2.30 Albany Stakes – Twafeeg EW / Simmering EW
I’m keen to take on Fairy Godmother, as she looks too short. I like two against her. The first one is Twafeeg for Archie Watson. She looked classy when winning at Doncaster, despite running a bit green in the final furlong. I just like the way she kept finding, and I think Hollie Doyle will get a great tune out of her. With Archie Watson’s two-year-olds running well at Royal Ascot, she has to be taken seriously.
Simmering is the other one I like for Ollie Sangster. She was well-backed when finishing third at York, but just got tired late on. The ground was riding on the soft side that day, and I don’t think she liked it. I think she’ll be more effective on a sound surface. Also, it should be noted that the form of that race worked out well, as the winner went on to win a Group 3 in France. I can see her being a danger to the favourite.
3.05 Commonwealth Cup – Inisherin (Win) / Malc EW
I really like the profile of Inisherin, and I don’t think his win at Haydock was a fluke when he won the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes. Until then, most of his form had come over a mile, and he shaped well in the 2,000 Guineas for a long way before fading in the closing stages. His trainer, Kevin Ryan, does very well sprinters, so he knows what he’s doing with this three-year-old colt.
Furthermore, he’s from the family of Triple Time, Cape Byron, and Ostilio, who are all Royal Ascot winners. I think he’s got a fantastic chance of adding to his family’s fantastic CV.
However, there is another horse I have to keep on side and that is Malc for Richard Fahey. He’s a horse who I think could develop into a top-class sprinter. The last time we saw him, he ran in a Listed race behind Elite Status and finished fourth. That form has been boosted as Adaay in Devon came out and won at Sandown last weekend, and you’d have to give Elite Status a chance here. However, that was Malc’s first run of the season and it looked like a prep race for this as he wasn’t given a hard time. The son of Calyx finished second in the Norfolk Stakes last year, so coming to Ascot should be no problem. He’s a horse I don’t want to discount.
3.45 Coronation Stakes – Elmalka (Win) / Skellet (Each Way)
I’m not seeing the hype around Opera Singer, and I think the three-year-old filly division is still wide open. The 1,000 Guineas winner, Elmalka, is certainly on the shortlist for me. She wasn’t suited by the underlations at Newmarket, but she flew home to get the job done, and I think Ascot will suit her a lot better. The ground should be fine, and I think she is dangerous.
There is also another worth considering at a big price, and that is Skellet. She was very promising last season, but I think you can forgive her effort in the Irish 1,000 Guineas. She was hampered at a crucial stage, and I don’t think she liked the ease in the ground that day. This quicker surface will be a lot better, and all her relatives seem to handle quick ground. Her trainer, Ralph Beckett, said she probably would need the run and would progress throughout this season. At a double-figure price, she’s interesting.
4.25 Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes – Ethical Diamond (Win) / Bague d’Or (Each Way)
I think favourite backers might be rewarded here with Ethical Diamond. He didn’t quite take to hurdling, but on the Flat he could be open to any amount of improvement. The last time we saw him he finished second at Leopardstown over 1m2f. That trip will probably be on the short side for him, and this longer trip will help. He’s also got a good wide draw in Stall 18, and Ryan Moore has been booked for the ride. I think he ticks a lot of boxes and is sure to go close, provided he gets a clear run.
The other one on my shortlist is Bague d’Or for James Ferguson. I thought he was impressive when winning on his seasonal return at Newmarket, but he didn’t go unnoticed by the handicapper, who raised him 5lb. Though he’s higher in the weights, I still think he’s on an upward curve, and he’ll like the quick ground. He’s one to keep on side.
5.00 Sandringham Stakes – Cat Ninja EW / Asian Daze EW
I like two at big prices in this. The first one is Cat Ninja for John and Thady Gosden. This filly can be temperamental at times, swishing her tail, but her form is decent. I really liked her win at Windsor, where she really knuckled down to win, and the form was boosted as the second horse went on to bolt up at Newbury next time out. She’s very lightly raced and could be a lot better than her mark of 91.
Elsewhere, Asian Daze is on the list for Johnny Murtagh. She flew home last time out to get second at Navan in a Listed race and was probably a little bit unlucky not to win. I can see the nature of an Ascot handicap really suiting her, as they go hard and fast, and I see her running well. She should not be underestimated.
5.40 King Edward VII Stakes – Voyage EW
I am just going to keep it simple and go for Voyage here. I think this son of Golden Horn has a lot of class, and I was quite keen on his chances to run a big race in the Epsom Derby after his impressive win at Newbury in April. At Epsom, he was unlucky after he stumbled at the start and unseated Pat Dobbs. It’s hard to know how he would have fared, but he was first past the post and enjoyed a spin around Epsom. I know that Richard Hannon holds him in high regard, and this is the time for him to get back on track.
6.15 Palace Of Holyrood House Stakes – Blue Storm EW / Got To Love A Grey EW
There are so many in here you can make a case for, but I like the chances of two. The first one is Blue Storm for Gemma Tutty. He was last seen winning the three-year-old Epsom Dash earlier this month, and he appeared to have plenty in hand. He’ll be suited by the strong pace, and he looks like a sprinter going places. I think he’ll go well for connections with ground in his favour.
The other one I like is Got To Love A Grey for Karl Burke. Fillies have a great record in this race at making the frame, and this horse likes Royal Ascot after running well to finish fifth in the Queen Mary last year. She was last seen running over 6f, but dropping back to the bare minimum 5f should be no problem. I like her chances.
