The main event on Royal Ascot Day 4 today is the Gr1 Coronation Stakes (16h45) run on the round mile track for three-year-old fillies.
The first three home from the 1,000 Guineas reoppose – Elmalka, now the mount of James Doyle, Porta Fortuna, and French raider Ramatuelle with Oisin Murphy taking over the reins.
Wishing His Royal Highness, The Prince Of Wales, a very Happy Birthday for today!
There was no more than half a length separating all three at the line at Newmarket and they now race around the turn where tactics always play a huge part in the outcome.
Aidan O’Brien’s champion juvenile filly Opera Singer adds to the spectacle. She ran third on her belated seasonal return in the Irish 1,000 Guineas last month.
Here’s hoping Oisin Murphy can extract that little bit extra from the French raider Ramatuelle and gain redemption for a heart breaking, unlucky defeat at Newmarket.
Earlier on the card, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum’s yellow silks with black spots look to dominate the Gr1 Commonwealth Cup (16h05), a six-furlong feature for three-year-olds.
His two impressive young speedsters, Elite Status for trainer Karl Burke and Inisherin from the Kevin Ryan yard should fight out the finish. Hard to call, but on his last start Inisherin is narrowly preferred.
Going Stick readings at 08h00:
Stands’ side: 8.6
Centre: 8.4
Far side: 8.4
Round: 7.3
Stalls:
Straight Course: centre
Round Course: inside
Weather:
3.6mm rain recorded over the past 7 days. The forecast is for fine and dry weather today. There is the threat of some showers tonight and tomorrow.
Ryan Moore – another good day likely! (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Ryan Moore’s rides today and his comments – courtesy of www.betfair.com
- 15h30 – Fairy Godmother
After being beaten on her debut, she reversed the form with the winner Sparkling Sea in a Group 3 at Naas last time, and did so nicely after meeting trouble in running. Again, we are dealing with unexposed two-year-old’s here but I’d like to think she is the one to beat after the way she did it last time, though you have to respect Mountain Breeze. We also have Heavens Gate in here, who we considered running in the Queen Mary on Wednesday – she is not out of this.
- 16h05 – Military
He has run well on his last two starts but I think it is fair to say he has work cut out here on what he has shown to date and the opposition. Still, he has good form on fast ground and this is only his seventh start, so let’s see.
- 16h45 – Opera Singer
She has a big chance and conditions look good for her. Obviously, this is an exceptionally hot race with the Newmarket 1-2-3 in here, as well as the French Guineas winner and other hopefuls. But, we were delighted with Opera Singer’s much-needed reappearance at the Curragh and hopefully you will now see the star filly that won the Boussac in such dominant fashion. If we do, then I expect a big run, but it’s a deep race, as I said.
- 17h25 – Ethical Diamond
A smart novice hurdler, he comes here after just getting touched off on the Flat at Leopardstown last time. He is 5lb higher here but the step back up to 1m4f is expected to suit and he looks to hold a strong enough chance in a competitive race.
- 18h05 – Everlasting
Flight Of Fancy ran a career-best last time and obviously has her chance, even if she has gone up 4lb. My mount Everlasting took advantage of the step down in class to win at Navan last time, and hopefully a first-time visor will sharpen her up even more. A mark of 102 gives her chances.
- 18h40 – Diego Velazquez
Once again we have four in here and there is little between all of them, with perhaps Chief Little Rock and Diego Velazquez having the best form credentials as it stands. Chief Little Rock was very good from the front over 1m2f at the Curragh last time, and he steps up in trip along with my mount Diego Velazquez, possibly a bit below par in the French Derby last time after finishing an excellent fourth in their Guineas. But things didn’t go his way there, and hopefully he can show his true worth here. It’s obviously a very open race but Agenda put up a big performance at Chester last time and I wouldn’t ignore his claims.
- 19h15 – Sommelier
I have never ridden him before he clearly ran well when second to Big Evs at York last time and a mark of 99 looks fair on that evidence.
Prince Andrew celebrates his birthday – but won’t be at the races today.
The 1st Carriage is occupied by The King , The Queen , The Lord Bamford and The Lady Bamford.
The meeting starts at 15h30 – enjoy!
