15:35 Royal Ascot

Friday 19 June 2020

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:40

Commonwealth Cup (Group 1)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 1m 14.56s

(2)

Aberama Gold¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S A Gray| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 100| D

250/1

Likely to be outclassed here despite having some useful form to his name, took a 6f Listed race at York in October. That effort very much a standout one with two subsequent efforts at Group 3 level (one on return to action) leaving question marks.

Form: 41419-0

(3)

Dubai Station¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: B A Curtis| T: K R Burke| OR: 109| D

40/1

Didn't quite go on as expected at Group level as a 2yo towards the end of 2019 having got off the mark at Haydock (5f, good). Made up for those below-par effort when taking Group 3 AW contest on return (may have been a little fortunate); more needed.

Form: 13300-1

(10)

Golden Horde²⁶⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 114| D

5/1

Produced some smart 2yo efforts (Group 2 winner at Goodwood) having run well over C&D in the Coventry Stakes. Finished the season with a fine second in the Middle Park, well up to this level, should handle the ground on his return to action.

Form: 415132-

(1)

Lope Y Fernandez⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 109| D

10/3

Dual winner last year once at Group 3 level (6f, good), placed in the Chesham over 7f here, no match for Pinatubo in Vintage Stakes. Below-par sixth in Middle Park (behind Golden Horde), fine third in Irish 2000 Guineas, 7f looks to be ideal trip.

Form: 12316-3

(4)

Mums Tipple¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 113| CD

18/1

Very smart 2yo; C&D winner on debut before pulverising a big field at York (6f, good/firm) in valuable sales race. Below-par in the Middle Park, failed to stay in 2000 Guineas (ridden to get trip), better back at 6f although ground would be a doubt.

Form: 117-0

(6)

Pierre Lapin²⁷²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 110| D

7/2

Has the pedigree to be a top-class sprinter; unbeaten in two juvenile contests taking the Group 2 Mill Reef with something to spare (travelled strongly). Given plenty of time to develop, sure to make a useful 3yo, not run on ground this soft though.

Form: 11-

(17)

Pistoletto^b¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 103

80/1

Early 2yo, took his first two starts (5f) before struggling to make an impact stepped into Group company. Finally made an impression in a Group 3 over 5f at Newmarket (finished second); creditable third (first-time blinkers) at Naas (5.5f) on return.

Form: 66642-3

(13)

Royal Commando²⁵¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: K Shoemark| T: C Hills| OR: 102

250/1

Confirmed his debut promise when taking a quick ground 6.5f maiden at Doncaster (beat three rivals). Found life rather tougher after that when stepped up through the levels including a Group 1 on soft ground, hard to recommend on the evidence.

Form: 41848-

(16)

Royal Crusade²⁵⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 110

12/1

Looked potentially top-class when winning his juvenile debut at Newmarket (7f, good/firm). Quickly raised in class finishing second in two Group events over the same trip (one on soft). Still has potential, interesting contender on return back to 6f.

Form: 122-

(5)

Royal Lytham^b⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: P Cosgrave| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110| D

25/1

Dual winner as a 2yo; put up a pleasing performance to win Group 2 July Stakes (6f), acquitted himself well in two other juvenile Group outings. First-time blinkers worn in Irish 2000 Guineas on return (decent effort), 6f looks on sharp side now.

Form: 1713-8

(15)

Southern Hills³⁶⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S De Sousa| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 101| C

40/1

Broke his maiden at Royal Ascot last year (Windsor Castle Stakes, 5f, soft) when he had events in his favour. Still a good performance though, not seen after that he's in good hands, first try at 6f since debut, handles ground/track, interesting sort

Form: 521-

(14)

Ventura Rebel¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 105| C

50/1

Won his first two juvenile starts over 5f before being set a stiffer task, improving further with a second in the 5f Norfolk Stakes here. Failed to justify a short-price in Super Sprint at Newbury. Group 3 AW return needed, stable quiet currently.

Form: 1124-6

(11)

Kimari⁷⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: L Dettori| T: Wesley Ward| OR: 109| D

5/1

Narrowly beaten here last year over 5f in the Queen Mary (showed real speed); US raider returns in an attempt to gain a course win over 6f. Gained her fourth win on return run coping well with sloppy track and first try at 6f, fascinating contender.

Form: 12114-1

(7)

Les Hogues¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: S W Kelly| T: George Baker| OR: 100| D

150/1

Showed some good form in France last year when with Jean-Claude Rouget (won at Listed level). Given a tough task on her GB/stable debut, beat one home when 66-1 for 1000 Guineas; ought to enjoy a return to 6f, still faces a stiff task here.

Form: 12142-0

(8)

Millisle¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Tom Marquand| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 115| D

8/1

Progress from race-to-race last year culminating in a win at Newmarket, Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes (6f). Failed to fire on return in the 1000 Guineas going from hero to zero very quickly (first try at 1m); returns quickly back to a sprint trip.

Form: 12121-7

(9)

Shadn²³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 106| D

33/1

Useful filly who took her form to a new level when landing a Group 2 in France beating the boys having won twice before as a 2yo. Failed to show upped in trip in Breeders' Cup sojourn; bit to find, worth her place in the field for an in-form duo.

Form: 013319-

Non-Runners

(12)

Wooded³⁷

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: F Graffard J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Lope Y Fernandez (10/3), Pierre Lapin (7/2), Golden Horde (5/1), Kimari (5/1), Wooded (13/2), Millisle (8/1), Royal Crusade (12/1), Mums Tipple (18/1), Royal Lytham (25/1), Shadn (33/1), Southern Hills (40/1), Dubai Station (40/1), Ventura Rebel (50/1), Pistoletto (80/1), Les Hogues (150/1), Royal Commando (250/1), Aberama Gold (250/1)

An intriguing contest on so many levels with four Aidan O’Brien runners to weigh up plus an American challenger. The O’Brien quartet all have something to recommend them, Lope Y Fernadez being the obvious first choice but don’t rule out Southern Hills who won here last year over 5f. GOLDEN HORDE mixed it with some top 2yo sprinters last year and he has further progress in him as does the unbeaten Pierre Lapin although the ground is a small doubt, his yard are in excellent form. The Wesley Ward-trained Kimari (second at the meeting last year over 5f) and Royal Crusade add further interest in a very competitive contest, with the back in trip Mums Tipple another to add to the thought process.