The penultimate afternoon of Royal Ascot serves up another outstanding card headed by two Group 1 contests, with the Coronation Stakes providing one of the most eagerly anticipated rematches of the meeting.
The Ballydoyle pair Precise and True Love renew their rivalry after sharing the spoils in the spring Classics. True Love struck first with victory in the 1,000 Guineas before Precise emphatically levelled the score in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh, setting up a fascinating decider at Ascot.
Elsewhere on the card, last year’s Royal Ascot winner Venetian Sun bids to add another top-level success in the Commonwealth Cup, while several fiercely competitive handicaps offer punters no shortage of value.
Royal Ascot Day Four Tips
- 2:30 – Sun Goddess 6/4
- 3:05 – Venetian Sun 6/4
- 3:40 – Mondo Man 9/1 (e/w)
- 4:20 – Precise 4/6
- 5:00 – Symbol Of Majesty 11/1 (e/w)
- 5:35 – Water To Wine 5/4
- 6:10 – Calico Blue 16/1 (e/w)
*Odds subject to change.
Royal Ascot 2:30 – Group 3 Albany Stakes (6f)
The Albany often throws up a future top-class juvenile, and SUN GODDESS has all the hallmarks of a filly capable of reaching the highest level.
After shaping with abundant promise on debut at Naas, she left no doubt about her ability when routing the opposition at the Curragh, displaying a potent turn of foot that marked her down as a genuine Group 1 prospect. The daughter of the Sioux Nation is open to considerable improvement and looks capable of extending her upward trajectory.
Jolivette and Light Of Daen both created favourable impressions when making winning starts and could emerge as the principal dangers, but neither has yet produced the level of performance shown by the selection.
- Selection: Sun Goddess 6/4
- Danger: Jolivette 11/1
Royal Ascot 3:05 – Group 1 Commonwealth Cup (6f)
The Commonwealth Cup presents another opportunity for VENETIAN SUN to advertise his credentials as one of the leading sprinting three-year-olds in training.
Much of the pre-season attention centred on Aidan O’Brien’s Albert Einstein, but the colt has yet to justify the lofty expectations after three defeats as favourite. Stablemate Charles Darwin has stronger sprinting credentials and is respected, particularly if forgiven a disappointing latest effort.
However, Venetian Sun arrives with the most convincing profile. His experiment over a mile in the 2,000 Guineas failed to bear fruit, but reverting to sprinting transformed him as he comfortably landed the Sandy Lane Stakes. Already a Royal Ascot winner at two, the Karl Burke-trained colt looks ideally suited by a return to this stage and can add another Group 1 to his record.
For those seeking value, Havana Anna, Coppull and Havana Hurricane are capable of outrunning their odds.
- Selection: Venetian Sun 6/4
- Danger: Havana Anna 14/1
Royal Ascot 3:40 – Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (1m4f)
As is often the case, the Duke of Edinburgh looks a puzzle packed with progressive handicappers.
Royal hopes rest with Warrant Holder, whose York comeback success suggested a 5lb rise may underestimate his ability. James McDonald partners the similarly progressive Opportunity, while Joseph O’Brien’s Emit has the profile of one who could improve significantly now with handicap experience under his belt.
The most intriguing contender, though, is MONDO MAN. Formerly useful on the Flat in France, he has shown flashes of considerable ability over hurdles without quite delivering on his potential due to jumping frailties. A return to the Flat for his handicap debut could prove the catalyst for a resurgence, and a strongly run race should enable him to settle before delivering a late challenge.
If reproducing his best form, he looks attractively priced.
- Selection: Mondo Man 9/1 (e/w)
- Danger: Warrant Holder 9/2
Royal Ascot 4:20 – Group 1 Coronation Stakes (1m)
The feature contest revolves around the rematch between PRECISE and True Love, whose rivalry has already produced two memorable Classic performances.
True Love gained the upper hand in the 1,000 Guineas, but Precise emphatically reversed the form in the Irish equivalent just three weeks later, travelling with authority before drawing clear in the closing stages.
That latest display hinted there could be even more improvement to come from the daughter of Starspangledbanner, and she now appears to be developing into the stronger of the pair. Her record already includes three Group 1 victories, and another success would cement her position among the leading fillies of her generation.
Should the principals underperform, Balantina, making her seasonal return after Breeders’ Cup success, is capable of capitalising.
- Selection: Precise 4/6
- Danger: True Love 3/1
Royal Ascot 5:00 – Sandringham Stakes (1m)
The Sandringham is another ultra-competitive handicap where lightly raced fillies dominate the betting.
Both Seet and Glyfada seek hat-tricks and possess profiles that suggest further improvement, but preference is for SYMBOL OF MAJESTY, whose latest defeat is easy enough to forgive.
She had impressed in winning her first two starts despite displaying signs of immaturity before meeting trouble in running and failing to enjoy the smoothest passage at Wolverhampton. That effort may not reflect her true ability, and this large-field scenario could suit her strong-travelling style far better.
Quite Mutiny, Rosa Inglesa and Repel are others with compelling each-way credentials.
- Selection: Symbol Of Majesty 11/1 (e/w)
- Danger: Glyfada 10/1 (e/w)
Royal Ascot 5:35 – Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes (1m4f)
The King Edward VII Stakes often identifies an emerging middle-distance star, and this year’s renewal features two particularly exciting prospects.
Causeway has scarcely put a foot wrong since his debut defeat and arrives after adding Group 3 honours at the Curragh. The step up to a mile and a half promises to suit and makes him a formidable opponent.
Even so, the vote goes narrowly to WATER TO WINE. The son of Kingman has looked a colt of significant potential in both career starts, most recently quickening clear like a horse destined for the top at Kempton. The move up in trip should unlock further improvement, and there is every chance his ceiling remains well above his current level.
Venetian Prince appeals as the one most likely to fill a place.
- Selection: Water To Wine 5/4
- Danger: Causeway 2/1
Royal Ascot 6:10 – Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes (5f)
The closing handicap is typically wide open, with luck in running often proving as important as ability over Ascot’s stiff five furlongs.
Gold Digger commands respect after winning twice from three starts and making a successful seasonal return, while her juvenile Albany form suggests she possesses the class to remain competitive in stronger company.
At bigger odds, however, CALICO BLUE makes considerable appeal. The son of Calyx developed into a useful juvenile and shaped encouragingly when chasing home Black Star Boy over five furlongs at Sandown on his reappearance. That was his first attempt at the minimum trip, and the demanding Ascot finish should play to his strengths by allowing his stamina to come into effect in the closing stages.
The likes of May Angel, Dickensian, Jazal and American challenger Bacio also warrant consideration in an open renewal.
- Selection: Calico Blue 16/1 (e/w)
- Danger: Gold Digger 7/1
