The Paddy Power Eliminator has been up throughout Royal Ascot week, with a £50,,000 jackpot to be won every single day. Day four is no different, as GG tipster joe Napier previews the six races in the competition, and gives his picks to try to survive to the end.
Race 1 – 2.30pm – Albany Stakes (Group 3)
Though only third on debut, the record of Aidan O’Brien’s juveniles have been firing this week, and that third by Signora came in a Group 3 ahead of a stablemate with experience. She should be right in the thick of things, while fellow Irish challengers Green Sense, Ipanema Queen and Oh Cecelia make the shortlist for their promising form too.
For the home side, Venetian Sun looked very promising on debut and represents top connections for two-year-olds. For Amo Racing and Richard Hannon, Indigo Dawn is by Coventry winner Nando Parrado, so is of interest too.
Race 1 Selections
- 7. Green Sense
- 8. Indigo Dawn
- 9. Ipanema Queen
- 12. Oh Cecelia
- 14. Signora
- 17. Venetian Sun
Race 2 – 3.05pm – Commonwealth Cup (Group 1)
Having looked like the winner of the 2000 Guineas a furlong out, Shadow Of Light is clearly immensely talented and should cope with this drop back to 6f. He is top of this five-strong shortlist, with Babouche, a highly talented juvenile, another who could be high class having bounced back to form last time.
Whistlejacket is the O’Brien first string and while he has form to overturn with a couple of these, he could be capable of doing so. At bigger odds, American raider Shisospicy is intriguing, as is last year’s Queen Mary winner Leovanni, as she should come on for her return at Haydock.
Race 2 Selections
- 9. Shadow Of Light
- 12. Whistlejacket
- 14. Babouche
- 17. Leovanni
- 20. Shisospicy
Race 3 – 3.40pm – Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes
Favourite Ethical Diamond is 2lb higher than when fourth in this last year and may be worth avoiding even for the Eliminator’s purpose. Hand Of God won really nicely at this meeting last year and is worth forgiving his comeback given he still has potential.
Almosh’her has a similar profile to that horse this time around and battled nicely to defeat Stressfree, who has won since, but is equally on the up at this trip. Mutaawid, although inconsistent, could also fit the bill now he tackles 1m4f for the first time.
Race 3 Selections
- 5. Mutaawid
- 7. Hand Of God
- 9. Stressfree
- 14. Almosh’her
Race 4 – 4.20pm – Coronation Stakes (Group 1)
Zarigana could so easily remain unbeaten but for a narrow defeat last season, and while she was not first past the post in the French 1000 Guineas, she is still a talented filly who has achieved the most in the field.
Alongside her, Falakeyah steps back from 1m2f having been taken out of the Oaks, but won so impressively at Newmarket that she should cope with this. January is the other selection, with it being significant that Ryan Moore chooses her over Exactly, who was in close attendance with Zarigana at Chantilly last time out.
Race 4 Selections
- 6. Falakeyah
- 8. January
- 11. Zarigana
Race 5 – 5.00pm – Sandringham Stakes
An extremely difficult race to emerge from with only two selections. Dash Of Azure may have the perfect blend of speed and stamina for this contest, with plenty of his half-siblings excelling over much further but being by Group 1 sprinter Blue Point. At a bigger price, the similarly well-bred Dancing Teapot, a full sister to Dancing Gemini, has a rating of just 84 and a win last time, coupled with first-time cheekpieces, could see her well involved.
Race 5 Selections
- 18. Dash Of Azure
- 24. Dancing Teapot
Race 6 – 5.35pm – King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2)
Amiloc did too much wrong at Goodwood before things went right, and he may end up finding himself too far back here, for all he must have ability. He is taken on with the promising Zahrann, who swooped for a Listed victory just over two weeks ago to win commandingly. He could be up to a very high level.
Race 6 Selections
- 11. Zahrann
