Friday 21st June 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (@jordan_yates_)
2.30: Albany Stakes: We get things underway on Friday with the Group 3 Albany Stakes for the fillies over six furlongs. This can go to Fairy Godmother for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. She progressed from her racecourse debut where she finished second to win a Group 3 at Navan in May by a neck. There likely is a lot more to come from her and if she continues to progress she should prove very tough to beat here for her powerhouse connections who have already been on the scoresheet this week. Fairy Godmother – 13/8 (Win)
3.05: Commonwealth Cup: It’s Group 1 action up next as the Commonwealth Cup takes centre-stage over six furlongs. I’m going to chance Elite Status here for Karl Burke and Clifford Lee. He was a well-thought-of horse last term, finishing third in the Norfolk Stakes before winning a French Group 3. He found Group 1 level too hot at the back end of last term, however, returned to the track with an impressive win in Listed company at Newbury when getting the better of Relief Rally by two and three-quarters of a length. He could be up for the Group 1 challenge now he’s a year older, and if coming on for his last outing I think he can have a big say here. Elite Status – 4/1 (Win)
3.45: Coronation Stakes: The third race of the afternoon on day four of the meeting is the Coronation Stakes which is more Group 1 action, this time for the fillies over a mile. I’m strong on the chances of Opera Singer here who’s another one for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. She won the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac on her final start of last season on Arc Day at Longchamp and returned to the track this term with a fine fourth-placed effort in the Irish 1000 Guineas. She sets the standard here at the top of the betting and if she’s anywhere near her best she’s the one they have to beat. Opera Singer – 7/4 (Win) (NAP)
4.25: Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes: We move into handicap company at 4.25 with the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes which is a Class 2 handicap over a mile and four furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Deakin here for Joseph O’Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle. He was highly progressive at the back end of last term, winning a handicap at Thurles by six and a half lengths and he returned this campaign with a fine neck second in a competitive handicap at the Curragh in May. He was beaten by Crystal Black that day who he’ll reoppose here, but I think he could reverse that form off slightly better weights in this contest, and he may not have finished improving. Deakin – 7/1 (Each-Way) (6 places Sky Bet & Paddy Power)
5.05: Sandringham Stakes: Next up it’s the 5.05 which is the Sandringham Stakes which is a Class 2 Fillies’ Handicap over a mile. I’ve sided with another Ballydoyle contender here and that’s Everlasting for the all-conquering combination of Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. She’s a very smart filly and she’s proved that this term finishing a length third to Guineas winner Ezeliya in a Group 3 at Navan back in April and also winning a Listed race at that track last time out earlier this month. She could well prove a cut above this level and I also think a sounder surface might suit her here. Everlasting – 17/2 (Each-Way) (8 places Sky Bet)
5.40: King Edward VII Stakes: My final selection of the day will come in the 5.40, as I don’t fancy anything in the 6.05, and this is the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes over a mile and four furlongs. I think Diego Velazquez could well be worth a go at this distance and this is another raider for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. He was a Group 2 winner last season and hasn’t run badly in two Group 1s this term, finishing fourth and a length behind the winner at Longchamp back in May before not being totally disgraced when finishing eighth in the French Derby last time out. This is an ease in grade and the race doesn’t look too strong, he could have too much class. Diego Velazquez – 5/1 (Win) (NB)
