Katie Midwinter (19/06/24)
2:30pm – Albany Stakes (Group 3)
This daughter of Kodiac, Cradle Of Love, isn’t the most straightforward filly, but she did show promise on her most recent start when second to a potentially special filly in €300,000 yearling purchase American Bar.
That was her first start on good ground and, although she hung left in the closing stages when sporting first-time cheekpieces, she showed some acceleration and appears overlooked at a big price in this open contest.
A €170,000 yearling purchase, there could be plenty more to come from this improving filly, with the addition of first-time blinkers and the drop back in trip both factors that could allow her to show further progression.
Selection: Cradle Of Love 150/1 (each-way)
3:05pm – Commonwealth Cup (Group 1)
Inisherin was an impressive winner of the Group Two Sandy Lane Stakes last month at Haydock, but his main rival, Vandeek, disappointed, and the form of the race, in soft conditions, is questionable in that regard.
Whilst Inisherin is still lightly-raced and largely unexposed at this level, over this trip, he has to prove himself over 6f on quick ground, and his pedigree suggests an emphasis on stamina rather than speed.
Although he showed plenty of speed at Haydock, a fast 6f on quick ground is a completely different challenge, and he appears short enough at 5/2, with plenty of value represented elsewhere.
His fellow Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum-owned rival, Elite Status, represents an in-form Karl Burke yard, and made an impressive return in the Carnarvon Stakes at Newbury when last seen. He was less than impressive in his last two runs as a juvenile however, and others have more compelling form.
Starlust, in first-time blinkers for Ralph Beckett, and Givemethebeatboys, for Jessica Harrington, both hold strong each-way claims and are available at huge prices considering the level of form they’ve shown in the past.
The former, Starlust, placed in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf over a sharp 5f at Santa Anita last term, following a Group Three win at Kempton. He returned to winning ways when well-backed at York in handicap company last month, but is more than capable of performing at this level, with conditions to suit.
Irish-raider Givemethebeatboys performed consistently well as a juvenile, finishing among the first four in each of his five runs that included two victories and a fourth-placed finish in the Coventry Stakes. He was withdrawn on veterinary advice at the Breeders’ Cup, but may well have gone close had he been able to take his chance.
On his seasonal reappearance at Navan, he made a winning return before finishing second to 120-rated Bucanero Fuerte in a Naas Group Three. He has plenty of ability and the best may be yet to come from this sprinter, who cost £1.1million at the Goffs London Sale ahead of his appearance at the Royal Meeting last year.
Selection(s): Givemethebeatboys 16/1 & Starlust 10/1 (both each-way)
3:45pm – Coronation Stakes (Group 1)
It’s difficult to split the 1000 Guineas 1-2-3 in Elmalka, Porta Fortuna and Ramatuelle, but a filly that could have the beating of the trio is Aidan O’Brien-trained Opera Singer.
The daughter of Justify blew her opposition away to land the Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp, before finishing third in the Irish 1000 Guineas, on ground softer than ideal, on reappearance. She’s entitled to improve plenty for her opening run of the season, and with her three closest market rivals appearing too difficult to split, it may be worth sticking with the favourite.
Selection: Opera Singer 7/4
4:25pm – Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap)
Marhaba The Champ could hold each-way claims if on a going day for Kevin Ryan, but will need to bounce back from a disappointing effort on reappearance at York. He was an impressive winner over reopposing Bague d’Or in a competitive handicap on the Knavesmire last term, but has put in two below par performances since.
His inconsistency is factored into his price, and he may well fail to fire again, but the ground conditions, as well as the trip, should suit, and he appears too big a price at 25/1 considering the level he’s capable of reaching at his best.
Selection: Marhaba The Champ 66/1 (each-way)
5:05pm – Sandringham Stakes (Fillies’ Handicap)
Mehmas filly Bellarchi was highly tried as a juvenile, featuring in fourteen races, winning three and placing six times. She began this current campaign in good form, recording a Southwell victory between two placed efforts.
A winner over course-and-distance last month, she is on a 4lb higher mark here, with 5lb claimer Brandon Wilkie aboard, and will be suited by the quicker ground conditions. She has been disappointing in her last two runs, but they were both in Listed company, and she will be more comfortable at this level. At a huge price, she holds strong each-way claims on a card that holds plenty of value.
Formidable Harry Angel filly, Fair Angellica, won all of her first three starts before suffering her first defeat at Goodwood on reappearance, beaten a length by progressive colt Mission To Moon. She returned to winning ways in familiar surroundings at Kempton however, and was subsequently given a 10lb rise by the handicapper.
Now on a career-high mark of 94, she possesses scope for further improvement, given her unexposed and progressive profile. It’s unknown whether or not the ground conditions will suit, as she has enjoyed easier ground in the past, but her sire is most effective with his progeny on better ground, which bodes well for her suitability to the firm conditions.
Selection(s): Bellarchi 50/1 & Fair Angellica 20/1 (both each-way)
5:40pm – King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2)
Talented Frankel colt Diego Velazquez, out of Listed-winner Sweepstakes, fetched 2,400,000gns as a yearling. He is a half-brother to his talented and tough stablemates, Broome and Point Lonsdale, and has shown plenty of promise in his career to date, with a Leopardstown Group Two victory to his name, plus a fourth-placed finish in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains.
The ground was softer than ideal for the colt when beaten a length at Longchamp, yet he displayed plenty of speed and showed determination, staying on well in the closing stages. This bodes well for his chances of getting this extra half-a-mile in distance, as his subsequent run in the Prix du Jockey Club left a lot to be desired, but came on unsuited heavy ground.
The good to firm surface at Ascot should allow him to show his speed to great effect, as he has always shaped as a horse who will enjoy a quicker surface. His staying credentials shouldn’t be tested too much on this surface, unless there is a frantic pace, but he has plenty of stablemates in the field who should be able to offer tactical support.
Selection: Diego Velazquez 4/1
All runners/prices are correct at the time of publication.
Photo by Julie Bishop on Unsplash.
THE CONDITIONAL 