CORONET TO CUT DOWN OAKS RIVALS
1.55 SKY BET LOWTHER STAKES 6 FURLONGS
IT will only be a matter of time before Aidan O’Brien’s string are firing on all cylinders once more and it would be unwise to dismiss the chances of Fairyland just because her yard has been quiet of late.
Her honourable third in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot reads well as ANGEL’S
HIDEAWAY was a place behind that day and she was in front on her side of the track.
However, the last named has improved since that run in June and, although she had no answer to Pretty Pollyanna in a controversial running of the Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes — her rider sustained a ban — a confidence booster in Group Three company at Ascot should have prepared her nicely for a return to the top table.
Her jockey utilised her potent turn of foot last time following a patient ride and she could be difficult to resist if similar tactics are employed today.
SELECTION: ANGEL’S HIDEAWAY DANGER: FAIRYLAND
2.25 GOFFS UK YEARLING STAKES 6 FURLONGS
WILLIAM HAGGAS (three wins), Kevin Ryan (two) and Richard Hannon (two) have dominated the last seven runnings of this event and their representatives must be respected, especially Fanaar given he is equipped with the blinkers for the first time.
It is interesting that connections are willing to forsake a handicap mark in the mid 80s in return for the chance to land a sizeable pot and he is entitled to improve for this first run since May when narrowly beaten at Yarmouth by Marhaba Milliar. Smooth Windsor winner Masaru is another to consider from the Hannon camp given he was also entered in the Gimcrack this week. It will grate with Richard Fahey that Wootton Bassett (2010) is his sole winner from 21 runners in the last decade, but the Yorkshire handler has bright prospects of striking again courtesy of KODYANNA.
Runner-up in a French Group Three last time, the daughter of Kodiac has faced some stiff tasks this summer, but has performed with credit not least when chasing home Signora Cabello in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot, a race that has worked out well.
SELECTION: KODYANNA DANGER: MASARU
3.00 CLIPPER LOGISTICS HANDICAP 1 MILE
THIS appears one of the premier handicaps of its type this summer and the shortlist is extensive. The lightly raced SHARJA
BRIDGE hasn’t always found as much off the bridle as expected, but he remains a very interesting prospect given this is just his seventh start and he could well appreciate the drop back to a mile after running well at Royal Ascot in a hot race.
Although beaten four lengths by Monarchs Glen that day, Sharja Bridge was forced to race three wide for much of the journey and it was no great surprise when the petrol light began to flicker at the furlong pole.
A strongly run mile should play to the strengths of a horse which boasts a high cruising speed and he is narrowly preferred to Goodwood Mile winner Seniority and Afaak who landed a course and distance handicap with authority at the May meeting before running well at both Ascot and Goodwood in hot handicaps.
Kynren and Hors De Combat are others to consider given positive recent performances.
SELECTION: SHARJA BRIDGE DANGER: AFAAK
3.35 DARLEY YORKSHIRE OAKS 1 MILE 4 FURLONGS
TIME may tell us that
CORONET faced a near impossible task trying to mix it with Poet’s Word and Crystal Ocean in a titanic renewal of the King George, but she should be more at home in familiar surroundings today and could upset likely favourite Sea Of Class.
The selection couldn’t match the speed of Poet’s Word at Ascot, but there was no disgrace in finishing an honourable third and the last time she tackled her own sex she ran out a conqueror of the useful Horseplay here in May. Her five-length defeat in last year’s renewal of this race at the hands of Enable rates as the premier piece of form on show and that level of performance was matched when agonisingly beaten in the Grand Prix de SaintCloud by the talented Waldgeist.
Both Irish Oaks winner Sea Of Class and the likeable Laurens are feared and the latter could leap forward again by stretching out to a mile and a half, but Coronet is highly talented and boasts course experience so may have the measure of the three-year-olds.
SELECTION: CORONET DANGER: SEA OF CLASS