Due Diligence has it in him to go one better than last year

DUE DILIGENCE can step up on his second of last year in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, the feature event on the closing day of Royal Ascot.

Admittedly Aidan O’Brien’s charge does not come into the race this time with quite as progressive a profile as last term, but he still appears to be a horse on the up.

O’Brien’s runners appear to have found their stride of late after a more sedate than usual start to the season and Due Diligence can keep up the good work.

POSTPONED should have both his optimum trip and conditions in the Hardwicke Stakes.

Luca Cumani’s charge demonstrated his immense promise when graduating to a Group Two win in the Great Voltigeur last year and he looked in similar sort of heart when chasing home the reopposing Western Hymn on his reappearance at Sandown in April.

The ground was probably a shade too slow for him there and he showed himself to be of Group One class when a narrow third in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh on his most recent outing.

TATLISU could be the answer to the tough task that is always the Wokingham Stakes while First Flight can star in the Wolferton Handicap.

John Gosden can round off the meeting on a winning note with MARZOCCO in the closing Queen Alexandra Stakes.

Ayr’s Scottish Sun Raceday has attracted 12 top class fillies including Michael Dod’s consistent SPINATRIX in the British Stallion Studs.

The earlier 1m Handicap at 2.20pm sees the Hamdan Al Maktoum colours and Sir Michael Stoute with a rare runner at Ayr in the shape of MUKHAYYAM who takes on five rivals.

SELECTIONS ASCOT: 2.30 Ballydoyle, 3.05 First Flight, 3.40 Postponed, 4.20 DUE DILIGENCE (NAP), 5.00 Tatlisu, 5.35 Marzocco.

AYR: 1.50 Cape Speed, 2.20 Mukhayyam, 2.55 Off Art, 3.30 Mica Mika, 4.10 Spinatrix, 4.50 Lexington Place, 5.25 Jinky.

DOUBLE: Due Diligence and Postponed.