Morning all,

Day four of Royal Ascot. It’s set to be a hot day both on and off the track with the glorious sunshine expected to continue for one more day. We have two Group 1 races on today’s seven race card the first being a competitive looking Commonwealth Cup (3:05). However, the race of the day is a mouth-watering Coronation Stakes (4:20).  With challengers from Ireland, France and two fillies coming over from the USA. It has a real international feel to it and could be one of the races of the week.

Not sure what’s been happening with the draw on the straight course but on the evidence of the last couple of day’s you need to be drawn middle to far side.

The juvenile fillies get Friday’s card underway with the latest running of the Group 3 Albany Stakes (2:30). The unbeaten Aidan O’Brien trained filly Mediate has the best form andhad been expected to be favourite. However, there’s been good support for the Saeed Bin Suroor filly Mawj who looked a smart prospect when winning on her racecourse debut at Newmarket. Fully Wet overcame inexperience to make a winning racecourse debut at Goodwood (good to soft). She’s capable of going close if handling today’s quicker ground. Queen Olly, a daughter of No Nay Never, looked useful when making a winning racecourse debut at York last month. The time was nothing special but she’s capable of better.

Commonwealth Could Be Perfect for Power

Both Group 1’s are crackers. The Commonwealth Cup should be run to suit Perfect Power. He didn’t stay the mile in the 2,000 Guineas but this more his trip. A top juvenile sprinter last season this could be his chance to land a Group 1 as 3-year-old.

El Caballo comes into the race in great form having won his last six starts. The colt proved he was good on turf as the all-weather when digging deep to hold off Flaming Rib in the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes last time. There was a neck between him and Flaming Rib at Haydock, but Ascot’s stiffer track may suit El Cabello better. Wings Of War bounced back to his best when finishing 2 lengths back in third in the Sandy Lane. I can see him going well again and he could be suited by the big-field/strong-pace scenario of the race.

There was plenty to like about Twilight Jet’s seasonal return win at Naas last month. He’s returned to action arguably better than ever and looks to have a big chance. Tiber Flow had Ehraz a short head back in second when winning a Listed race at Newbury last time.  However, I fancy that Ehraz can reverse placings today.

Race of the Day

The Coronation Cup is the race of the day, and it could be the race of the week. Last season’s top juvenile filly Inspiral makes a belated seasonal return after being forced to miss the 1,000 Guineas. The form of her Fillies Mile win has proved very strong form. Unbeaten on all her four career starts she will be tough to beat if fit from a long layoff. Cachet was beaten 2 ¾ length by Inspiral in the Fillies Mile but she showed she had trained on well when making all to win the 1,000 Guineas and then finishing runner-up in the French 1,000 Guineas. Mangoustine beat Cachet by a head last time. There shouldn’t be much between the pair again, but I think the French filly is open to further improvement if she handles today’s much quicker ground.

The American challengers Spendarella and Pizza Bianca must be respected. The latter won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on firm ground with Cachet a length back in fourth. Of the pair preference is for the unbeaten Spendarella. She’s open to further improvement, the ground will suit and if she handles the track, she can go well with William Buick a good jockey booking.

Royal Ascot Selection:

4:20 – Spendarella – 10/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes

Good luck with your Royal Ascot bets.

John