Races

Andrew Hawkins’ Royal Ascot Preview: Day 4

Posted on | Posted by Andrew Hawkins

Race 1

Day 4 kicks off with the G3 Albany Stakes for the two-year-old fillies over the straight six furlongs or 1200m. Wide open event this with many hopes and, as we saw with the 150-1 shock win of Valiant Force in the G2 Norfolk Stakes, anything can happen in these juvenile races. With that in mind, worth taking a chance on FLACCIANELLO – and not just because rider Rossa Ryan also rode Valiant Force for the same owners, Amo Racing! She was green as anything at Catterick and looked as though she’d drop out but when she figured out what she was doing, she powered to the lead and she could have won by even further. She is certainly worth a chance at a price. NAVASSA ISLAND was terrific on debut in the G3 Fillies Sprint Stakes at Naas when second to PORTA FORTUNA. She should take plenty of improvement and she’s certainly the one to beat, while her last-start conqueror also has claims. Next best is SOPRANO for Highclere Thoroughbred Racing after a tremendous debut win at Newmarket.

Numbers: 4-10-13-18

Suggested Bet: Flaccianello EACH WAY

Race 2

The G1 Commonwealth Cup for three-year-olds over the six furlongs (1200m) is a fairly new addition to the meeting, having been established in 2015. However, with a slew of top class winners already, it has proven to be a race worth watching in no time at all. It’s hard to go past LITTLE BIG BEAR, whose only disappointing effort came in the G1 2000 Guineas when upped to a mile. He’s won since and, like his Derby-winning stablemate Auguste Rodin, he can once again prove that the Guineas was just an aberration. On ratings, hard to see anything getting that close. If one does, it will be thanks to a change of gear or a leap out of the ground. That could come from NOBLE STYLE with first-time cheekpieces. He was unbeaten as a two-year-old and while he disappointed back to six furlongs last time out, the headgear could prove the making of him. The filly LEZOO should be suited back to the trip where she was a Group 1 winner last year, while SAKHEER is another prospective chance.

Numbers: 2-5-11-7

Suggested Bet: Little Big Bear WIN

Race 3

It has been seven years since Arab Dawn and Kinema came down to Australia as winners of the Duke Of Edinburgh, but in recent years, Durston, Le Don De Vie, Downdraft and Saunter Boy have been Australian feature race winners to have previously contested this race. This mile and a half handicap for the older horses is always a challenge and this year is no different. Perhaps last year’s ninth STAY WELL can run to his best, even though he is yet to do so in three starts at Ascot. He was good when stepping back up to 2400m at Kempton last time out and – while his form may not read well on paper – it does read well for a race like this. For example, three starts back he was last of five but that was six lengths from Algiers who was the find of the Dubai winter and finished second in the G1 Dubai World Cup. He was also five lengths from G3 Sky High Stakes winner Protagonist in that same race. If he can get into a good position one out, he’s a player at a price. OKITA SOUSHI, out of Australian G1 winner Amicus, was probably a non-stayer in a number of his runs last year even though he did win over two miles. Think this is probably his trip and expect a bold effort. MAKSUD and TEUMESSIAS FOX are both in the mix as well.

Numbers: 19-6-12-3

Suggested Bet: Stay Well EACH WAY

Race 4

The G1 Coronation Stakes over the round mile for the three-year-old fillies was looking like a salivating rematch from the G1 1000 Guineas until that race’s winner Mawj was withdrawn earlier this week. That leaves runner-up TAHIYRA, a subsequent winner of the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas, as the top seed and clearly the one to beat. Think that Ascot will suit her even better than the Curragh, even though she’s a two-time G1 winner there, and hopefully we will see her power clear just like her male counterpart Paddington did on Tuesday. Irish 1000 Guineas second MEDITATE reopposes and looks the primary threat, although she does have a length and a half to find. She is an Ascot winner, though, having taken the Albany Stakes on the same card last year. MAMMAS GIRL looked to struggle on wet ground in the 1000 Guineas and she remains something of a query at the mile. However, she deserves another chance back on top of the ground. Next best is SOUNDS OF HEAVEN.

Numbers: 7-3-2-6

Suggested Bet: Tahiyra WIN

Race 5

Those three-year-old filly milers who aren’t quite up to the Coronation Stakes – yet, at least – get their chance in the Sandringham Stakes, a handicap over the straight mile. Really quite excited to see GIRL RACER at a mile and she does get that opportunity here. Ignored the last start effort when she buckled at the start; it was a miracle she got within three and a half lengths. Tom Marquand enters in fine form after a double on Thursday and she deserves plenty of respect. The well-bred UNLESS steps out for Aidan O’Brien. She finally broke her maiden at start seven last time out but she didn’t perform poorly in maiden grade. Think a big field handicap down in the weights is exactly what she’s after. MA BELLE ARTISTE was good at Killarney fresh and looks well treated by the handicapper while COPPICE is one of those fillies who probably would have ended up in the Coronation had she come to hand quicker.

Numbers: 10-23-15-9

Suggested Bet: Girl Racer EACH WAY

Race 6

The G2 King Edward VII Stakes over a mile and a half for the three-year-old boys is sometimes known as the Ascot Derby. Winners do occasionally come to Australia – 2021 victor Alenquer is now down under – but it is usually horses in behind that make the trip. For instance, 2017 produced a Caulfield Cup winner (Best Solution), a Cantala Stakes winner (Best Of Days) and a Sydney Cup placegetter (Raheen House). This year, it is all about G1 Epsom Derby runner-up KING OF STEEL. His effort to finish a half-length second to Auguste Rodin fresh was phenomenal and a repeat of that effort will see him take the prize here. ARREST was favourite at Epsom but faded out to finish 10th. I personally think that he’s better with give in the ground and a good to firm track will prove unsuitable again. Still, he can perform better at a more conventional circuit. ARTISTIC STAR, out of the Australian G1-winning sprinter Nechita, finished seventh at Epsom but ran well enough. He’s not without a hope. CONTINUOUS went to the G1 Prix du Jockey Club rather than the Derby and finished a long way behind Ace Impact. However, he looks in need of the mile and a half so can bounce back here, even without winning.

Numbers: 5-2-3-4

Suggested Bet: King Of Steel WIN

Race 7

The Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes was established in 2020 as a five-furlong handicap for the three-year-olds. Similar to the Sandringham, it provides an alternative for those horses not quite at the level to attack the Commonwealth Cup yet. In the first three years, the winner has been somewhere in the market and thinking HARRY BROWN could be the way to attack this year’s race. A model of consistency, he was good in a similar race at Goodwood and think the stiff uphill finish here should suit. He gets the nod from the in-form TAWALLA, who looks suited down in the weights. Not entirely convinced the drop back to 1000m is in his favour but this looks good placement from Charlie Fellowes before his handicap mark increases. RADIO GOO GOO is looking to make it five straight and just seems to know where the post is, while WALBANK drops back to handicap company and is interesting with blinkers for the first time.

Numbers: 24-27-12-2

Suggested Bet: Harry Brown WIN

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