ROYAL ASCOT DAY 4 PREVIEW
Author: Jordan Yates
Image: Jordan Yates
Graphics: Logopit Plus
Albany Stakes (Group 3)
The Albany Stakes is the opener on Day 4 of Royal Ascot a Group 3 over six furlongs another extremely competitive affair which has attracted another big field. I’ve taken a chance on a couple with the first of these coming in the form of Wesley Ward’s NAYIBETH who’s the mount of Joel Rosario. She’s been fairly weak in the market over the last few hours and her draw is a concern, however with the ground drying out and going off the impression she made on debut I still think she has the capability of running a big race here for her trainer who has done so well in these races throughout the years.
My other selection in the race is Mark Johnston’s JM JACKSON who’s drawn on the opposite side however comes into the race a maiden still. She did however run a solid race in the National Stakes the last day and was behind Ventura Rebel on debut, if stepping up again I think she can go well here under Silvestre De Sousa.
Obvious dangers look to be Roger Varian’s Daahyeh who’s come in for a lot of support and also Simon Crisford’s Last Surprise who is the mount of Frankie Dettori.
EACH WAY: NAYIBETH (13/2)
EACH WAY: JM JACKSON (12/1)
King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2)
The second race on the card is the King Edward VII Stakes which is a Group 2 affair over just shy of a mile and four furlong and I think this race will be more than likely won by Japan for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. They’ve always thought a lot of this horse at home and despite being poor in the Dante when well backed, he bounced back to be a strong finishing third in the Derby.
I’ve tried to take him on though and I’ve done this with a horse I’ve become a big fan of this term and that’s PRIVATE SECRETARY for Gosden & Dettori. I’ve actually backed him each way at 9/2 which isn’t something I normally do at that kind of price, however I think it would be somewhat a surprise should he not make the frame. I was impressed with his win in the Listed race at Goodwood last time when he won cosily under Frankie and I think there’s a lot more to come from him now he’s up in grade. He’ll have to step up markedly if he is to get the better of the Ballydoyle hotpot however I think he’s up to running a big race.
EACH WAY: PRIVATE SECRETARY (9/2)
Commonwealth Cup (Group 1)
The first of the Group 1’s comes at 3.40 and that’s the six furlong Commonwealth Cup of which I think Aidan O’Brien holds the key to with TEN SOVEREIGNS who’s the mount of Ryan Moore. He was last seen when finishing fifth in the Guineas but was unbeaten before that and is expected to make a return to form now back over this sprinting trip. I’ve also backed another horse as an each way alternative to the market leader and that comes in the form of KHAADEM for Charlie Hills. He’s won his last three starts and has only been beaten once and that was on debut by Calyx. His last victory came within listed company at Newbury and it’s likely he’s got a lot more to offer for a yard that do so well with these types.
Jash looks to be one of the obvious big players here, he was only beaten a short way by Ten Sovereigns when they met last year and he’s also the choice of Jim Crowley. Others to note look to be Advertise who’s the mount of Frankie Dettori and also Hello Youmzain who got the better of Calyx on his last outing.
WIN: TEN SOVEREIGNS (6/4)
EACH WAY: KHAADEM (15/2)
Coronation Stakes (Group 1)
The second Group 1 of the afternoon comes in the form of the Coronation Stakes and I think this is another race which Aidan O’Brien holds the answers to and I believe he will claim the prize here with his dual Guineas winner HERMOSA. As stated she arrives here off the back of wins in both UK & Irish Guineas and I think she’s going to be one of the stars of the season this year on the level. She’s versatile ground wise and shouldn’t have any issues with the trip and should prove extremely hard to beat here under Ryan Moore.
Unbeaten Shamardal filly Jubiloso looks the best of the rest here for Sir Michael Stoute who’s the mount of talented Australian rider James McDonald and also unbeaten French filly Castle Lady who is also by Shamardal looks to be a key player. Both of these are open to more progression and look the likely candidates to serve it up to the market leader.
WIN: HERMOSA (10/11)
Sandringham Stakes (Class 2) (Handicap)
The penultimate race on the card is the Sandringham which is another big field handicap of which I haven’t got a massive opinion on if truth be told. I have however took a chance on one at a decent enough price and that’s NONCHALANCE for John Gosden and Robert Havlin. She’s a filly by Dubawi who’s won her last couple of starts at Newmarket and Haydock in taking style and looks as though she could be on a decent enough mark here now sent handicapping. This is a tough race to start off however but if turning up in the form she’s been in as of late she could well feature.
EACH WAY: NONCHALANCE (9/1)
Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (Class 2) (Handicap)
Concluding the Day 4 card is the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes which just like the previous race is a big field handicap. The one I’ve taken a chance on in this particular affair is FUJAIRA PRINCE for Roger Varian and Andrea Atzeni, I was there at York the last day and actually backed him when he finished second in a similar contest to this. He arrives here looking a lot more unexposed than a lot of these in the line up and despite this one again being a tough assignment he could prove to be a lot better than this level in time.
EACH WAY: FUJAIRA PRINCE (6/1)
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