Day four of Royal Ascot sees three-year-old talent come to the fore with the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup showcasing the best sprinters around before the Group 1 Coronation Stakes shines the spotlight on the fillies over a mile.
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The Albany Stakes
As with every day at the Royal Meeting, this two-year-olds get things underway at 2.30pm – today it’s the six furlong fillies in the Albany Stakes.
Aidan O’Brien has won two of the last four runnings of the race and he has a strong favourite today in Sun Goddess who confirmed her debut promise when bolting up at the Curragh on her second start.
She’s far from the only improver in the field though, with the likes of Silent Beauty, Light Of Dawn and Libertango all looking promising when winning on debut. Their Majesties The King and The Queen have an interesting runner in King’s Prize, successful at Nottingham and now moving into this higher grade.
The Commonwealth Cup
The Commonwealth Cup (3.05pm) is open to three-year-old colts and fillies, over six furlongs. Venetian Sun will be a warm order after her hugely impressive victory in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock – she also won last year’s Albany Stakes so she will definitely handle the track. Aidan O’Brien is triple-handed in the race including last year’s Norfolk Stakes winner Charles Darwin and the well-touted Albert Einstein, whilst Division and Wise Approach have both shown a good level of form to challenge in this company.
The latter was second in the Norfolk last year whilst the former was third in the Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes here in May, behind the re-opposing Coppull and Midnight Tango.
The Duke of Edinburgh Stakes
Last year, the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (3.40pm) over a mile and a half unleashed subsequent Breeders’ Cup winner Ethical Diamond. Whilst it’s unlikely that another top-level performer will emerge from this race, there are plenty on an upward curve.
Warrant Holder, for Their Majesties The King and The Queen, improved to win on his first start of the year and he could easily build on that, with Opportunity and Serengeti two others coming here off the back of a victory. Hopewell Rock might not have won since his two-year-old season but he’s still on a workable mark, as is French Duke who went off second favourite for this last year and won in Meydan in January.
The Coronation Stakes
Today’s feature is the Coronation Stakes at 4.20pm. Aidan O’Brien hasn’t won this race since 2017 with Winter but he certainly corners the market today. True Love, who won the Queen Mary Stakes at the Royal Meeting last year, won the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket before finishing second behind stablemate Precise in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh. On both occasions,
Ryan Moore chose the wrong filly to ride – he will hope to be third time lucky today having chosen Precise today. It’s not a two-horse race, though – Touleen was sixth in the 1,000 Guineas showing promise whilst Balantina was third in the Albany Stakes last year before winning a Grade 1 at the Breeders’ Cup – she could make her presence felt if improving again on her seasonal debut.
The Sandringham Stakes
Next is the Sandringham Stakes (5.00pm), a mile handicap for three-year-old fillies. There are plenty in here with just the three requisite starts – for example, Seet and Glyfada have both won their last two, and must make the shortlist.
Darn Hot Gallop came up short in the 1,000 Guineas but may still improve back in handicap company whilst Symbol Of Majesty and Bintaziza both lost their unbeaten records in handicaps last time out but remain with potential. This is a hugely competitive event, and it would be no surprise to see a shock result, with the last two winners returning at 22/1 and 14/1.
The King Edward VII Stakes
The King Edward VII Stakes (5.35pm), for three-year-old males over a mile and a half, has launched the careers of King Of Steel and Calandagan in recent years – there are two standout candidates in today’s field. Water To Wine has looked hugely impressive in winning two races by a total of 15 lengths and is being slowly brought along, with this Group 2 looking well within his grasp. Causeway, meanwhile, already has the experience of Pattern company with Listed and Group 3 successes last month – this looks the natural next target. Ancient Egypt and Golden Story are both Listed winners and could also take another step in this race.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes
We close with the Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes (6.10pm), a handicap for three-year-old speedsters over the minimum five furlongs. The late Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum’s colours are doubly represented here with the unbeaten Westport and the progressive Dickensian, who will carry top-weight having won a Listed race in May.
There are two American runners in the field – Sandal’s Song was third in the Norfolk Stakes last year and ran well behind Outfielder in the USA last time whilst Bacio showed a good level of form in winning on seasonal debut at Churchill Downs in April.Jazl couldn’t have been more impressive when running away with a Leicester handicap in May and can’t be ruled out despite the hike in the weights.
