausible.
Selection: Castle Lady – E/W
Jamie Spencer and Ed Walker teamed up to land a big gamble in the Sandringham Handicap last year and the pair reunite with the progressive Hotsy Totsy now. The daughter of Casamento has looked very good on her most recent starts and should take all the beating.
There would be a huge roar if Magnetic Charm could give the Queen a royal winner. She was a good winner of a listed winner at York on seasonal debut and although she needs to improve to feature, this half-sister to Usherette can possibly get her head in front here.
Harry Bentley rode his first Royal Ascot winner yesterday and looks to have a live chance of doubling his tally with Desirous. She is a real improver and is a threat to all concerned.
It took Coral Beach eleven attempts to get his head in front and has contested Group 1’s on her two most recent starts. A mark of 101 looks fair and she could be the proverbial group horse in a handicap.
Selection: Hotsy Totsy
Four-year-olds have won have taken five of the last seven renewals of the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes and it looks like it could go the way of another one here with Baghdad. Mark Johnston has enlisted the services of Ryan Moore as Baghdad bids for back to back victories at the Royal meeting.
Johnny Drama won a handicap at Roscommon when last seen which is hardly the usual path to Royal Ascot glory but he looks like a nice type and could go close.
Corgi was only a neck behind Baghdad at last season’s Royal meeting and ran a fine race on the back of a gelding operation/wind surgery at York on seasonal debut. He runs off only a pound higher now but may come up short again.
Selection: Baghdad
