2.30 6f Group 3 Fillies Albany – Galadriel 11/1

Very highly tried on debut in a good looking York Listed race with the form working out well, she was the only one in the race without experience, she took a big bump coming out the stalls which left her detached from the pace and around 15 lengths off the front of the pack, she ran green in the early stages which is no surprise for her experience and was still a detached last past the 2 furlong pole, but when the penny dropped coming up to the final furlong she came with a huge run to take most of the field to get to within 5 lengths of the winner Good Vibes which looked pretty spectacular to say the least, from that evidence this step up to 6f will be a big plus and with a better start and running anything like last time she’ll be a big player in this unexposed field.

3.05 1m4f Group 2 King Edward VII – Pondus 9/2

No doubt Japan is the one to beat with his close 3rd in the Derby but just 20 days after that gruelling race maybe this is a bit to soon and at the odds I believe it’s better looking elsewhere. Pondus is certainly the least exposed in the field and time will tell if he can take this step up but visually he looked sensational LTO in a novice at Sandown carrying a 7lb penalty, he was pushed along early to get the lead and set up a fast early gallop that alone would of found out a lot of front runners but not only maintained the quick gallop but pulled away when in the straight with just the one crack of the whip recording a very good time and had the field well strung out with the 2nd 5 lengths back and the rest even further behind, there’s a couple of winners from the race already to boost the form, on that evidence this 1m4f will be a plus along with evidence from the breeding and he didn’t have a tough race so should be in good shape.

3.40 6f Group 1 Commonwealth Cup – Hello Youmzain 8/1

Ten Sovereigns is interesting back down to sprinting and ran with a lot of respect in the Guineas, he was only half a length away from Skardu who lead the centre group which was clearly the wrong place to be on the day, so that effort needs marking up and now back down to 6f he could be a possible superstar, however I’m not convinced he’ll enjoy today’s ground and at the odds he’s another I couldn’t back with all too much confidence. Hello Youmzain won a strong Group 2 at France last year, he done plenty wrong but still won by a big margin looking at home on soft ground, his seasonal debut wasn’t so hot, but was over 7f and was clearly in need of the run but quickly put that behind him when demolishing a hot field at Haydock back down to 6f and on fast ground not really looking all that comfortable, a run like that makes him a hot contender alone but back on a softer surface he’s even more dangerous.

4.20 1m Group 1 Fillies Coronation – Castle Lady 15/2

Hermosa is another the one to beat but again looks more at home on fast ground and has had a couple of tough races in quick succession and may be a bit vulnerable on softer ground without a good break. Castle Lady made her debut as a 3yo and has already clocked 3 wins, the latest when supplemented for the French Guineas on heavy ground, she was still green and keen but done enough to have her head in front on the line and looked to have plenty more to come and will love today’s conditions.

5.00 1m Class 2 Fillies Sandringham Handicap – I’m Available 16/1

Another who started her career as a 3yo which is always a plus in handicaps like this as they progress more rapidly, she impressed at Kempton to break her duck on her 3rd start and was given a very low mark of 74 which she capitalised on her penultimate race when smashing Kings Girl by 8 lengths who boosted the form when winning her next race, from there she ran over this C&D under a 6lb penalty and looked to of bagged another winner but was caught and out battled late on by the colt Aweedram, back against her own sex here will be a big plus and with all the speed drawn down the centre it looks the place to be and she’ll be involved in it which has been a big plus this year at Ascot.

5.35 1m4f Class 2 Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap – Fujaira Prince 6/1

5yo with just 5 runs to his name, so is very unexposed and even more so over this trip with just the one previous try in a hot York Handicap, where he just missed out by a neck, he travelled very well and looked the most likely winner but just out battled, they pulled away from the field and the 5th Caliburn and the 7th Red Galileo both winning strong handicaps since boosting the form.

Russell Blair Racing