15:05 Ascot
Good To FirmCommonwealth Cup (Group 1) (No Geldings)
- First Prize: £396970
- 0m 6f 0y
- Class 1
- 22 runners
ITV
Runners: 22 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Mostly cloudy
Form: 11-632 DBF
OR: 107
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
2-2 in truncated 2yo campaign, including 6f Group 3; 0-3 this year but appeared suited by the drop back to 6f when neck second to Song Of The Clyde in Listed race at Newbury (good) last month, faring best of those who raced in the centre group; improvement needed but he's Ryan Moore's mount of the Ballydoyle three and could still have more to offer; not ruled out.
Form: 33-730 D
OR: 106
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Third in Group 3 Cornwallis (5f, good) and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (5f, firm) on final two 2yo starts, and also third in Listed race at York (5f, good) last month; respectable midfield finish in King Charles III Stakes here (5f, good to firm) on Tuesday but needs a career best today.
Form: 222-64 D
OR: 105
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Runner-up in two top-level races last autumn, namely the Middle Park at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (5f, firm); a long way below that level on both outings this term and arrives with plenty to prove but he's an each-way possible if cheekpieces prompt a revival.
Form: 111-18 CDBF
OR: 110
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Impressive in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes here (5f, good to firm) last June on fourth and final 2yo start; reappeared with Listed win at Navan (6f, good to yielding) in April and he was eased at Naas last month after Ryan Moore felt he lost his action; Moore rides stablemate Albert Einstein but this fellow remains one to be interested in; wears first-time blinkers.
Form: 3153-1 CD
OR: 110
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Third in the Coventry here (6f, good to firm) last June before 2l win in the Group 2 Richmond at Goodwood (6f, good), and campaign concluded with close third in the Group 1 Middle Park at Newmarket (6f, good to firm); reappeared with Group 3 win in the Trial over C&D (good to firm) and he's respected.
Form: 115-32 D
OR: 109
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Listed winner at York (6f, good) last October and reappeared with close third behind Coppull and Midnight Tango in the Group 3 Trial over this C&D (good to firm), finishing strongly after blowing the start; failed to settle and perhaps not seen to best effect when 3l second to Venetian Sun in Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock (6f, good to soft) last time; could go well.
Form: 2346-3 C
OR: 101
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
0-5 since winning the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes here 12 months ago (5f, good to firm) and couldn't threaten Song Of The Clyde and Albert Einstein when third in Listed race at Newbury (6f, good) on reappearance; however, he was held up in a race in which the first two were in front throughout, and today's big field and stiff finish may well see him to better effect.
Form: 21-111
OR: 107
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Won over 1m/6.5f earlier this season and made it four wins from his five starts when landing a Group 3 by a neck at Chantilly in April (5.5f, good; from Kimi Rey); he needs another step forward today but this French challenger is progressive and might have more left in the tank; not discounted.
Form: 59-110 D
OR: 104
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Won two conditions races at Meydan (7f/6f, good) early this year then finished down the field against older horses in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint there (6f, good) in March; Jamie Spencer being on board is a positive on the straight course here but this 3yo has something to find.
Form: 410-11 D
OR: 108
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
No match for the front three (including Venetian Sun and Wise Approach) when fourth of six in the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville (6f, good) last August but unbeaten over sprint trips otherwise; he's posted ready wins in two conditions races in the US this year and his US trainer has enjoyed plenty of success at Royal Ascot, winning this race in 2021; not ruled out.
Form: 9226-6 D
OR: 109
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Second in the Gimcrack at York (6f, good to firm) last August but well beaten in the Mill Reef at Newbury (6f, good to soft) next time and same story in the Sandy Lane at Haydock (6f, good to soft) last month; cheekpieces and the return to fast ground could help but others have less to prove.
Form: 111-24 DBF
OR: 110
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Won Group 3 and Group 2 races over 6f at Chantilly (good to soft/soft) last autumn and reappeared with solid second in Group 3 at Deauville (7f, good to soft); perhaps unsuited by heavy ground when below par at Chantilly last month and he retains potential, but others have stronger credentials.
Form: 125-41 D
OR: 108
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Won a sales race at York (6f, good to firm) last August and his form went to a new level when an all-the-way Listed winner at Newbury (6f, good) last month, narrowly from Albert Einstein; this is his first Group-race assignment and further improvement is needed but he's an each-way possible.
Form: 794-00
OR: 100
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Eight runs last season, the highlight his 6f Group 2 near-miss at Chantilly in July; however, he was inconsistent and hasn't shown anything like enough on his two runs this term to suggest he'll make an impact today.
Form: 131-54 CD
OR: 113
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Runner-up to Charles Darwin in the Norfolk here (5f, good to firm) 12 months ago and won the Group 1 Middle Park at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) in September; hasn't hit the same heights in races won by Coppull and Song Of The Clyde this season but he's not written off.
Form: 125-56 CD
OR: 102
W: 8st 13lb
Age: 3 yo Filly
Made all in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes over C&D (good) last July; some good runs in defeat since but she again looks vulnerable today.
Form: 1220-1 D
OR: 113
W: 8st 13lb
Age: 3 yo Filly
Runner-up to subsequent 1,000 Guineas winner True Love in the Group 1 Cheveley Park at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) last September and travelled well when a gutsy winner of the Group 3 Lacken Stakes at Naas (6f, good) on her reappearance; could build on that latest run and give a good account.
Form: 13-123
OR: 102
W: 8st 13lb
Age: 3 yo Filly
Two-time French Listed winner who has finished close up in Group 3s at Chantilly on her last two runs (5.5f/6f, good/heavy), a head behind My Calyx Cen on the first occasion; however, she has to produce something new today.
Form: 4460-2 D
OR: 104
W: 8st 13lb
Age: 3 yo Filly
0-6 in Group/Listed races since winning a maiden at Hamilton last June on her second start but she's often run well and was better than ever when a neck runner-up to Coppull in the Group 3 Trial over C&D (good to firm) on last month's return; each-way claims if backing up that performance.
Form: 041-83 D
OR: 103
W: 8st 13lb
Age: 3 yo Filly
Listed winner at Newmarket (6f, good) last October; respectable efforts this season when midfield in the 1,000 Guineas (1m, good to firm) and third in the Sandy Lane at Haydock (6f, good to soft) but she was no match for the winner Venetian Sun last time and today's task may well be beyond her.
OUR TIP
Form: 113-01 CD
OR: 115
W: 8st 13lb
Age: 3 yo Filly
5-5 over sprint trips, including 2yo wins at this meeting (C&D, good to firm) and in the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville (6f, good); having failed to stay 1m in the 1,000 Guineas, she was dropped back in trip in the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock (6f, good to soft) four weeks ago and won in fine style; leading claims.
Form: 121-9
OR: 111
W: 8st 13lb
Age: 3 yo Filly
Enjoyed the run of the race against the rail when making virtually all to win the Group 2 Rockfel at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) last September on her third start, but there was still lots to like about that performance and the runner-up went on to finish fourth in the 1,000 Guineas; soundly beaten in the French 1,000 Guineas (1m, heavy) on sole outing this year but she's lightly raced and could be suited by this first crack at sprinting; chance.
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Betting Forecast
9/2 Albert Einstein, 100/1 Aspect Island, 66/1 Brussels, 12/1 Charles Darwin, 11/1 Coppull, 11/1 Division, 33/1 Havana Hurricane, 40/1 My Calyx Cen, 66/1 Northern Champion, 16/1 Outfielder, 50/1 Rock On Thunder, 25/1 Samangan, 14/1 Song Of The Clyde, 100/1 Super Soldier, 14/1 Wise Approach, 100/1 Fitzella, 12/1 Havana Anna, 40/1 Kimi Rey, 40/1 Midnight Tango, 50/1 Spicy Marg, 7/4 Venetian Sun, 16/1 Zanthos
Verdict
Last season’s Group 1 Prix Morny winner VENETIAN SUN was seriously impressive when dropped back to 6f in the Group 2 Sandy Lane at Haydock last month and she can maintain her unbeaten record at sprint trips. Havana Hurricane won at last year’s Royal meeting and could prove best of the rest on this return to a similar big-field scenario, having been a promising third at Newbury on his reappearance. The pacy and lightly raced filly Zanthos is an intriguing contender on her first crack at sprinting and is next on the list. Coppull and Division ran big races in the C&D Trial and could be involved, while Charles Darwin may also feature despite Ryan Moore looking elsewhere.[Ben Hutton]