6/1

FRIDAY used to be perceived as one of the lesser days of the Royal Ascot meeting, but that has changed with the recent addition of the Commonwealth Cup — a Group 1 race over six furlongs for three-year-olds.

Sands Of Mali is rated by Richard Fahey as his very best bet at the meeting, while James Tate’s Invincible Army has won at over course and distance.

Another interesting contender is the American raider GIDU, not least because he is a son of Frankel and his owners also had Triple Crown winner American Pharaoh in their ranks.

Gidu, who will be ridden by John Velazquez, has never been out of the first two — with three wins in his five starts.