15:40 Royal Ascot

Wednesday 20 June 2018

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

Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (Fillies' Group 2) (Str)

Off time: 15:43 | Winning time: 1m 40.53s

(11)

Hydrangea^p²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 118| BF| C| D

7/4

Dual Group 1 winner who couldn't have been more impressive when winning the fillies' race on Champions' Day here over 1m4f. Beaten favourite on return but this will have been the target and she will be hard to beat if back to her best.

Form: 34121-2

(4)

Promising Run^p⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: C Soumillon| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 107| D

25/1

Has won four Group 2 races in her time, three in Meydan and well suited to fast ground over this trip. Not disgraced in the Dubai Turf (Group 1) last time and she has each-way claims.

Form: 43-1145

(7)

Aljazzi^h⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: M Botti| OR: 112| D

9/2

Beaten at Sandown in a Group 2 on return but career best effort came in this race last year and she ought to come on for her most recent outing. Receives weight from two of her main rivals and not ruled out.

Form: 52197-3

(2)

Arabian Hope²⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 110| D

18/1

Won twice last year, a York Listed race and a Turkish Group 3 on her penultimate run. Has struggled when tried in Group 1 company but a return to fast ground will suit and she's not without an each-way chance if settling better than when last seen.

Form: 113010-

(10)

Billesdon Bess²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Hollie Doyle| T: R Hannon| OR: 101

80/1

Won a Listed race at Salisbury last year but well beaten in two starts this campaign and this doesn't look any easier. Has a lot to find on form.

Form: 2115-64

(9)

Lincoln Rocks¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 105| D

50/1

Won a valuable handicap last year and consistent throughout most of 2017. Has been running to a similar level this time and had excuses at Epsom when last seen. Probably better over 7f than this trip but she will give it a good go from the front.

Form: 195-325

(5)

Tomyris³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 107| D

16/1

Listed winner in 2017. Well beaten in Group 1 company but acquitted herself well when tried in Group 3 class. Likely to be more to come this year and got her campaign off to a flying start at Lingfield on return, getting the better of Lincoln Rocks.

Form: 16330-1

(1)

Tribute Act³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: A Kirby| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 94| D

10/1

Won two handicaps last year and the form of her second to re-opposing Urban Fox over C&D last time franked by the third and fourth. May struggle to reverse form with the winner though now 7lb worse off at the weights.

Form: 41102-2

(6)

Unforgetable Filly¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Josephine Gordon| T: H Palmer| OR: 105| D

20/1

Won the German 1,000 Guineas last year but beaten in a conditions race on return and it's hard to imagine her getting involved at this level. Others preferred at present.

Form: 61100-3

(3)

Urban Fox³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 102| CD

13/2

Highly tried last year and while she didn't get her head in front, she ran some creditable races in defeat. Changed hands for 425,000 gns in the off season and won a handicap over C&D on debut for this yard. Form franked since and should go well.

Form: 74844-1

(8)

Wilamina¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: M Meade| OR: 106| D

11/2

Has run her best races on quicker ground and suited by drying conditions when winning a Group 3 at Epsom last time. More to come this season but this is probably her minimum as far as the trip is concerned.

Form: 2035-21

Forecasts

Hydrangea (7/4), Aljazzi (9/2), Wilamina (11/2), Urban Fox (13/2), Tribute Act (10/1), Tomyris (16/1), Arabian Hope (18/1), Unforgetable Filly (20/1), Promising Run (25/1), Lincoln Rocks (50/1), Billesdon Bess (80/1)

It's hard to oppose HYDRANGEA on her three-year-old form and she was entitled to need the run at the Curragh on return. Aljazzi's best career effort came in this race last year and she holds each-way claims again. There's very little separating the rest of the field but Urban Fox won here last time and while this is a big step up in class, there may be more to come this season.