15:40 Royal Ascot

Wednesday 21 June 2017

All14:3015:0515:4016:2017:0017:35

Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2) (Str)

Off time: 15:44 | Winning time: 1m 38.34s

(3)

Furia Cruzada⁸⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Aurelien Lemaitre| T: S Kobayashi| OR: 108| D

66/1

Winner on the dirt over in Dubai this winter and finished second in this contest last year behind the re-opposing Usherette. This looks a little deeper and she arrives on 6lb worse terms with that rival this time; will struggle to reverse the form.

Form: 653-130

(12)

Opal Tiara²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: M R Channon| OR: 109| BF

33/1

Has won a couple of Group contests, most recently a Group 2 in Meydan on similar ground to what she should get here. Beat a couple of smart ones on that occasion and not disgraced in a Group 2 at the Curragh last time. Well suited to fast ground and trainer has a fine record with his fillies so plenty to like about her chances.

Form: 7-21042

(15)

Aim To Please⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: P J McDonald| T: F Doumen

40/1

Group 3 winner at Maisons Laffitte last season but well beaten in two starts this year and will have wanted softer conditions than what she'll get here.

Form: 3310-83

(14)

Aljazzi^h⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: A Kirby| T: M Botti| OR: 101| D

40/1

Has won a couple of Listed wins to her name but looks a little out of her depth here. Less exposed than some at least and she's versatile tactics wise.

Form: 0149-15

(16)

Dawn Of Hope⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 110| CD

33/1

Best effort to date came in a Listed contest at Deauville but would probably be better suited to softer conditions than what she will get here. Well beaten last time in Group company and looks up against it again here.

Form: 1541-37

(1)

Mix And Mingle³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: C F Wall| OR: 113| D

8/1

Arrives here in search of a hat-trick and seemingly going from strength to strength this year. Needs more again but had re-opposing dual Group 1 winner Qemah in behind at Lingfield last time off level-weights and not impossible she will confirm that form.

Form: 5240-11

(9)

Pirouette¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: H Morrison| OR: 105| BF| D

14/1

Very consistent sort but yet to get her head in front in pattern company and this would appear to be her toughest test to date. Gets the services of the Champion Jockey but a place probably the best she can hope for.

Form: 2352-32

(10)

Qemah³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Gregory Benoist| T: J C Rouget| OR: 116| BF| CD

5/2

Winner of the Group 1 Coronation Stakes and Prix Rothschild last year but not returned in the same form this time around and had Mix And Mingle in behind at Lingfield on her latest start. Needs to return to form if she is to land back-to-back races at this meeting.

Form: 13113-2

(4)

Same Jurisdiction¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Gavin Lerena| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 103| D

125/1

Two-time Grade 1 winner at Greyville in South Africa but not reached that level of form in the past couple of years. Top international jockey booked but would appear out of her depth in this company.

Form: 1/4249-2

(11)

Smart Call³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 119| D

9/2

In flying form last year in South Africa, landing three Grade 1 contest but she needs to come on plenty for her recent yard debut at York. In good hands and trainer does well with these sorts so not dismissed with top jockey in the saddle.

Form: 511/11-3

(2)

Summer Icon¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: G Lee| T: M R Channon| OR: 95

150/1

Progressive sort and trainer does well with his fillies but she has been a little out of form this campaign and needs a career best to even place.

Form: 397366

(7)

Turret Rocks²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 109| BF| D

16/1

Bit of an inconsistent sort and probably a little better over further than this. Trainer has a low strike-rate around here and he has just one win from his last 21 runners when teaming up with this jockey at this course. Opposable until returned to further.

Form: 745-613

(13)

Usherette²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: M Barzalona| T: A Fabre| CD

11/4

Top-class filly but hasn't been seen to best effect since a disappointing run at Newmarket on the July course. Won last year's renewal of this on previous start but ground was softer that day and she needs to bounce back in emphatic fashion after two below par performances this year if she is to have any say in this contest.

Form: 1116-33

(8)

Greta G³²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: O Peslier| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 110| D

14/1

Group 1 winner in her native South America but it would be a surprise if that form was quite up to the level required here. Interesting recruit for this yard and market can reveal expectations.

Form: 4121-

Non-Runners

(5)

Absolute Blast¹⁸

Weight: 9-0| Age: 5

T: A Watson J: Non Runner

(6)

Laugh Aloud¹⁸

Weight: 9-0| Age: 4

T: J & T Gosden J: James Doyle

Forecasts

Laugh Aloud (9/4), Qemah (5/2), Usherette (11/4), Smart Call (9/2), Mix And Mingle (8/1), Pirouette (14/1), Greta G (14/1), Turret Rocks (16/1), Dawn Of Hope (33/1), Opal Tiara (33/1), Aljazzi (40/1), Aim To Please (40/1), Furia Cruzada (66/1), Absolute Blast (66/1), Same Jurisdiction (125/1), Summer Icon (150/1)

LAUGH ALOUD is still progressing and it would be no surprise to see her in the mix after an easy win at Epsom last time. Usherette will do well to win back-to-back renewals of this after some uninspiring performances but she can't be dismissed if she can find her form again. Mick Channon does well in pattern races with his fillies and he saddles Opal Tiara who still appears to be on an upward curve and ran a fine race in Meydan earlier this year in similar conditions.