16:20 Royal Ascot

Wednesday 15 June 2022

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

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

Off time: 16:23 | Winning time: 1m 39.99s

(5)

Saffron Beach⁸¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: W Buick| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 115| D

5/2

Runner-up in 1000 Guineas at Newmarket last May and enjoyed her finest hour back on the Rowley Mile in October, winning the Sun Chariot by 3 lengths from Mother Earth. Not discredited in Meydan earlier this year, and should be primed for a big run.

Form: 28011-4

(8)

Bashkirova¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 106| D

5/2

Came a long way in a short space of time at 3 yrs, winning her first 3 starts, and resumed progress when comfortably landing the Princess Elizabeth Stakes at the Derby meeting, Type to do better still.

Form: 1117-21

(2)

Kennella³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: M Barzalona| T: N Caullery| OR: 106

50/1

Smart performer when on her game, but has a bit to find and her reappearance in a listed event at Longchamp was a touch underwhelming.

Form: 3/5324-5

(6)

Mother Earth^p1³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 111| D

10/3

Last year's 1000 Guineas winner who resumed with comfortable victory in Park Express Stakes at the Curragh. Folded tamely in the Lockinge at Newbury last time but, given her overall profile, she's likely to bounce back.

Form: 2504-17

(3)

Novemba²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Sibylle Vogt| T: P Schiergen| OR: 113| D

20/1

German Guineas winner last season and, while she failed to fire at Baden-Baden last time, she might have needed the run, and she's dangerous if allowed her own way in front.

Form: 14053-5

(1)

Primo Bacio⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: E Walker| OR: 108| BF| D

14/1

Smart filly at her best but she ended last term with modest ninth in Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket and disappointed when last of 6 in a listed event at Goodwood on return. Has a bit to prove.

Form: 15789-6

(4)

Thunder Beauty^t²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 97

40/1

Useful filly who wasn't discredited when fourth of 7 to Pearls Galore in Lanwades Stud Stakes at The Curragh last time. Likely to be outclassed in this, though.

Form: 6804-34

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 15p in the pound

Non-Runners

(7)

Sibila Spain³⁸

Weight: 9-5| Age: 4

T: C H Head J: Aurelien Lemaitre

Forecasts

Saffron Beach (5/2), Bashkirova (5/2), Mother Earth (10/3), Sibila Spain (11/2), Primo Bacio (14/1), Novemba (20/1), Thunder Beauty (40/1), Kennella (50/1)

A tightly-knit affair that could go the way of the improving BASHKIROVA provided she's not undone by a relatively quick turnaround. She was impressive at Epsom last time and could take another step forward to get the better of Saffron Beach and Mother Earth. French-raider Sibila Spain also arrives on the up and warrants respect.