Royal Ascot Meeting 2016: Day Four Preview

The Commonwealth Cup doesn’t have much of a history, having only been introduced into the programme book last season, however if its first winner is anything to go by, the race will quickly establish itself as one of the key races in the season. Charles Hills’ Muhaarar – now retired to stud - won the Group 1 sprint by three and three-quarter lengths from Limato 12 months ago, and won three more races at the top level, including the British Champions Sprint Stakes at this track on his final start.

This year’s favourite is Quiet Reflection. Karl Burke’s filly is clear top on Timeform ratings after a three and three-quarter length demolition job in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock last time, with several of these rivals behind her, including Donjuan Triumphant (second), Buratino (fourth) and La Rioja (fifth). That was Quiet Reflection’s fifth win from six starts, her only defeat coming in last year’s Lowther Stakes at York, and she’s the one to beat once again here.

Mark Johnston’s Buratino won the Coventry Stakes here last season and, after having his stamina stretched in the 2000 Guineas, produced a better effort at Haydock last time. Donjuan Triumphant won the Group 2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte in 2015 and made a creditable return behind Quiet Reflection, sticking to the task well after being one of the first off the bridle. Also of interest is Tom Dascombe’s Kachy who was a creditable two and three-quarter lengths sixth to subsequent King’s Stand winner Profitable in the Temple Stakes at Haydock last time.

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A Group 1 contest for three-year-olds over a mile, the Coronation Stakes has not been monopolised by one trainer or nation in recent times. However, John Gosden can boast two victories in the same time period, while two of the last five renewals have gone to horses trained in France, and that country – and in particular its top race for three-year-old fillies - is strongly represented once again.

Gosden’s Nathra finished ahead of Qemah (third), Spectre (fifth) and Alice Springs (seventh) in the Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) at Deauville in May, where she was a staying-on second under Frankie Dettori. She had previously won the Nell Gwyn Stakes in April before a never-threatening fifth in the 1000 Guineas, both at Newmarket. She resumed her progress in France and looks a major player here, as she’s proven on soft ground too.

Jean-Claude Rouget’s Qemah has won two of her last four starts, and ran very well behind stablemate La Cressonniere in the Pouliches. She looks a genuine contender on that form. Similar comments apply to the German-trained Spectre who improved on her Prix Imprudence win at Maisons-Laffitte in April when finishing fifth in the Pouliches last time.

Adrian Keatley’s Irish 1000 Guineas winner Jet Setting will carry new colours after she was purchased for £1.3 million by the China Horse Club on the eve of this meeting. She had previously been bought out of Richard Hannon's yard for 12,000 guineas, and put a low-key run when a well-held ninth to Minding at Newmarket behind her when getting the better of the same rival in the Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh last time.

Jeremy Noseda’s Nemoralia wasn’t seen to best effect when third in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland last October. She improved again when emphatically winning a listed race at York last time, and remains open to improvement, however her connections have expressed concerns over the recent rain.

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Frankel’s first crop is set to be represented by Richard Fahey’s Queen Kindly in the Group 3 Albany Stakes which gets Day Four underway, followed by the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes over a mile and a half. The card is completed by the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes, a handicap dominated in recent years by Sir Michael Stoute, and the listed Queen’s Vase over two miles.