15:45 Royal Ascot

Wednesday 19 June 2024

All14:3015:0515:4516:2517:0517:4018:15

Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (Fillies' & Mares' Group 2) (Rnd)

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 1m 39.12s

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Selected odds by:

(12)

Ocean Jewel^h²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: W J Lee| T: W McCreery| OR: 108| D

15/2

Sioux Nation filly who won Group 3 Ballycorus Stakes 12 months ago and, lightly raced since, she returned with a career-best performance when taking 8-runner Group 2 at the Curragh (1m) 24 days ago. Still low mileage and she could have more to offer at this sort of trip.

Form: 2/3158-1

(13)

Breege^p1¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 102

14/1

Posted some excellent efforts in defeat last season, notably her second in the Sandringham at this meeting. Good third on return at Goodwood and deservedly back to winning ways in Grp. 3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom 18 days ago. Looks a player again in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 2542-31

(6)

Doom⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 100

12/1

Consistent filly who progressed gradually towards the end of last season, signing off with success in French listed event (7f, soft) in November. Solid return to action when ¾-length third of 10 to Gregarina in Athasi Stakes at the Curragh (7f) and possible she can improve further this term.

Form: 22141-3

(14)

Gregarina^h⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 103| D

14/1

€210,000 purchase having showed useful form in France and she made perfect start for new yard when taking Group 3 Athasi Stakes at the Curragh (7f, soft) in May, staying on to lead dying strides. Return to this longer trip a plus and she's not discounted.

Form: 12757-1

(5)

Julia Augusta¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 97| D

50/1

Useful mare who ran creditably upped in grade/on debut for new yard when 2 lengths fourth of 8 to Breege in Group 3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom (8.5f, good to soft) 18 days ago. However, she's likely to find a few too good again in this even deeper contest.

Form: 624-544

(1)

Laurel³⁹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 110| D

4/1

Well-regarded filly who ran a fine race when second at Group 1 level on final start at 3 yrs. Seen only twice last season, successful on return at listed level prior to a lesser run in the Lockinge at Newbury (1m) 13 months ago. Interesting she remains in training as a 5-y-o and she's shortlisted.

Form: 112/10-

(3)

Magical Sunset²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: David Egan| T: A Murray| OR: 100

66/1

Useful filly. Career best when landing Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood (7f, heavy) last summer for Richard Hannon prior to a couple of low-key efforts in the autumn. Not at very best in trio of starts for new yard so far this term and work to do if she's to feature at this level.

Form: 100-540

(8)

Nibras Angel^t⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: K Stott| T: I Mohammed| OR: 90

125/1

Won 2 of her 4 starts as a 3-y-o and progressed further without getting her head in front in Meydan around the turn of the year. Latest sixth of 11 in handicap at Newbury (7f) was a creditable effort but she's got plenty to find up at this level.

Form: 436906

(7)

Novus^p⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: T P Queally| T: G & J Moore| OR: 107| D

28/1

Smart filly who progressed throughout last term, winning 3 times either side of a very good sixth in Sandringham (1m) at this meeting 12 months ago. Enhanced her excellent Goodwood record when edged out late on at listed level in May and she's an each-way player back up in class.

Form: 2141-72

(4)

Orchid Bloom^t1²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Cieren Fallon| T: W J Haggas| OR: 104| BF| D

28/1

Progressed into a useful performer last term, successful on handicap debut at Newbury (1m) before finishing placed in pair of listed events. Ran well on her first try in pattern company when fourth behind Ocean Jewel at the Curragh 24 days ago. Stronger pace here will aid her cause.

Form: 2132-64

(2)

Rogue Millennium²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: D McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 110| BF| CD

10/3

Smart mare who confirmed previous promise when landing this race 12 months ago. Acquired by present connections for £1,650,000 after final start and she shaped better than the result when third behind Ocean Jewel on return at the Curragh (1m) in May. Has to be of strong interest again.

Form: 15205-3

(9)

Royal Dress^h¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: B M Coen| T: J Tate| OR: 102| D

25/1

Useful handicapper for Richard Hannon last season and caused a surprise when edging out Breege on return in Goodwood listed contest in May. Matched that level when third behind that rival at Epsom latest (not seen to best effect) and she's evidently an improved performer this term.

Form: 1407-13

(11)

Running Lion¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 106| BF| D

6/1

Useful last season and she looked all over the winner before hanging left over 1f out when runner-up on return in Dahlia Stakes (9f) at Newmarket in May. Subsequent effort in Princess Elizabeth Stakes has to go down as disappointing and she needs treating with a degree of caution now.

Form: 0238-28

(10)

Sea The Lady⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Aurelien Lemaitre| T: C H Head| OR: 104| D

17/2

Useful performer who won 3 times as a juvenile. Improved without tasting success in pattern company during 2023 and she proved as good as ever on return/debut for new yard when third in Longchamp Group 3 (10f) in April. Forecast quicker conditions will hold no fears here.

Form: 54365-3

Forecasts

Rogue Millennium (10/3), Laurel (4/1), Running Lion (6/1), Ocean Jewel (15/2), Sea The Lady (17/2), Doom (12/1), Breege (14/1), Gregarina (14/1), Royal Dress (25/1), Orchid Bloom (28/1), Novus (28/1), Julia Augusta (50/1), Magical Sunset (66/1), Nibras Angel (125/1)

Low-mileage mare LAUREL has been absent since finishing down the field in the Lockinge 13 months ago but she'd looked one to keep firmly on side in landing 3 of her 4 previous starts. All the more significant her leading connections opt to keep her in training as a 5-y-o, she's selected to enhance her good record fresh and strike. Last year's winner Rogue Millennium had little go right on return/yard debut and is feared. Ocean Jewel and Breege are others to consider.