Commonwealth Cup: Reliable Army the way to go

The Commonwealth Cup has been a welcome addition to the Flat racing calendar, and this year’s renewal looks one of the most open yet.

It is the Aidan O’Brien-trained Sioux Nation that heads the ante-post market at the time of writing, and unsurprisingly so given the manner of his victory in the Lacken Stakes at Naas last time by one and a quarter lengths from Fleet Review. His record when racing on ground firmer than good is a formidable one, and he proved when winning the Nolfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot last year he is well suited by the straight course at Ascot; his sire Scat Daddy also boats a good strike rate at Ascot and Sioux Nation holds very strong claims.

Sioux Nation tanks through proceedings and shows a decisive turn of foot to win the Group 3 @Goffs1866 Lacken Stakes @NaasRacecourse: pic.twitter.com/ocbVCouDkQ

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 20, 2018

However, there are some others that appeal more at bigger prices, notably Invincible Army. He made a winning in the Pavilion Stakes over C&D last month by one and a half lengths from Eqtidaar and lost little caste in defeat when beaten a nose by Sands of Mali at Haydock last time. Invincible Army was around three lengths behind that rival in the Gimcrack last year, but was separated by the narrowest margin at Haydock, and it wouldn’t be a surprise were he to reverse the form with that rival in the Commonwealth Cup. The 8/1 available about Invincible Army looks very fair about a horse with his level of form that's also so reliable and likeable.

Sands of Mali has to be respected, though, given the rate in which he is progressing this season, winning both of his starts in pattern company. He showed a real will to win at Haydock last time, holding off the stern challenge of Invincible Army, but he will likely find it harder to make all in a bigger field at a stiff track like Ascot. However, he is in great heart and has a solid chance on form.

An incredible finish to the Armstrong Aggregates Sandy Lane Stakes! Sands Of Mali just gets the better of Invincible Army to record his fourth success from seven starts. pic.twitter.com/YLlvDpF5w0

— Haydock Park Races (@haydockraces) May 26, 2018

The steamer in the market these past couple of days has been the Charlie Hills-trained Equilateral, who made a striking impression on reappearance when winning a six-furlong minor event at Doncaster by eight lengths, allowed to coast home in the final 75 yards. The time of that race was backed up by a time more than half a second faster than some useful older handicappers managed later on the card, and he remains unexposed.

At a bigger price Main Desire is worth mentioning following her win in a listed race at York last month by a neck from Hey Jonesy. She hadn’t been seen since winning the Marygate at the same meeting 12 months previous (injured while being prepared for the Queen Mary), and didn’t need to improve significantly, but it was still a good performance. Main Desire has plenty of speed, and this will be the stiffest track she has raced on, but there is hope in her pedigree this extra furlong should be manageable and she needs considering.

Recommendation:

Back Invincible Army each way at 8/1 in the Commonwealth Cup