2.25pm - Group 2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes
This is another competitive two-year-old contest at the July meeting, and a black-type win looks on the cards before too long for Mountain Breeze, but I just can't see past Heavens Gate for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore.
She has done very well with her three starts already this season, coming second on debut at Navan behind Unexpected Issues, before going on to put that experience to good use when dotting up by more than two lengths in front of stablemate January, who has since gone on to win next time out and place 3rd in a Group 2 at The Curragh.
Heavens Gate then came 3rd in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, where she was a shade unlucky not to go on and win the contest. She was essentially left in the lead with two furlongs to go, and although she stayed on well in the closing stages she was no match for the very fast finishing Fairy Godmother, who does look to be a real superstar for the Ballydoyle team.
That was a good run by Heavens Gate, and despite the race not really sitting in her favour, she still ran very well to claim 3rd spot in a Royal Ascot Group 3. I think the Aidan O'Brien horse is by far the one to beat here, and probably looks a little bigger in the market than she should be at this stage.
- Selection - Heavens Gate (11/4 Win)
3.35pm - Group 1 Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes
This appears to be a cracking renewal of the Falmouth Stakes, where we get to see two Royal Ascot winners do battle in the form of Porta Fortuna, who landed the Coronation Stakes, and Running Lion who won the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes in very decent fashion.
Porta Fortuna is the obvious class act in this field, and she is the one they all have to beat, but I am siding with the Gosdens’ Running Lion, who was impressive when winning at the royal meeting last time out.
They switched the tactics up with her that day as it seems she can be quite tricky to ride, and Oisin Murphy rode her to perfection in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes last time, when she broke well and led all the way around, before powering clear down the Ascot straight to win virtually unchallenged by a couple of lengths.
There is a slight element of risk backing her here, given the fact she can be a little monkey when running, and she was beaten in two races she probably should have won earlier on in the season, but this change of tactics clearly suits her, so we can expect more of the same come Friday. She will look for an easy lead like last time, and given the fact there are just seven runners heading to post for this contest, that will more than suit this filly.
The Gosdens have a very good record in this race, landing the contest on four separate occasions previously, which includes Nashwa last season, so they clearly know what it takes to land this race. The Gosden horses are actually starting to hit a nice bit of form now, with Queen Of The Pride landing the Lancashire Oaks over the weekend, while Oisin Murphy is riding like a man possessed at the moment also.
The set up of this race should more than suit Running Lion here, so she is the one I will be siding with here given the fact she might get another easy lead.
- Selection - Running Lion (3/1 Win)
4.10pm - Weatherby's British EBF Maiden Stakes
Here we have a decent maiden contest with some very well-bred and expensive horses looking to either put their previous experience to good use or make it the perfect winning start for connections. Field Of Gold ran very well to claim third spot at Doncaster last time, only just beaten by a little under three lengths, so that experience should put him in good stead on Friday.
However, it is another Aidan O'Brien horse that I will be siding with here in this contest, and that is Mount Kilimanjaro, who already has a run under his belt. This really well-bred colt of Siyouni could only finish fifth on debut at Leopardstown, and although he was fairly well beaten by around five lengths and weakening in the closing stages, it was clear he needed the run and will more than come on for it here.
That run was eight weeks ago, so he has been given a little time to take that run on the chin and strengthen and learn from it, and given the fact Aidan has decided to run him over here rather than try and win one of the many maiden/novice contests in Ireland, that speaks volumes to me as they seemingly think he is good enough to land this contest.
- Selection - Mount Kilimanjaro (11/4)
All prices are from Planet Sport Bet and are subject to change
All previews and tips provided by @ Jake Russell