Opera Singer has been tipped to win the Gr 1 Coronation Stakes (Picture: Sporting Life)
At The Races
1 3:30 PM SA Time – Albany Stakes (Fillies’ Group 3)
Aidan O’Brien plays a strong hand as he bids for a third success in this race. While Heavens Gate is notable after breezing through a Curragh maiden last month, it is hard to look beyond FAIRY GODMOTHER as the stable’s best hope. Despite finding one too good when running green on debut at Naas, the daughter of Night Of Thunder reversed the form with the winner of that race, producing a power-packed finish in a Group 3 at the same venue last month. It has been all systems go at Ballydoyle for this since. The unbeaten Mountain Breeze can give the selection most to think about after a brace of novice wins at Newmarket. Hot Darling, a Listed scorer in France, and maiden winners Liberalised and Twafeeg appeal as each-way hopes.
Top Tip: FAIRY GODMOTHER (5)
Watch out for: MOUNTAIN BREEZE (11)
2 4:05 PM SA Time – Commonwealth Cup (Group 1) (British Champions Series)
After a ready success in the Group 3 Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes on his previous outing, JASOUR can continue his upward trajectory and land a first Group 1. Clive Cox saddled Golden Horde to land this prize in 2020 and this son of Havana Grey can give him a second success in the race. Inisherin rates as the obvious danger after a comfortable win in the Sandy Lane at Haydock, but that form isn’t yet convincing after the well-fancied Vandeek under-performed. Elite Status should also be on the scene after an impressive success in Listed company at Newbury, while Starlust actually boasts the highest rating in this field and he isn’t easily discounted.
Top Tip: JASOUR (5)
Watch out for: INISHERIN (4)
3 4:45 PM SA Time – Coronation Stakes (Fillies’ Group 1) (British Champions Stakes) (Rnd)
The first three from the 1000 Guineas reoppose, but it can pay to side with OPERA SINGER. A brilliant winner of the Prix Marcel Boussac last October, connections were clear to point out that she would come on for her highly creditable third in the Irish 1,000 Guineas and now could be the time she is seen at her optimum. Elmalka narrowly saw off Porta Fortuna and Ramatuelle in the Newmarket Guineas, but it may be Donnacha O’Brien’s runner-up who fares best of that trio this time, having proven herself around a bend when touched off at the Breeders’ Cup.
Top Tip: OPERA SINGER (5)
Watch out for: PORTA FORTUNA (6)
4 5:25 PM SA Time – Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap)
Four of the last six renewals of this contest have gone the way of a four-year-old, so with that in mind, the vote goes to ETHICAL DIAMOND. The son of Awtaad was denied by the smallest of margins over 1m2f at Leopardstown in his preparation for this, shaping as if he would relish this extra distance. The booking of Ryan Moore catches the eye and he looks the one to be on, with his main threat possibly being Tony Montana, who seems to just do enough in his races, which possibly allows him to keep ahead of the handicapper. Michael Bell’s gelding is only 2lb higher for his Windsor success last month and he isn’t taken lightly, while Crystal Black and Deakin are just two others to consider in a wide-open heat.
Top Tip: ETHICAL DIAMOND (16)
Watch out for: TONY MONTANA (21)
5 6:05 PM SA Time – Sandringham Stakes (Fillies’ Handicap) (Str)
A typically-open renewal sees a whole host of of runners in with a chance, but it’s ASIAN DAZE who gets the tentative nod to give the 2021 winning combination of Johnny Murtagh and Ben Coen a second success in the race. This daughter of Frontiersman was only narrowly beaten by the reopposing Everlasting off level weights when second in Listed company over 1m at Navan earlier this month and she could reverse that form off a 5lb lower mark than Aiden O’Brien’s charge. The hat-trick seeking Indelible looks a leading player off a very tempting opening mark of 91 on his handicap bow, while Zaynab (first) and Flight Of Fancy (third) finished in front of the selection two starts ago and they are also worthy of consideration.
Top Tip: ASIAN DAZE (5)
Watch out for: INDELIBLE (17)
6 6:40 PM SA Time – King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2)
Agenda was no match for the ill-fated Hidden Law in the Chester Vase but that is a strong piece of form and he can mount another stern challenge, for a trainer that has landed two of the previous five renewals of this race. Stablemate Diego Velazquez finished a creditable fourth in the French Guineas before posting another solid performance in the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly earlier this month. Upped further in trip and back on a sounder surface, he must be feared, but THEORY OF TIDES might be worth chancing. This is much tougher than the two novice events he has been successful in but the son of Galileo looks potentially a high-class performer and he could be up to the task. Space Legend was an unfortunate loser at Goodwood last time but he won’t be far away granted a clear passage, while French raider Calandagan should not be underestimated but he might prefer slower ground.
Top Tip: THEORY OF TIDES (12)
Watch out for: AGENDA (1)
7 7:15 PM SA Time – Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes (Handicap)
Although this is just the fifth renewal of this 5f contest for three-year-olds, it is interesting to note that the top six in the weights have yet to make the frame in the past four years. This is a stat that the well-fancied Jubilee Walk must overcome, but James Ferguson’s gelding still warrants respect having completed a hat-trick at York last month. However, it may pay to side with a less-exposed rival in DORNEY LAKE. The Ardad colt has impressed on both victories to date this season and an opening handicap mark of 90 may underestimate his ability. The unbeaten Dyrholaey is also open to more improvement than most and arrives here on the back of a gutsy victory at Newcastle. The Archie Watson-trained colt is feared most, while Epsom Dash scorer Blue Storm and Vantheman are just two others to consider in a wide-open finale.
Top Tip: DORNEY LAKE (21)
Watch out for: JUBILEE WALK (6)
