6f Commonwealth Cup (Group 1) (No Geldings) (Class 1) (3yo)
Shadow Of Light put in a storming run in the 2000 Guineas and should have no problem stepping back in trip from a mile to 6f, but he still got going fairly late on at Newmarket and his odds are pretty short for a horse who’s best form has been on soft ground.
At bigger odds, I like the chances of both Juddmonte entries with BABOUCHE and JONQUIL both proven Group 1 performers. On the former, Ger Lyons is very particular about the horses he brings to Royal Ascot, he doesn’t mess around and the fact he brings Babouche here clearly means he feels she is in great form with a huge chance. She already claimed an impressive victory last time out and you feel like she hasn’t quite fulfilled her potential having competed in all the big 2-year-old races last season. She has a chance to mark herself as a really classy sprinter and I think she could show big improvement in a strongly run race. Colin Keane is also aboard but is suspect that is more down to familiarity than a strong preference for connections.
Jonquil is also an exceptionally classy performer and I have no concerns that he will be able to handle the drop in distance here. He has shown enough speed and was up with the pace in an extremely fast run French 2000 Guineaae when getting outstayed by Henri Matisse. Milers dropping down to this trip have often done well in the Commonwealth Cup and he could be another that adds weight to that trend.
Both are nice prices given the short odds on the fav and I’d fancy them both to have as good a chance as Shadow Of Light.
1pt win Babouche @11/2, 1pt win Jonquil @6/1, 15:05 Royal Ascot, Friday
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