16:20 Royal Ascot

Wednesday 19 June 2019

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

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

Off time: 16:22 | Winning time: 1m 42.63s

(2)

I Can Fly²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110| BF| D

7/2

Won twice last year including a Group 2 at Leopardstown and ran a huge race when narrowly denied over C&D by Roaring Lion on Champions' Day. Not quite at that level this year and forced to concede weight all round but an obvious player on best form.

Form: 20-1062

(14)

Agrotera⁶⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: G Mosse| T: E Walker| OR: 102| CD

8/1

C&D winner in a valuable handicap last year and went on to place in Listed company. Won well on Kempton return in Listed class in April when beating Preening but has something to find at this level.

Form: 11425-1

(4)

Anna Nerium¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 107

14/1

Landed a third Group 3 at Epsom last time out when the beneficiary of a fine ride from this jockey. While she has a bit more on her plate here, it's not the strongest race for the grade and any softening of conditions would help.

Form: 166-821

(15)

Bella Ragazza¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: David Probert| T: H Morrison| OR: 97| BF| D

50/1

Progressive filly last year but well held by Anna Nerium on her latest run in a Group 3 at Epsom and has plenty to find up in class.

Form: 2171-54

(16)

Dan's Dream¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Ronan Whelan| T: M R Channon| OR: 104

33/1

Ahead of her rivals at the start of last season when landing a Group 3 at Newbury and while she's ran well in defeat in two starts in Ireland this year, she's not always seemed best suited at this trip in the past. More needed.

Form: 6274-22

(5)

Di Fede²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 103| C

20/1

Has run some of her better races here and won a Listed race in good style over 7f in October at this venue. Looked rusty on return at Chester but should be sharper and has run well at this trip before.

Form: 42851-0

(10)

Hand On Heart¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Chris Hayes| T: J A Stack| OR: 99| D

28/1

Won her first two career starts and while she's hasn't won in five starts since, she's shaped with promise on each of her runs this season. Must do more to mix it with some of these now up in class but any rain would be in her favour.

Form: 107-242

(17)

Indian Blessing¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: J P Spencer| T: E Walker| OR: 105| D

33/1

Gained a second Listed win at Musselburgh (7f, good to soft) last time out. Step back up in trip will suit and could still have more to give this season. Lively outsider with Spencer up.

Form: 3333-81

(11)

Move Swiftly²³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: W J Haggas| OR: 104| BF| D

9/1

Won three of her first four starts and yet to finish out of the first three, last seen finishing runner-up in a Listed race at Lingfield (AW) in November. More progress likely and worth a crack at this level; yard in form.

Form: 311222-

(8)

Nyaleti¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 107| C| D

33/1

Hasn't won since landing a Listed race over a year ago at Goodwood. Runner-up in a below par Group 2 at Newmarket on return but well beaten twice subsequently, shaping as if amiss behind Anna Nerium at Epsom last time; others preferred.

Form: 532-248

(7)

Preening⁶⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Kerrin McEvoy| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 99| D

20/1

Career best when finishing runner-up to Agrotera in a Listed race at Kempton last time. Will need more against these rivals but relatively unexposed compared to many of these. Unproven on ground worse than good.

Form: 21335-2

(1)

Pretty Baby³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 106

7/1

Yet to finish outside the first two in seven starts and has five wins to her name. Proved soft ground is no issue when winning a Group 3 at Lingfield last time and always seems to pull out a bit more when required. Fascinating contender up in trip.

Form: 1/1121-1

(3)

Rawdaa³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 109| D

4/1

Lightly raced filly who finished in behind Preening and Agrotera on reappearance at Kempton but took her form to a new level when only narrowly denied by a smart sort at York. Further progress possible and hard to keep out of the first three.

Form: 1221-32

(6)

Red Tea²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: D O'Brien| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 107| D

14/1

Fair handicapper for her previous yard but seemingly improving for new connections, bolting up in a competitive handicap before a respectable third in a Group 2 at the Curragh last time (I Can Fly second). Live player if she progresses further.

Form: 106-413

(9)

Shenanigans²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 96| D

33/1

Fourth behind some of these at Kempton on her return and managed to land a weak Listed race at Ayr when last seen. Hasn't looked up to this level before though and more needed here.

Form: 6852-41

(13)

Threading²⁶⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: S De Sousa| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 104| D

28/1

Won a Listed race at York last year and perhaps a little flattered when runner-up to Alpha Centauri in the Coronation Stakes at this meeting last year judged on her subsequent performances. Seasonal return and others preferred.

Form: 266543-

(12)

Veracious^t¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 108| BF| D

8/1

Third in the Coronation Stakes last year and a Group 3 winner at Sandown later that term but she's been a beaten favourite on two starts this year. Has work to do to turn around form with Anna Nerium, despite arriving 3lb better off at the weights.

Form: 3316-43

Forecasts

I Can Fly (7/2), Rawdaa (4/1), Pretty Baby (7/1), Veracious (8/1), Agrotera (8/1), Move Swiftly (9/1), Anna Nerium (14/1), Red Tea (14/1), Di Fede (20/1), Preening (20/1), Threading (28/1), Hand On Heart (28/1), Nyaleti (33/1), Shenanigans (33/1), Indian Blessing (33/1), Dan's Dream (33/1), Bella Ragazza (50/1)

Trainer William Haggas has been running at a good strike-rate in recent weeks and even horses not winning seem to be running well in defeat, as seen on Tuesday with One Master. With that in mind, his runner PRETTY BABY could be the one to side with after her Group 3 win at Lingfield when last seen and she gives the impression there's still more to come. Stablemate Move Swiftly is another interesting contender with more progress on the cards while I Can Fly is a player on best form. However, the chief threat to the selection would seem to be Sir Michael Stoute's Rawdaa on the bare form of her second at York last time out behind Lah Ti Dar.