Queen Mary Stakes (Group Two) 5f
I can’t have the American raider at the prices given her dirt pedigree and the fact she’s never raced on soft ground, on a straight course or indeed on grass. I’m not sure why Aidan O’Brien’s chief hope TANGO is such a big price at 16/1, given we know she stays well – which she will need to in these conditions – and won well last time out. She has a sprint sire in No Nay Never whose progeny usually handle cut, so there’s plenty to like. I’ve a lot of time for the Godolphin first-string Final Song who looked so good on debut, but she’s a short price for a 27-runner race so is hard to recommend as a bet. I prefer another Godolphin hope Theory Of Time, who bolted up on debut without ever really being asked for effort, and could be anything, but I do worry if he can really be speedy enough for this drop in trip.
1pt each-way Tango @16/1, 14:30 Ascot (1-4, 1/5 with WillHill)
Queen’s Vase (Group 2) 14f
It’s difficult to split Western Australia and Norway, and both are likely to go very close. However, when the going gets tough at Ascot, the Frankels really get going and show their staying power. EMINENT AUTHORITY has only had two racecourse starts and should relish softer ground and a longer trip, given how he looked a little outpaced before staying on powerfully last time out.
1pt each-way Eminent Authority @8/1, 15:05 Ascot (1-4, 1/5 with WillHill)
Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2) 8f
Look no further than I CAN FLY, whose Ascot credentials could not be more solid in this grade. She went so close to winning last year’s Group One QEII on similar ground over the same course and distance, beating Tuesday’s Queen Anne winner Lord Glitters, while she beat the Queen Anne third One Master last time out, and would have won that race if she didn’t give the winner such a big lead. Her form is simply better than this field and 9/2 could be a lot shorter, so as long as the race is run to suit I can’t see her beaten if she is A1 for this. Rawdaa is the obvious threat and is a fair price herself at 5/1.
1pt win I Can Fly @9/2, 16:20 Ascot
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