15:40 Royal Ascot

Wednesday 16 June 2021

All14:3015:0515:4016:2017:0017:3518:10

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

Off time: 15:44 | Winning time: 1m 39.92s

(8)

Champers Elysees²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Ben Coen| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 111| BF| D

10/1

Progressed rapidly last season, completing 4-timer in the Group 1 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown. Not at best both starts this season and needs to be back to her very best under a 5 lb penalty here.

Form: 1114-44

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(7)

Lady Bowthorpe³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: K Shoemark| T: W Jarvis| OR: 117| CD

7/2

Beat several of these when coming out on top in Dahlia at Newmarket on return before excellent second in Lockinge at Newbury, clear of rest. The one to beat on that form. Has 3 lb penalty.

Form: 4166-12

(2)

Queen Power³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: S De Sousa| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 113| BF

11/4

Proved better than ever when landing the Middleton (1¼m) at York last month and had previously pushed Lady Bowthorpe close over 1m1f in Dahlia. Respectable third in this last year. Has 3 lb penalty.

Form: 2343-21

(11)

Agincourt^t⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 108| D

22/1

Just denied in this last year and looked back to her best fitted with a tongue strap when headed on the line in listed race at Goodwood on return. Unlikely to be far away.

Form: 72500-2

(4)

Double Or Bubble⁶⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: C F Wall| OR: 101| C

7/1

Most progressive, winning 2 from 2 last season and completing hat-trick in handicap at Newmarket on return. Stamina to prove and more needed up in class, but remains unexposed so worth a shot at this.

Form: 2/11-1

(3)

Fooraat⁷²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 100| D

25/1

Highly tried after winning 2 novices on the AW but showed she's still progressing when second to Lavender's Blue in listed event at Kempton on return. May do better still after just 6 career starts.

Form: 1/1545-2

(12)

Indie Angel^p⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 103| BF| D

22/1

Developed into a useful filly last year, landing a 1m listed race at Lingfield. Better for return when good fourth to Lady Bowthorpe in Dahlia at Newmarket but bit to find with most of these.

Form: 1871-54

(1)

Lavender's Blue^p1⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 106| D

10/1

Strong-travelling mare who endured a luckless campaign last season but returned with a decisive success at Kempton and better than ever when third behind Lady Bowthorpe in the Dahlia. Headgear fitted.

Form: 3302-13

(5)

Onassis²⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Hayley Turner| T: C Fellowes| OR: 107| CD

16/1

Likeable filly who made a winning return in Sandringham over C&D at this meeting last season before winning 2 listed events. Far from disgraced in Champions Sprint here final start. Frame claims.

Form: 417416-

(10)

Parent's Prayer¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 108| D

10/1

Career-best effort when winning the Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom last week, finding plenty for pressure after kicking on early in the straight. Going the right way but this is much tougher.

Form: 131-241

(6)

Posted⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: R Hannon| OR: 108| D

33/1

Showed smart form when taking Sandown listed event last season, dictating steady pace. Unable to repeat that form under patient tactics both starts since, including in Dahlia at Newmarket on return.

Form: 52515-5

(9)

Valeria Messalina²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 109

22/1

Smart filly who was only just denied in a Group 3 (7f) at Glorious Goodwood last season. Excuses at the Curragh on return and may still have more to offer.

Form: 2/9126-6

Non-Runners

(13)

Bounce The Blues³⁹

Weight: 9-0| Age: 4

T: A M Balding J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Queen Power (11/4), Lady Bowthorpe (7/2), Double Or Bubble (7/1), Champers Elysees (10/1), Lavender's Blue (10/1), Parent's Prayer (10/1), Onassis (16/1), Bounce The Blues (16/1), Indie Angel (22/1), Valeria Messalina (22/1), Agincourt (22/1), Fooraat (25/1), Posted (33/1)

There was a lot to like about how LADY BOWTHORPE pulled clear of the remainder when runner-up to Palace Pier in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury last month and she can take advantage of this good opportunity back against her own sex. Queen Power and Lavender's Blue, the pair who chased her home at Newmarket the time before, should again give a good account.