1.5pts win Magic Wand @9/2, 15:40 Royal Ascot, Thursday

There are several horses in the Ribblesdale Stakes that contested the Oaks at Epsom a few weeks ago. However, the going conditions are extremely different at Royal Ascot with a more conventional stiff track and rattling-fast conditions to contend with.

I don’t necessarily see those two factors and a 3lb penalty supporting the chances of Wild Illusion at her current price of 5/2. Yes, she finished runner-up in the Oaks and sets the standard. But she had her favoured conditions at Epsom and still couldn’t put it to bed so looks vulnerable.

The eventual winner Forever Together deserved it on the day, but she was no match for the Epsom Oaks fourth MAGIC WAND who was a long way clear of her in the Cheshire Oaks at Chester on her penultimate start.

The former didn’t have the clearest of passages, so it’s anyone guess whether that race could have been different, but Magic Wand showed a great turn of foot and I think she will really handle this track.

In four starts, the selection has only be able to show that change of gear by racing on ground better than soft once – at Chester.

Her other two runs (besides the Oaks) were in bottomless conditions in Ireland including on her first start, where stablemate Athena was in behind.

There is a very good chance that today’s going could be bang on for Ryan Moore’s filly and in much the same vein as Kew Gardens who left his previous form behind him for Ballydoyle on day two, Magic Wand could be about to do the same.

Perfect Clarity wasn’t seen to best light either at Epsom when finishing seventh so is a solid alternative for each-way punters.

1.5pts win Magic Wand @9/2, 15:40 Royal Ascot, Thursday

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