Queen Mary Stakes 2012

5.00 Royal Ascot (Day 2, Race 5)

Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies) (Class 1) (2yo) Winner £42,533

Advice: 1 pt win Mironica (5/1 general), 1 pt each/way Hairy Rocket (12/1) 

All Fur Coat: Runner up twice in good maidens (Tassel is notably highly regarded by the Hannon team despite next time out disappointment) before running out a ready and all the way winner of Lily Agnes Stakes; This calls for more.

Baileys Jubilee: Looked like she could be one of the early standard setters when landing AW maiden and Newmarket conditions stakes but disappointed in Listed company the last twice, first ending up miles behind Celling Kitty and then when going off far too fast in National Stakes.

Belle Intrigue: Did well to win her maiden at Brighton just a week ago, not getting the gap that she wanted until late on and then running green before getting up late in the day; Open to progress from that but this looks too big a step up.

Celing Kitty: Took her time to find her stride but did well to overcome being hampered well inside the latter stages when winning at Kempton and then followed that up with Listed win at York; Might come on again and respected here despite fact that York form hasn’t really worked out.

Delphica: Nicely bred (plenty of winners in the pedigree) but this a steep debut and not seen the market signs that she might offer something.

Excel Yourself: Fourth in pair of maidens at Pontefract and then Newmarket, improving into better race last time out; This still a different kettle of fish and needs to improve.

Graphic Guest: One of the leading contenders for this following wins here in maiden and then at Windsor (beat Hairy Rocket); With even debut form looking strong (should improve past All Fur Coat), should take the beating here with a strong pace set to play into her hands (picked off two rivals in Windsor maiden when just running.

Hairy Rocket: Very impressive when smashing stablemate and reopposing Miss Diva at Windsor first time up, before being swept aside by Graphic Guest late on in the day at Windsor in conditions stakes; Did far too much too soon that day under very poor ride and not that far-fetched to think that she could reverse the form and give herself a chance.

Hoyam: Slow into her stride before hanging left when second to Miss Diva at Windsor (steadily stuck on into second) and nailed on winner but whether she can do it here is a different task altogether.

Jadanna: Very impressive debut (sharply right at the start, switched left, switched right again, hung left and green before going right away) and followed that up with win in Hilary Needler Stakes when showing grit in tight finish; Should be respected here with Frankie Dettori a good booking.

Jillnextdoor: Runner up to Lady Phill in conditions stakes at Newbury and then got to within a head of Windsor Castle winner Hototo at Ayr last time out; Has to be respected even though still a maiden win.

Jubilee Diamond: Sharply away and ran well when second to likely favourite Upward Sprial at Sandown, battling hard with Dascombe runner until she went away in last 100 yards; Stable’s 1^st string on jockey bookings and that has to be respected even if not the main choice; Watch market.

Lady Phill: Got the better of Jillnextdoor at Newbury when giving away 5lbs at Newbury last time; Improving steadily and Jillnextdoor gave that form a big boost through Hototo next time out but one would imagine that others can improve past him.

Lasilila: Ready winner of Hamilton maiden on good to soft but been well beaten by Jadanna on both occasions and s much to find now.

Madam Mojito: Beaten total off 11 rivals so far in AW maiden at Wolves and then when winning minor event at Newcastle; Looked to have bit in hand there so step up in class deserved and not hard to see her running well for all that others are preferred.

Masarah: Showed a little something when fifth on debut at Kempton and may have been closer had he not been forced to switch.

Melodee Princess: Shown nothing to suggest that she’s capable of winning in this company.

Mironica: Travelled like a good horse before landing 6f maiden at Naas, the form of which has been boosted by runner up True Verdict finishing second to Richard Hannon’s Sky Lantern in Listed race at Naas; Trainer won this in 2004, sent out Meow to finish second in 2010 and had Fire Lily in fourth last year, so worthy of the utmost respect.

Miss Diva: Had no answer towards stablemate Hairy Rocket on debut at Windsor, and while she did break duck with relative ease over very green Hoyam, hard to be too enthusiastic about her chances here.

Modern Lady: Impossible to like after coming ninth on debut.

Projectisle: Made all and pulled clear with next time out winner (it should be kept in mind that it was in Selling company) when winning 6f maiden auction stakes at

Satsuma: Strong at the finish when winning Catterick maiden and then finishing second in conditions race at Musslburgh; Second to Newcomer on that occasions and far more needed, so others preffered.

Saharaaah: Close second to Sandreamer in good Newmarket maiden (fourth went onto run out an impressive winner) and then won in good style herself at Kempton; Looks a prospect on that basis and big race wouldn’t surprise.

 Star Up In The Sky: Late support into 5-1 on debut when second at Chester on soft ground; Better conditions might improve her but others make far more appeal.

Threes Grand: Best efforts have come in succession despite having only one win, getting within a length of Jadanna at Beverley latest; Needs more to reverse that form and others make more appeal.

Upward Spiral: Justified support when coming clear of Jubilee Diamond at Sandown on debut; Clear first string of Richard Hannon’s in second so has to be respected majorly with Johnny Murtagh riding.

VERDICT: Many in with a chance, but trainer records and form (through the second) lead me to MIRONICA, who was so impressive at Naas and is one of two token choices. Next best might well be HAIRY ROCKET, who went far too fast when beaten by Graphic Guest at Windsor. Give respect to Upward Spiral and Jillnextdoor too.