3.05 Ascot (Day 2, Race 2)
Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (Formerly The Windsor Forest
Stakes) (Fillies' Group 2) (Str) (Class 1)
(4YO plus)
Advice: 1 pt win Duntle (11/4 general), 1 pt win Sarkiyla
(8/1 Paddy Power)
Beatrice Aurore: Very useful on her day but could do no
better than fifth in this last year and hard to recommend after that and below
par return. 
Chigun: Bought along slowly by late Sir Henry and really
showing full potential this season, winning Group 3 at the Curragh in most
decisive fashion having just come a head second to her closely matched Dank
(receiving 3lbs); Both pieces of form more than good enough for her to be
involved and realistic chances today. 
Dancewiththedevil: Multiple South African Grade 1 winner at
1m-1m2f, but has been off since April 2012 and will do well to run to her best
here, and one has to wonder if that alone will be good enough.
Dank: Very progressive at 1m last season, winning maiden
(AW), handicap over C&D, and then Sandown Group 3; Improvement on that form
too when eating Chigun and Thistle Bird in Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket over
1m1f, and performance that was impressive given how she was conceding 3lbs to
the pair of them and should have come on for the experience plenty; More to
come and leading form chance.
Duntle: One of the most progressive fillies of last season,
winning maiden by 18 lengths before winning 4 of next 5 races including Group 1
Matron Stakes when beating Chachamaidee and Emulous amongst others (although
DQ’d), the best form available in this race; Comfortable return on her seasonal
reappearance and the one to beat. 
Intense Pink: Winner of maiden by wide margin last year but
didn’t go onto the heights that Duntle did and all of her best form has come on
soft ground; Dismissed. 
Lady’s First: Very useful and admirable sort who can always
be counted onto give her best but Dank improved past her last year and well
beaten by Chigun and Thistle Bird as well; Needs more. 
Sarkiyla: Smart and reliable French filly who’s still
progressing judged on her close second at Saint Cloud latest in open company
arguably should have won following her Meydan fourth when she made eyecathing
late ground; Big chance here on that form and may have been overlooked. 
Sweetnessandlight: Exellent fourth in Sandown Group 3 but
hard not to think Dank has improved since and feels as if she has since been exposed since. 
Thistle Bird: One of the most progressive fillies around
last year, winning three listed races and finish second in the Celebration
Mile, and won Group 3 at Epsom although that came after she was behind Chigun
and Dank on her reappearance; Can go well once more.
VERDICT: A classy renewal with plenty of realistic
contenders and finding one to pick is fiendishly difficult. It’s surprising to
see SARKIYLA only fifth favourite given how unlucky she was not to win an all
aged event last time - with Don Bosco
then fourth in the Group 1 D’Isphan - after her encouraging fourth in the UAE
Mile and she might be the value. DUNTLE is a worthy favourite and deserves
supporting, with Dank seen as the biggest danger after beating Chigun and
Thistle Bird giving 3lbs to the pair of them.
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