Day three talking points…
1. Frankie strikes Gold: “That was a truly historic day. Where to start? Frankie Dettori wins the Gold Cup again – I think if he’d just won the Queen’s Vase everyone would have shaken hands and been alright with it – but to go and win the historic centrepiece of Royal Ascot, was stunning.”
2. A Royal success: “It cannot be underestimated how monumental it is that we had that royal winner. The pictures of the King and Queen taking in the victory were really striking and it could well be that Desert Hero is a hero for British racing and really hooks the King into the whole game.”
3. Outsiders to the fore: “It just sums up Royal Ascot this year that we had a 150-1 winner to start the day and a 50-1 winner to end the day.”
COMMONWEALTH CUP
Friday 23rd June, 3:05pm
Little Big Bear @ 10/11
Sakheer @ 11/2
Lezoo @ 15/2
Shaquille @ 8/1
Noble Style @ 12/1
Ocean Quest @ 16/1
view odds
*prices correct at time of writing.
What we say…
This is a quality three year old field, with many of last season’s top juveniles lining up. Little Big Bear is the well-fancied favourite, however a win at Haydock from a preferable draw did not totally silence the doubters.
What Cornelius says…
“Throughout the 35 races Royal Ascot there aren’t usually many bankers, especially this year there have been a few surprises. Despite his obvious talent, Little Big Bear is short for a horse about which there are question marks, not least the opposition on this occasion.”
“You’ve got Sakheer which is very highly rated going back in distance which should suit and Lezoo is a horse that Ralph Beckett has long held in high regard after finishing eighth in the Guineas. Shaquille is another horse to throw into the mix.”
In the spotlight…
“I would be opposing Little Big Bear with Sakheer because I know his reputation. He was not beaten all that far from a not very good draw at the 2000 Guineas and there is lots to like about him against the favourite at the odds which he is.”
CORONATION STAKES
Friday 23rd June, 4:20pm
Tahiyra @ 8/11
Meditate @ 7/2
Queen For You @ 13/2
Mammas Girl @ 9/1
Sounds Of Heaven @ 9/1
Comhra @ 11/1
view odds
*prices correct at time of writing.
What we say…
Tahiyra is well-fancied here after the withdrawal of 2,000 Guineas heroine Mawj. There is plenty of talent in the rest of the field. After the Gosdens’ success earlier in the week, they’ll be hoping that Queen For You will be able to emulate her dam, Fallen For You, who won this race back in 2012. While Meditate could make it back to back Royal Ascot successes.
What Cornelius says…
“This race has clearly had its guts pulled out of it by the withdrawal of Mawj as he isn’t fit to take part. Tahiyra has to be the standout horse. She’s odds on favourite for a reason, and with the defection of Mawj, the door has been left open wide open for her.”
“However, one to consider at a big price, considering the form of team Ralph Beckett, is Remarquee. I thought it was a very nice performance to win the Fred Darling at Newbury. Queen For You is another one who is in the mix. The Gosdens are having a fantastic week and the horse which finished 2nd at York, has plenty of ability.”
In the spotlight…
“There is a chance Tahiyra will be one of the outstanding fillies of the 2020’s. Although she didn’t win at Newmarket, she’s got that star quality. I would be surprised if Meditate turned the tables here.”
KING EDWARD VII STAKES
Friday 23rd June, 5:35pm
King Of Steel @ 10/11
Arrest @ 11/2
Artistic Star @ 15/2
Continuous @ 8/1
Dubai Mile @ 12/1
Relentless Voyager @ 16/1
view odds
*prices correct at time of writing.
What we say…
Derby second King Of Steel is hot favourite to give Ammo Racing a second Royal Ascot winner. Meanwhile, a winner for either Ryan Moore or Frankie Dettori would make them the outright most successful rider in this race.
What Cornelius says…
“Coming out of Epsom, you have Dubai Mile, Arrest and King of Steel. I think King of Steel will win. Clearly, he was one of two outstanding horses in the Derby at Epsom. People have been sceptical about the ride that Kevin Stott gave him, but I don’t think anyone was beating Auguste Rodin that day.”
“I don’t think Dubai Mile will surprise anyone here. This is a good horse, who ran well in the Derby but finished ninth. Once you take out the front two, the rest were all in close quarters and not disgraced at all. I suspect Dubai Mile is not quite good enough. Arrest is more interesting as I don’t think the track at Epsom quite suited him, and Ascot could suit better.”
In the spotlight…
“When two horses draw clear like that in the Derby, they are two exceptionally good horses. It is quite a different racecourse here, but if anything, I think King of Steel might prefer Ascot. That was only his third run in the Derby, and it was an outstanding run. We all like to see the derby form boosted as well. I don’t really see why some of those others who were behind would be in front.”
What to look out for…
1. The draw has proven important in the last King Edward’s VII Stakes as horses from stalls 1-3 have won all of the last four contests. Arrest lines up from stall one.
2. The Duke of Edinburgh has proved one of the few races at Royal Ascot where the market faith has been justified, with five of the last nine winners starting favourites.
The verdict:
“It would be surprising if Tahirya is turned over. It would be a little bit less of a surprise if Little Big Bear is turned over. Some of these other races are highly competitive, as they should be at Royal Ascot.”
“In the Commonwealth Cup, don’t rule out Shaquille because his trainer (Julie Camacho) is not as high profile as other trainers. Shaquille has earned his place in the field by winning races at Newmarket and Newbury and if he took another big leap forward here, you wouldn’t fall over in amazement.”
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