16:20 Royal Ascot

Saturday 23 June 2018

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

Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 16:27 | Winning time: 1m 12.09s

(1)

Bound For Nowhere⁷⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Joel Rosario| T: Wesley Ward| OR: 116| D

16/1

Won both his races this season, most recently in a Grade 2 at Keeneland. Hard to imagine him improving on his fourth in this race last year but yard's runners always respected at this meeting.

Form: 1140-11

(8)

City Light⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: C Soumillon| T: S Wattel| OR: 114| D

12/1

In the form of his life, following up a win in a valuable contest on AW at Lingfield with a Group 3 success at Longchamp last time out. He would still need a huge chunk of improvement to get involved here though on his first try at elite level.

Form: 102-111

(4)

D'bai^b,t¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 112| C

20/1

Very impressive when staying on gamely to win at Haydock last time out over 7f and a stiff 6f here ought to suit him even better judged on his form at Meydan this winter. Still on the up at present and not without an each-way squeak.

Form: 5-14521

(5)

Harry Angel³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 125| BF| D

5/2

Won back-to-back Group 1 races in 2017 and returned with a fine win in a York Group 2 last time. There's a slight concern he's yet to win in four starts at this course and he can be a bit quirky so he may be worth opposing in his toughest test yet.

Form: 12114-1

(6)

Intelligence Cross^b,t²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 109| D

66/1

Won a minor race at Naas last year but tends to struggle up at this level. Likely to be in here to ensure a strong gallop for his stablemate and others preferred.

Form: 50610-7

(3)

Librisa Breeze⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: R Winston| T: D K Ivory| OR: 119| CD

10/1

Very useful performer when he gets his conditions, as seen when landing the C&D Group 1 on Champions' Day with a couple of these in behind. However, he's passed over with no forecast of rain around and he's not had a prep for this race.

Form: 6/4921-9

(11)

Merchant Navy^b,t²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117| D

4/1

Easy in the market when winning a Group 2 in impressive fashion at the Curragh last time. Likely to come on plenty for that and won an Australian Group 1 last year but has work on to turn around the form with Redkirk Warrior from two starts back.

Form: 101-331

(7)

Projection³³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: K Shoemark| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 110| D

25/1

Has run some fair races in Group 3 class and not beaten far by The Tin Man and D'bai last time out but that was the former's prep run for this and there's every chance he will struggle to match those rivals this time.

Form: 6302-33

(2)

Redkirk Warrior^b1,t¹⁰⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: L Dettori| T: David & B Dabernig| OR: 121| C| D

4/1

Three-time Group 1 winner in Australia, gaining his third Group 1 at Flemington last time and giving weight and a beating to Merchant Navy. 6f on fast ground is his optimum trip and can't be underestimated with an in-form Dettori taking the ride.

Form: 5100-11

(12)

Sir Dancealot¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: S M Levey| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 111| D

33/1

Won a Class 2 at Hamilton last time but he was well beaten by Harry Angel two starts back with the benefit of a run under his belt and has plenty of improvement to find in a deeper contest here.

Form: 215-231

(9)

Spirit of Valor^b,t²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 112| D

20/1

Won a Group 2 last year. Runner-up behind Merchant Navy last time out but that rival likely to have needed the run and he's going to struggle to reverse that form here in a much deeper race.

Form: 2104-82

(10)

The Tin Man³³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: T P Queally| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 116| CD

5/1

Loves this course and gained a second Group 1 C&D success in this race last year. Had a couple of these in behind in a Listed race at Windsor last time but he's in a tougher renewal this time around and others look more likely.

Form: 51835-1

Forecasts

Harry Angel (5/2), Merchant Navy (4/1), Redkirk Warrior (4/1), The Tin Man (5/1), Librisa Breeze (10/1), City Light (12/1), Bound For Nowhere (16/1), D'bai (20/1), Spirit of Valor (20/1), Projection (25/1), Sir Dancealot (33/1), Intelligence Cross (66/1)

Australian sprint form is some of the strongest around and it's REDKIRK WARRIOR who gets the vote here after getting better of Merchant Navy when they last met at Flemington; he's expected to confirm that form off level weights this time around. Harry Angel isn't without a chance but he will have to be on his A-game here against his international rivals and it's a concern he's yet to win at Ascot. The Tin Man is worth a mention after his win in the race last year but he may struggle in what looks like a deeper contest this time around.