The penultimate afternoon of Royal Ascot on Friday features the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup amongst a deep line-up of group-race action that also includes the Albany, Norfolk and Hardwicke Stakes alongside the Queen’s Vase.
You can watch all the action from Royal Ascot via live streaming when you are logged into MansionBet and out tipster has put together selections for all of Friday’s races.
1.15 Palace Of Holyroodhouse Handicap (5f)
A big-field handicap but one where ART POWER dominates the betting as the 9/4* favourite. Tim Easterby’s colt has won two of three starts so far, both by wide margins. He was all power and pace when making all recently on the all-weather at Newcastle and looks to be an attractive mark for his handicap debut. He’s well-respected and could be very good.
Archie Watson’s string are in good tune and he fires a quartet at this prize, with Hollie Doyle’s mount MAYSTAR given an each-way claim at 14/1. He’s won three times in six starts and his experience gained in Group/Listed races ought to stand him in good stead.
1.50 Albany Stakes (6f)
Trainer Mick Channon has won the Albany Stakes three times in the past and 22/1 chance MAHALE looks a genuine contender here. The Kodiac filly was fourth on debut this month at Newmarket in a strong event that has already produced three next-time-out winners. Oisin Murphy gets the leg up today and the extra furlong looks sure to suit his mount.
At the front of the market look out for Wesley Ward’s FLYING ALETHA at 7/2. She lived up to her name on debut at Gulfstream and, blinkered now, is capable of a big performance up on the pace with William Buick booked to ride for a trainer that knows all there is about speedy fillies.
2.25 Norfolk Stakes (5f)
EYE OF HEAVEN was fancied on debut at Newmarket and set a track record with his win early this month, seemingly with plenty room for better. The third home, Tactical, impressively won the Windsor Castle here on Wednesday (runner-up fourth in that race) and Frankie Dettori’s mount is likely to take some stopping now at 6/4.
After an impressive and speedy debut success at Yarmouth, THE LIR JET was snapped up by Qatar Racing and will have champion jockey Oisin Murphy for assistance today as he seeks to emulate his sire, Prince Of Lir, who won this race in 2016. Michael Bell’s 6/1 chance is fancied to give the market leader something to think about.
3.00 Hardwicke Stakes (1m4f)
A Group 2 win and a terrific third in a high-quality renewal of York’s Juddmonte International were the highlights for ELARQAM last season. Trainer Mark Johnston has always held the son of Frankel in high regard and he is delivering now. He looked in trouble in the Brigadier Gerard at Haydock on his return before rallying strongly and just losing out to Lord North – an impressive winner of the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes here on Wednesday.
Jim Crowley could scarcely be in better form and this 11/4 chance can take the measure of last year’s Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck, who is stepped to this distance for the first time.
At a working man’s price, don’t rule out a big run at 28/1 from SPANISH MISSION for David Simcock. A Bahrain Trophy winner (1m5f) last year, he also has form at this trip and could sneak into the money.
3.35 Commonwealth Cup (6f)
The unbeaten Pierre Lapin is going to be popular here being a half-brother to Group 1-winning sprinter Harry Angel, second in this in 2017. Clive Cox trained that subsequent July Cup hero and his GOLDEN HORDE can go very well at 6/1 here under Adam Kirby.
Winner of the Richmond at Glorious Goodwood last summer, he had also shaped well in the Coventry here and ended with a fine second in the Middle Park at Newmarket. Further progress is likely and his experience in good company is going to be a key asset.
Things didn’t happen for MILLISLE in the 1,000 Guineas recently but it’s very interesting that Jessica Harrington immediately opts to drop back to 6f. She beat off Queen Mary winner Raffle Prize when taking the Cheveley Park Stakes on her final start last season and could very quickly bounce back at 11/1 when returned to this distance.
4.10 Queen’s Vase (1m6f)
Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy have tasted big-race success already via the 2,000 Guineas this month and BERKSHIRE ROCCO can give them more in the Queen’s Vase at 7/2.
The Sir Percy colt ran a pleasing race in the Group 2 Zetland Stake at Newmarket (1m2f, soft) on his final start last season and likely improved on that when second to Epsom-bound English King on his return in a Lingfield Derby Trial this month.
He had to do plenty hard yards in making the running there and with the likes of London Arch, On Guard and Born With Pride all capable of front-running today, the champion jockey can get a toe into the race and his partner looks set to excel over this longer trip.
4.40 Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (1m4f)
A fiendish finish for punters with this tough handicap and it might be wise to play something at a big price and hope to hit the frame (five places with MansionBet).
INDIANAPOLIS has really improved since being fitted with cheekpieces, winning 2 of his 3 starts last autumn in the new headgear. One of those wins was over C&D (only run here) on good ground and he’s only 2lb above the mark he scored off at Leicester in October. He showed versatility in that four-runner field to win from the front but is best when held up and he should be a lot sharper for his recent run at Newmarket. He’s not without a chance at 22/1 under Ben Curtis.
*All odds correct at time of writing
