Royal Ascot 2013 - Duke of Cambridge Stakes

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.