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Royal Ascot Day 2 summaries - part 1

The first half of the card (full preview in another post for Queen's Vase)


QUEEN MARY

Tough race (repeat for most of the week!)

Leovanni might be the one to bring up the first Wathnan Racing win of the week. They hit the crossbar a few times on day one, they'll land one shortly, especially in a juvenile race. Englemere looks a likely type for George Boughey, a yard in red-hot form and with Billy Loughnane (rode a 80/1 winner yesterday), she'll go close although gate 1 is a concern (no track bias, just getting locked away). Ultima Grace for Wesley Ward will no doubt be wound up for this, and Flicka's Girl might be one to put value into the exotics. She won on debut then has performed admirably but under a penalty since. Back to level weights, she will be better suited.

LEOVANNI, Englemere, Ultima Grace, Flicka's Girl

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DUKE of CAMBRIDGE

Royal Dress should have won at Epsom last time, the wide open spaces should make her task a bit easier. Rogue Millenium was running in elite G1 races last season, and was unlucky on stable debut last time out. The jockey & trainer are a little off the boil but she is a class animal. Ocean Jewel took a big step forward to defeat Rogue Millenium last time and can give this a shake despite a 3lb penalty. Potting Laurel in this, hard to forgive her last run in the Lockinge.  

ROYAL DRESS, Rogue Millenium, Ocean Jewel, Doom

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PRINCE OF WALES'

Auguste Rodin will be favourite and might just brain them, but he's too prone to the odd flop, and his last run behind White Birch was a rung below his best. Opposing him.

Inspiral has generally run over shorter distances but she is by Frankel, the extra distance at this stage of her career should be better for her - although Kieran Shoemark's form at the moment is a slight concern. Zarakem is a very interesting French visitor, he beat Horizon Dore on seasonal return in April but then didn't back up well later in the month. At the price and with 6wks off, I think he's worth a look. Alflaila was only 3L behind Auguste Rodin in the Irish Champion Stakes last season, and now meets him on level weights. PLace chance.

INSPIRAL, Zarakem, Alflaila but not an inspiring betting race for me.


Queen's Vase preview

Day 2 previews - latter half


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