LAUGH ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK
2.30 JERSEY STAKES
LE BRIVIDO can take this prize back across the Channel judged on his narrow defeat by Brametot in the French 2,000 Guineas. The latter went on to land the French Derby so the form is absolutely rock solid. The French Guineas was run on testing ground, but Le Brivido won on good ground at Chantilly on her second start and the fast conditions should hold no terrors for her. My each-way bet is
Daban, trained by John Gosden. Daban is in great heart, having won the Group Three Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket on her seasonal reappearance. She then finished a highly respectable third behind Winter in the 1,000 Guineas on the same course. She was run out of second place close home and her breeding strongly suggests that dropping back a furlong will be beneficial. Dream Castle has a tendency to take a keen hold and that could find him out once again.
SELECTION: LE BRIVIDO EACH-WAY: Daban LAY: Dream Castle
3.05 QUEENS MARY STAKES
HEARTACHE could not have made a much better start to her career than she did at Bath when landing her debut race by no less than six lengths. Joseph O’Brien had sent one over for that race in the shape of Lynn’s Memory (well held in third), who franked the form when scoring on a return visit to the Somerset track next time.
Mrs Gallagher is suggested as the each-way play. Like the selection, William Jarvis’ filly is one from one after a winning start over this course and distance, where she rallied in game fashion to beat subsequent winners in similar conditions to those she can expect to encounter today. Happy
Like A Fool is likely to go off a short price on the strength of her only run – a win over four-and-ahalf furlongs at Keeneland for Wesley Ward – but could be worth taking on.
SELECTION: HEARTACHE EACH-WAY: Mrs Gallagher LAY: Happy Like A Fool
3.40 DUKE OF CAMBRIGE STAKES
LAUGH ALOUD is super-consistent and showed she was at her peak when quickening nicely to annexe the Group Three Princess Elizabeth Stakes. John Gosden filly’s turn of foot should be a useful weapon in this big field. For each-way backers Mix
And Mingle looks the answer. Chris Wall’s charge has blossomed this season, winning both her starts, latterly at Lingfield, where she won a Group Three contest in good style. It could pay layers to take on Usherette. Andre Fabre’s French raider won the Duke of Cambridge here last year, but hasn’t quite looked in the same form since.
SELECTION: LAUGH ALOUD EACH-WAY: Mix And Mingle LAY: Usherette
4.20 PRINCE OF WALE’S STAKES
See front page. SELECTION: MEHKTAAL EACH-WAY: Decorated Knight LAY: Ulysses
5.00 ROYAL HUNT CUP
ABE LINCOLN hasn’t been seen on a racecourse since going under by a short head in the Britannia Stakes at last year’s royal meeting. Despite the lack of a run, his astute trainer Jeremy Noseda should have him fit enough to gain compensation here. Banksea will give each-way backers a run for their money. Gelding seems to have had the required effect on this son of Lawman who turned in a career-best performance on his first run since the operation when winning a handicap at Newbury last time. El Vip, a stablemate of Banksea, is one for the layers.
SELECTION: ABE LINCOLN EACH-WAY: Banksea LAY: El Vip
5.35 SANDRINGHAM STAKES
QUEEN OF TIME has suffered in the weights for her recent Goodwood win but that was a splendid performance in a race won the previous year by Persuasive, who followed up in this very race in 2016. A tough customer, Queen Of Time is an improving filly and looks at the right end of the handicap.
Gymnaste is very lightly raced and has a record of 212 in her three outings. She has improved with each run and can repay win and place backers. On Her
Toes is the one to lay.
SELECTION: QUEEN OF TIME EACH-WAY: Gymnaste LAY: On Her Toes