15:40 Royal Ascot

Wednesday 21 June 2023

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

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

Off time: 15:42 | Winning time: 1m 41.33s

(6)

Grande Dame²⁶³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Spencer| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 108| CD

10/3

Late-maturing sort won listed race at Sandown last summer before ending the campaign with a fine third in the Sun Chariot at Newmarket. Still fairly low-mileage and it would be no surprise if she does better again at 4 yrs.

Form: 120123-

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(4)

Honey Girl²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 106| BF

7/1

Useful maiden for Henry de Bromhead last season and has found some improvement since joining Joseph O'Brien, supplementing her 7f Curragh maiden win with a Group 3 victory over that C&D in May. Bit disappointing in Lanwades Stud Stakes there last time and others make slightly more appeal overall.

Form: 265-115

(1)

Internationalangel¹⁰⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 100

33/1

Newcastle maiden winner last season before filling the runner-up position in Group 3s at Goodwood and Deauville. Not quite at her best in Dubai over the winter and she'd need a career best to score in this company.

Form: 243-863

(2)

Jumbly²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 105| CD

10/3

Won Valiant Stakes on the round course here on her final start for Harry & Roger Charlton, and having changed hands for 1,250,000 gns, returned from a 10-month absence with a really encouraging second in the Lanwades Stud Stakes at the Curragh (8f, good, 9/2) 24 days ago. Top of the shortlist.

Form: 1/2861-2

(9)

Lightship⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: K P De Foy| OR: 100| D

100/1

Progressed well on AW early this year, winning 2 1m handicaps at Kempton before a much-improved second in listed race in April. Seemed unsuited by heavy ground returned to turf at Goodwood last time but this looks a difficult ask even if under more suitable conditions.

Form: 4-41125

(3)

Potapova¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 107| BF| D

16/1

Won Group 3 Atalanta Stakes at Goodwood last August. Found to have irregular heartbeat when pulled up on reappearance and wasn't quite at her best when 2¾ lengths fifth of 6 to Prosperous Voyage in Princess Elizabeth Stakes (9/2) at Epsom (8.5f, good to firm) 18 days ago, so others make more appeal.

Form: 7714-P5

(5)

Prosperous Voyage¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: L Dettori| T: R M Beckett| OR: 112| D

10/3

Narrow second in 1000 Guineas last term and got back on the up when landing the Falmouth in July. Better than the margin indicates when winning the Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom (8.5f, good to firm) 18 days ago by ¾ length from Random Harvest. Leading player.

Form: 0164-51

(10)

Queen Aminatu³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 107| BF| D

14/1

Listed winner at Lingfield and Deauville last year before completing hat-trick with 7f Newcastle success in April. Probably found test of speed against her when third in Chartwell Stakes last time and holds place claims with circumstances here likely to be more favourable.

Form: 211-173

(8)

Random Harvest¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Saffie Osborne| T: E Walker| OR: 105| CD

22/1

Progressive last season, culminating in Group 3 victory at Milan (8f, soft). Even better form when ¾-length second of 6 to Prosperous Voyage in Princess Elizabeth Stakes (22/1) at Epsom (8.5f, good to firm) 18 days ago, but another step forward needed to turn the tables with that rival.

Form: 2941-72

(7)

Rogue Millennium³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: D Tudhope| T: Tom Clover| OR: 109

10/1

Listed winner last season and has improved further this term, third in a Longchamp Group 3 before finishing a close second to Free Wind in the Middleton Stakes at York (10.2f, firm) 34 days ago. Unraced over this shorter trip, though.

Form: 270-232

Forecasts

Prosperous Voyage (10/3), Jumbly (10/3), Grande Dame (10/3), Honey Girl (7/1), Rogue Millennium (10/1), Queen Aminatu (14/1), Potapova (16/1), Random Harvest (22/1), Internationalangel (33/1), Lightship (100/1)

JUMBLY is very much bred to progress with age, and having won in Group company on the round course here last term, she's taken to build on a highly encouraging return at the Curragh and come out on top. Prosperous Voyage was back to winning ways at Epsom last time and sets a very high standard on the form of last season's Falmouth win, whilst Grande Dame appeals as another who can have a productive season and is given plenty of respect on her return.