Royal Ascot - Albany Stakes

Royal Ascot (Day 4, Race 1)

Albany Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies) (Class 1) (2yo) Winner £34,062

Pick: Teolane (win)

Anakindalika: Easy to pass over despite hinting at ability on last month's debut over this trip at Newmarket.

Hidden Passion: Seemed amiss when pulled up on debut and relief to see her back when showing she had ability when second to Viola d'Amour at Haydock 9 days ago; Yard demands respect but this seemingly too hard.

Illunaglass: Backed into odds – on for debut and won well despite flashing tail at the stat and a furlong out and sure to progress from that; Yard has won two of the last six renewals and Moore back on board so seriously considered.

Intetrobil: Backed like a good thing and won in same style when running out 6 length winner of Redcar maiden despite having dwelt in the stalls; Well upto taking hand in this company and strong trainer hand in 2yo division shown here yesterday; High on shortlist.

Judas Jo: Won a maiden at Catterick on debut early last month and can do better than that but her form has taken more than a few knocks and that a discouraging in this better field.

Lily’s Angel: Has raced exclusively at 5f so far, going through first three races unbeaten before bumping into useful pair in hot Beverley event latest; That form looks sold despite poor shows from top 2 in Queen Mary and should relish trip today; Notable that trainer & jockey send her here instead of Miss Work Of Art.

Luv U Forever: Made more than standard improvement when winner of uncompetitive affair at Bath last time (seventh on debut) and she looks outclassed here.

Sajwah: Won with something to spare despite edging left on Warwick debut and sure to go on again; Draw looks favourable and more to like than most, for all that her form has been let down since by placed horses.

Samitar: Only third but that a promising third in well-contested 6f Newmarket maiden last month, and yard had 1-2 in 2003 before winning this again with half-sister Njoom Dubai (2007); Can go well here, with trainer in good form this week for 2yos.

Sweet Chilli: Impressive when she made it second time  lucky in Pontefract maiden, and notably in better race than first time up; Found stride too late in useful looking 5f race latest and while she would need more to get involved, not hard to see her running well.

Switcher: Stayed on strongly to win 9-runner maiden at Haydock in May by 3½ lengths from previously useful looking Dare To Dream; Yard in stonking form of late and can’t be dismissed out of turn.

Teolane: Too raw & slowly away to get involved on debut but revelation since then, one of the most impressive maiden winners of season seen so far at Leopardstown; Drop back to 6f proved no problem when never in any danger of losing Listed race at Naas latest (same race that stable’s 2008 winner Cuis Ghaire won) and sure to go well.

Tip Top Gorgeous: Well thought of enough to make debut in Hilary Needler (well behind Lily’s Angel) and actually ran a very good race for debutant, and ran into well liked Kohala (fifth in Queen Mary) latest; That said, this is far harder.

Tofeee Tart: Plenty of promise on debut but temperament problems when beaten at 2-13 on next start and again when not getting to a bunched finish back in trip; This hardest task and others preferred.

Weood: Can surely do better than her poor showing first time out at Haydock when toiling form some way out but this not the time for her.

VERDICT: TEOLANE created a deep impression when making all on her last start and should be tough to beat today. It’s significant that Lily’s Angel represents a combination who have another very smart filly at home, while Illaunglass & Samitar represent trainers with excellent records here, not to mention Inetrobil for the strong Kevin Ryan team.