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Two-year-olds to the fore on Friday
Day four at Royal Ascot sees five stakes races, kicked off by the Albany Stakes (Gr 2, 6f) (1:50pm GMT, 10:50pm ACT) which sees the two-year-old fillies fight it over 6 furlongs.
The next race is the Norfolk Stakes (Gr 2, 5f) (2:25pm GMT, 11:15pm ACT) for two-year-olds over 5f. It is hard to look past the Mark Johnston-trained Eye Of Heaven (Exceed And Excel) who entered many people’s reckoning as the likely winner of the Group 2 when he made an impressive debut over the same trip at Newmarket. Johnston has made an exceptional start to the season and it would be no surprise to this colt continue his good start. He will clash with The Lir Jet (Prince Of Lir), who broke the track record when he won his maiden by two and three-quarters of a length at Yarmouth. The colt has since been snapped up by Qatar Racing and looks to be a major player in Friday’s contest. The colt is by first-season sire Prince Of Lir (Kodiac), who won this race in 2016. American trainer Wesley Ward will be looked to win this race for the third time, having taken out the 2013 edition with No Nay Never (Scat Daddy), while in 2018 he saddled Shang Shang Shang (Shanghai Bobby) to victory and he will be send out Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), who finished second on debut at Gulfstream in April.
The Hardwicke Stakes (Gr 2, 1m4f) (3:00pm GMT, 12:00pm ACT) sees last year’s Derby (Gr 1, 1m4f) winner Anthony Van Dyck (Galileo) line-up following his promising second to Ghaiyyath (Dubawi) in the Coronation Stakes (Gr 1, 1m4f) on his seasonal reappearance. Out of Australian-bred Exceed And Excel (Danehill) mare Believe ‘N’ Succeed, the son of Galileo (Sadler’s Wells) somewhat lost his way following his victory in the Classic last year, but looked back to near his best at Newmarket earlier in the month. Another interesting runner is the Shadwell Stud-raced Elarqam (Frankel) - who is the son of champion race mare Attraction (Efisio) and cost a mighty 1,600,000gns at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in 2016. Last seen running a short-head second to Wednesday’s Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (Gr 1, 1m2f) winner Lord North (Dubawi) in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes (Gr 3, 1m2f) earlier in the month, Elarqam is being stepped up to 1m4f for the first time on Friday and his pedigree suggests he should stay every yard. One worry for the son of Frankel (Galileo) is the ground with the track likely to be soft, which won’t be his ideal conditions.
The Commonwealth Cup (Gr 1, 6f) (3:35pm GMT, 12:35 ACT) for the three-year-olds is a relatively new addition to the Royal Ascot program with this year’s race only the sixth running of the Group 1 and the curiously bred Pierre Lapin (Cappella Sansevero) comes into the race the winner of his only two starts as a juvenile, including when looking enormously impressive in the Mill Reef Stakes (Gr 2, 6f) as Newbury. Out of Beatrix Potter (Cadeaux Genereux) - the dam of multiple Group 1 winner and now Darley shuttler Harry Angel (Dark Angel), who finished a narrow second to Caravaggio (Scat Daddy) in the 2017 edition and he looks to have all the credentials to hand his trainer Roger Varian his first win in the Group 1. Golden Horde (Lethal Force) looks tailor made for the Group 1. The Clive Cox-trained colt was unlucky not to land a top-flight race as a two-year-old finishing second to the hugely talented Earthlight (Shamardal) in both the Prix Morny (Gr 1, 1200m) and Middle Park Stakes (Gr 1, 6f) and with the Andre Fabre-trained colt not lining up in the 6f contest it could be the perfect time for Golden Horde to grab a Group 1.
Lope Y Fernandez (Lope De Vega) is an interesting runner for Aidan O’Brien. The colt was last seen finishing third in the Siskin (First Defence) in the Irish 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) and he could really thrive stepping back in trip. The only question mark with him is whether he will handle the quick-back up.
The stakes races for the day are rounded off by the Queen’s Vase (Gr 2, 1m6f) (4:10pm GMT, 1:10pm ACT) for the three-year-olds. Won in 2014 by multiple Australian Group 1 winner Hartnell (Authorized) and by Stradivarius (Sea The Stars) - and is known to be source of future top-class stayers. The 2020 edition looks an open one, but Aidan O’Brien looks well equipped to land his seventh win in the Group 2, with two runners Nobel Prize (Galileo) and Santiago (Authorized). Nobel Prize is out of the Australian-bred mare Hvegar (Danehill) and he will be aiming to become her third winner at Royal Ascot following in the footsteps of his brothers Highland Reel - who landed the Prince of Wales's Stakes (Gr 1, 1m2f) in 2017 and Idaho, who won the Hardwicke Stakes (Gr 2, 1m4f) that same year. However, the lightly-raced Santiago looks to be the master of Ballydoyle’s more fancied runner having shown enough speed to break his maiden over a mile last term and his pedigree screams that he will only thrive when stepped up in trip.
Another interesting contender and the only filly in the race is the William Haggas-trained Born With Pride (Born To Sea), who was also entered for the Ribblesdale Stakes (Gr 2, 1m4f) on Tuesday, but the yard have opted to tackle the 1m6f race instead. The form of the filly’s victory in the Montrose Fillies’ Stakes (Listed, 1m) on her career debut at Newmarket last season received the ultimate boost when Peaceful (Galileo), who finished second behind her that day, came out and impressively landed the Irish 1,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) at the Curragh last Sunday. However, the daughter of Born To Sea (Invincible Spirit) will have to bounce back from a lack-lustre performance on her three-year-old reappearance when she never looked happy in the Classic Trial Stakes (Gr 3, 1m2f) on the all weather at Kempton earlier in the month. The filly is bred to get further, being out of placed Monsun (Königsstuhl) mare Jumooh, making her a three-quarter sister to 2019 Sydney Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) winner Shraaoh (Sea The Stars) and Group 2-winning stayer Raheen House (Sea The Stars) and with the ground now looking like it will come up soft will only add to her chances in the Group 2.
The Albany Stakes (Gr 3, 6f) (1:50pm GMT, 10:50pm ACT).
Bonne Vitesse
2 f Fast Company (IRE) - Mirabile Dictu (IRE) by King's Best (USA)
Trainer: Brian Ellison
Jockey: Daniel Tudhope
Owner: Geoff & Sandra Turnbull
Breeder: Joseph Stewart Investments
Sale: Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale V: Ballyhimikin Stud P: A.C. Elliott, £30,000
Considered one of the outsiders of the field, Bonne Vitesse is the only runner in the field that has had two starts, finishing seventh on her first outing at Newcastle on the June 2, before breaking her maiden eight days later at Pontefract. The filly is out Mirabile Dictu (King’s Best) making her a half-sister to Listed-placed Tres Belle (Holy Roman Emperor). Mirabile Dictu herself is out of stakes winner Miss Honorine (Highest Honor), who is a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Mekong Melody (Cape Cross).
Cirrus
2 f Starspangledbanner (AUS) - Callendula (GB) by Halling (USA)
Trainer: Richard Hannon
Jockey: Pat Dobbs
Owner: Highclere Tbred Racing-Fiddian-Green
Breeder: R Haim
Sale: Tattersalls Ireland Ascot Yearling Sale V: A Gentleman from Jamie Railton P: Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock, £40,000
The son of Rosemont Stud shuttler Starspangledbanner (Choisir) made a promising debut over 6f at Newmarket, finishing second behind Setarhe (Footstepsinthesand) who reopposes on Friday. The Richard Hannon-trained filly is the first foal to race out of two time winning Halling (Diesis) mare Callendula, who is herself a half-sister to seven winners. Further back this is the same family as Group 3 winner Munwar (Kalaglow) and Listed scorer Hateel (Kalaglow). The dam side is packed full of stamina which would suggest the filly will be seen to best effect over long trips in time.
Dandalla
2 f Dandy Man (IRE) - Chellalla (GB) by Elnadim (USA)
Trainer: K R Burke
Jockey: Ben Curtis
Owner: Nick Bradley Racing 28 & E Burke
Breeder: Robert Norton
Sale: Goffs November Foal Sale V: Mr Robert Norton from Newtownbarry House Stud P: LS Bloodstock, €15,500 Sale: Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale V: The Castlebridge Consignment P: Kelly Burke, €22,000
An impressive two-length winner over 5f on debut at Newcastle earlier in the month, the daughter of Dandy Man (Mozart) is out of three time-winning Elnadim (Danzig) mare Chellalla making her a sister to Cauthen - a winner over 7f. Chellalla herself is a half-sister to Italian Listed scoring filly Konkan (Aussie Rules). Dandy Man is a good source of precocious speed and this filly looks like she will be suited to step up in trip, but whether she copes with the jump in grade remains to be seen.
Flying Aletha
2 f Tiznow (USA) - Afleet Honey (USA) by Uncle Mo (USA))
Trainer: Wesley A Ward
Jockey: William Buick
Owner: CJ Thoroughbreds
Breeder: Tami Bobo
Sale: Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale V: Gainesway P: Backstretch Farms, US$100,000
Sale: Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July Yearling Sale V: Summerfield P: CJ Thoroughbreds, US$175,000
The Wesley Ward-trained filly comes into the Group 3 with a big reputation, having produced an impressive five and half length victory on debut at Gulfstream on 21 May and looks a serious smart filly. By leading American sire Tiznow (Cee’s Tizzy), who is a good source of two-year-old speed, the filly is out of winning Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie) mare Afleet Honey, who was purchased for US$37,000 at the Keeneland November Breeding Sale in 2017 by Off the Hook, Agent for Stable 63 carrying the foal in utero. Afleet Honey herself is out of dual Listed winner Afleet Deceit (Northern Afleet). This is also the family of Frankel’s (Galileo) dual Grade 1 winning son Mozu Ascot.
Follow Suit
2 f Kodi Bear (IRE) - Malilla (IRE) by Red Clubs (IRE)
Trainer: Clive Cox
Jockey: Liam Keniry
Owner: Clive Cox Racing Ltd
Breeder: Mrs Tina Cox
Sale: Tattersalls October Yearling (Book 4) V: Brendan Boyle Bloodstock P: Clive Cox Racing 8,000gns
Follow Suit is trained by Clive Cox who sent out her sire Kodi Bear (Kodiac) to four stakes races, headed by the Celebration Mile (Gr 2, 1m) at Goodwood. The filly is out of Malilla (Red Clubs), whose two other foals to race have both been winners with Golden Force (Lethal Force) winning over 6f and 7f, while her other winner Little Miss Lily (Lethal Force) won over 5f. There is speed on the damside with 1987 Coventry Stakes (Gr 3, 6f) winner Always Fair (Danzig) also featured on the page.
Golden Melody
2 f Belardo (IRE) - Chanter (GB) by Lomitas (GB)
Trainer: William Haggas
Jockey: James Doyle
Owner: Ian & Christine Beard & Family
Breeder: Ennistown Stud
Sale: Goffs November Foal Sale V: The Castlebridge Consignment P: Gerard Burke, €14,000
Sale: Tattersalls October Yearling Sale (Book 1) V: Glidawn Stud P: William Haggas, 52,000 gns
Golden Melody landed her first start at Haydock and in the process became the first winner for Haunui Farm shuttler Belardo (Lope De Vega), who has made a really good start with his two-year-olds. She is the sixth winner for her unraced dam Chanter (Lomitas) who is herself out of the Group 3-placed mare Grace Note (Top Ville), the dam of eight winners headed by the Group 1 winner Belmez (El Gran Senor). Grace Note is also the grandam of Arlington Million Stakes (Gr 1, 10f) winner Debussy (Diesis) and further back this is the family of Japanese Grade 1 winner Red Desire (Manhattan Cafe). Belardo himself was a super fast juvenile, who won the Dewhurst Stakes (Gr 1, 7f) at two.
Mahale
2 f Kodiac (GB) - Zarafa (GB) by Fraam (GB)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Owner: Dave and Gill Hedley
Breeder: G Hedley & Mike Channon Bloodstock Ltd
Sale: Tattersalls December Foal Sale V: Norman Court Stud P: Mike Channon Bloodstock, 37,000gns
The filly finished fourth at Newmarket on debut, in what could turn out to be one of the better maidens of the season. She was beaten that day by Sacred (Exceed And Excel) - who is a leading chance in Saturday’s Queen Mary Stakes (Gr 2, 5f). By leading two-year-old stallion in Kodiac (Danehill), the filly is out of unraced Zarafa (Fraam) - the dam of Ridgewood Pearl Stakes (Gr 2, 1m) winner Opal Tiara (Thousand Words), who also won over 5f. Further back this is the same family as Go Blue Or Go Home (Bluegrass Cat), who landed the Woodbine Highlander Stakes (Gr 2, 6f) in 2013.
Mariance
2 f Adaay (IRE) - Fair Maiden (JPN) by Carnegie (IRE)
Trainer: Jonathan Portman
Jockey: Rob Hornby
Owner: Hot To Trot Racing 2 & Mrs M A Parker
Breeder: Mr & Mrs S Bosley
Sale: Tattersalls December Foal Sale V: Mr & Mrs S. Bosley P: Crimbourne Bloodstock, 11,000gns
By first season sire Adaay (Kodiac), who has made a good start with his two-year-olds, Mariance finished fourth behind Undertake (Kodiac) - who she clashes with again in the Group 3 - on debut Lingfield on June 6 and will have to have improved a significant amount if she is to worry the leading players on Friday. The filly is a half-sister to 5f and 6f winner Kapono (Kuroshio) - with the pairs dam a half-sister to WATC Jungle Dawn Classic (Listed, 1400m) winner Premardal (Shamardal) and Group 3-placed Fallacy (Commands). Further back this is the same family as Prix Morny (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Arazi (Blushing Groom) and multiple Group 1 scorer and successful sire Noverre (Rahy).
Mother Earth
2 f Zoffany (IRE) - Many Colours (GB) by Green Desert (USA)
Trainer: A P O'Brien
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Owner: Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor
Breeder: Grenane House Stud
Sale: Goffs Orby Yearling Sale: V: Whitehall Stud P: M V Magnier, €150,000
One of the leading players, having finished second in a competitive maiden at Navan earlier in the month. The two-year-old filly is out of Listed winner Many Colours (Green Desert), making her a half-sister to Night Colours (Night Of Thunder) who landed the Premio Dormello (Gr 2, 1600m) at San Siro in October. Further back this is the fast family of 2014 Queen Mary Stakes (Gr 2, 5f) winner Anthem Alexander (Starspangledbanner) and Newmarket Palace House Stakes (Gr 3, 5f) winner Dandy Man (Mozart).
Setarhe
2 f Footstepsinthesand (GB) - Sommorell (IRE) by Fast Company (IRE)
Trainer: Roger Varian
Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
Owner: Amo Racing Limited
Breeder: R Patterson
Sale: Goffs November Foal Sale V: Hill House P: Tally Ho Stud, €62,000, Sale: Tattersalls October Yearling Sale (Book 1) V: Tally-Ho Stud P: A C Elliott, 160,000gns
The filly is looking to give trainer Roger Varian the second winner in the Group 3 in as many years, having taken out the race in 2019 with Daahyeh (Bated Breath). The filly is out of the unraced Fast Company (Danehill Dancer) mare Sommorell, making her a half-sister to last season’s Committed Stakes (Listed, 5.5f) winner Inverleigh (Excelebration). Sommorell herself is a half-sister to German Group 1 winner Ransom O’War (Red Ransom) and Stella Vivia (Titus Livius) - the dam of Australian Group 3 winner Star Of The Seas (Ocean Park) and Listed winner and now Aquis stallion Spieth (Thorn Park).
Undertake
2 f Kodiac (GB) - Volition (IRE) by Dark Angel (IRE)
Trainer: Roger Varian
Jockey: David Egan
Owner: Cheveley Park Stud
Breeder: Cheveley Park Stud
The two-year-old filly is out of Volition (Dark Angel), who won over 7f and she is herself a half-sister to Prix de l'Opera (Gr 1, 2000m) winner Kinnaird (Dr Devious) and she also won over 1200 metres. Kinnaird herself is the dam of Royal Lodge Stakes (Gr 2, 1600m) winner Berkshire (Mount Nelson) and Wagga Wagga Gold Cup (Listed, 2000m) winner Abdon (Cacique). Further afield this is the same family as Richmond Stakes (Gr 2, 6f) winner Ivawood (Zebedee) and champion filly Laurens (Siyouni).
Valpolicella
2 f Tamayuz (GB) - Comfort In Sound (USA) by War Front (USA)
Trainer: Paul & Oliver Cole
Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Owner: Christopher Wright
Breeder: Stratford Place Stud
The two-year-old filly looked promising when she broke her maiden over 6f at Newmarket and she is out of unraced War Front (Danzig) mare Comfort In Sound, who is herself a half-sister to Chiringuita (Hard Spun) a winner over 6f. Further back this is the family of Nahoodh (Clodovil), who won both the Falmouth Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) and Lowther Stakes (Gr 2, 6f). The filly also shares a page with Listed winner Misbegotten (Baillamont) - the dam of Group 3 winner Not Just Swing (King’s Best) and Listed scorer Minoa (Mujtahid).
Ventura Vision
2 f No Nay Never (USA) - Great Trip (USA) by Lemon Drop Kid (USA)
Trainer: Mark Johnston
Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
Owner: Middleham Park Xviii & Steven Rocco
Breeder: Jean-Pierre-Joseph Dubois
Sale: Arqana Deauville August V2 Yearling Sale V: Capucines P: Mandore International Agency, €120,000
By former Coolmore Stud shuttler No Nay Never (Scat Daddy), the two-year-old filly is out of Great Trip (Lemon Drop Kid) who won over a mile. Great Trip is herself out of Sweet Travel (Danzig), who won over 6½f in the USA and she is a sister to Group 3 winner Iron Mask (Danzig). Further back this is the same family as Listed Beautifix (Bering) - the dam of Group 3 winner Sofast (Rock Of Gibraltar) and Listed-winning trio Spaday (Exceed And Excel), Spiritfix (Invincible Spirit) and Eyeful (Muhtathir).
Willabell
2 f War Front (USA) - Photo Call (IRE) by Galileo (IRE)
Trainer: John Gosden
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Owner: St Elias Stables LLC
Breeder: Teresa Viola Racing Stables
The filly comes into the Group 3 having finished a narrow second to Kadupul (Dark Angel) at Yarmouth on June 10 and is bred on the same cross that is a good source of stakes winners; including three at Group 1 level. The filly is out of multiple Grade 1 winner Photo Call (Galileo), who is herself out of Theann (Rock of Gibraltar), who landed the Summer Stakes (Gr 3, 6f). Theann is the dam of Richmond Stakes (Gr 2, 6f) winner Land Force (No Nay Never). The filly’s third dam is dual Group 2 winner Cassandra Go (Indian Ridge) - the dam of Irish 1,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) winner Halfway To Heaven (Pivotal), who in turn produced multiple Group 1 winners Magical (Galileo) and Rhododendron (Galileo) and Group 3 winner Flying The Flag (Galileo).