I’m not going to lay one in the Albany as there is no strong angle, although I fancy the far side will be favoured as a result of Stillwater Cove being drawn next to Fairyland. Wes Ward’s filly just held on over 4.5f on debut, and the trainer’s record over 6f at Royal Ascot is poor compared to his excellent figures at the minimum trip.
That’s factored into her price, but she should still have a big say in the outcome, and if she is able to drag Fairyland to the furlong pole, the Aidan O’Brien’s filly would appeal as the likeliest winner, for all Ryan Moore rides stablemate Just Wonderful.
Recommended: Back Fairyland @ 4.8 or bigger
Old Persian ran well when second to Key Victory in the Newmarket Stakes at the Guineas meeting, and all his best runs have now come at Newmarket, with an odds-on victory in a small field last time. He should progress again, but Key Victory didn’t really advertise the form when unplaced in the Hampton Court Stakes yesterday, and quotes of around 6.0 look too skinny against proven pattern performers here. He certainly has plenty to find on the clock, and has more to prove than his price suggests.
Recommended: Lay Old Persian @ 6.4 or shorter
Equilateral has looked something out of the ordinary when winning two of his three starts to date, but those have come against inferior opposition, and he is untested in pattern company, while he bombed out badly on his second start at York.
He is held in the highest regard by Charlie Hills, but I don’t think a draw in stall two will do him any favours with his market rivals drawn fairly close together on the stands side, which could see him isolated. The other concern is that the Hills yard is now 1-56 in June, and just 5-136 at Ascot in recent seasons.
Recommended: Lay Equilateral for a place @ 2.4 or shorter
Of those at single-figure prices, I think Teppal is the weakest, as her win in the French Guineas came in a controversial race where the contest was moved to the Grande Piste and that saw those drawn wide at a disadvantage. Teppal just held on having been very well placed in what was a bunch finish. Wind Chimes, who looked unlucky not to win, was beaten in a Group 3 last weekend, and the pair to have won since failed to give their running at Longchamp, adding to the notion that the form is pretty weak.
Teppal is far from certain to be suited by a stiff mile on pedigree and will need to improve a fair bit to maintain her unbeaten record.
Recommended: Lay Teppal for a place @ 2.9 or shorter
I’m looking to finish the day with a bet in the finale, and will again focus on the highest draws, with Thundering Blue the pick after a career-best effort in victory at York. I opposed him that day on account of the ground (had been a non-runner in similar conditions in the past), but if anything, he improved for the sound surface and travelled like the winner from a long way out, winning easily from the consistent Banditry, with the rest well beaten off.
He’s gone up 7lb for that, but this longer trip could be a catalyst for further progress, and he has been on a steep upward curve since winning at Newmarket last summer.
Recommended: Back Thundering Blue @ 8.0 or bigger
