ROYAL ASCOT 2019. DAY FOUR FRIDAY 21st JUNE

Friday Weather update -- A better day on Friday generally dry and sunny but not as warm as you would hope for in middle of June temperatures are a high of 19C.

Going -- Good to Soft.

DAY FOUR
Well done to all connected with yesterdays Gold Cup winner STRADAVARIUS, a gutsy display hitting the front in the home straight under Ascot specialist Frankie Dettori and fending off the challenge from Dee Ex Bee to win. Hope you finding a few more winners this week, the weather making the selections more difficult to find than it is to get served at the bars !

The opening race is at 2:30 it's the ALBANY STAKES a race for 2yo fillies and has a field of 26 runners declared for a 6f dash. While he's not had the greatest of Royal meetings so far the American trainer Wesley Ward still has plenty of firepower and runs two here with CHILI PETIN and NAYIBETH which will be worth a look first in the parade and then again in the betting. One for me that I saw last time at Sandown in May was JM JACKSON and Mark Johnston's filly went in the notebook with a good display in the National Stakes will be one for me each way to start us off.

Also keep an eye on Frankie today, he's in tremendous form and on board the filly LAST SURPRISE for Simon Crisford

2:30 Royal Ascot -- Albany Stakes (6f)
RESULT
1st.   Daahyeh   4/1 Fav  (David Egan)
2nd.  Celtic Beauty 25/1
3rd.   Aroha 100/1

The KING EDWARD VII STAKES is next off at 3:05 just the eight declared 3yo's here led by JAPAN for Aiden O'Brien and will be a well supported short price favourite. Personally would like to Lay that one and oppose with the pair of PONDUS and PRIVATE SECRETARY who continues to improve and while this is another step up in class it's worth following for now. 

3:05 Royal Ascot -- King Edward VII Stakes (1m 4f)
RESULT
1st.   Japan 6/4 Fav (R L Moore)
2nd.  Bangkok    10/1
3rd.   Eagles By Day    25/1

EQTIDAAR WINNING 2018 COMMONWEALTH CUP

A relatively new race at 3:40 is the COMMONWEALTH CUP a GROUP 1 race run over 6f for 3yo's.

Only nine runners take their chance headed by Advertise and maybe they are all running scared of TEN SOVEREIGNS last years's Middle Park winner and fifth in the 2000 Guineas is the best form here but hasn't had a lot of racing. 

If you want to take a punt on a big price each way shot then FOREVER IN DREAMS has come a long way for a day out and at 25/1+ with at least eight running for three places that would be considered.

3:40 Royal Ascot -- Commonwealth Cup (6f)
RESULT
1st.   Advertise   8/1  (L Dettori)
2nd.  Forever in Dreams   20/1
3rd.   Hello Youmzain   6/1

At 4:20 it's another fillies event and this time it's around the mile track for 3yo's, THE CORONATION STAKES. Dual 1000 Guineas winner  HERMOSA will surely be hard to beat to secure another G1 here but has some interesting competition including CASTLE LADY the French Filly represents the Godolphin team and is unbeaten including G1 level. 

While TWIST N SHAKE represents the Gosden / Dettori team and 20/1 looks generous if the front pair take each other on it might set it up for something else to break through.

4:20 Royal Ascot -- Coronation Stakes (1m)
RESULT
1st  --   Watch Me   20/1   (P C Boudot)
2nd  --  Hermosa Evens F
3rd  --   Jubiloso   9/2

Penultimate race on Friday is the 1m SANDRINGHAM STAKES a fillies handicap for three year old's the race is due off at 5:00 and has attracted a field of 28 today. Headed by MAGNETIC CHARM for William Haggas who trains this for Her Majesty The Queen and winner of a listed race at York last time. Given the wide open nature and massive field I would rather play at the bigger end of the market and have selected both NO WAY JOSE and AIM POWER at 33/1 again the field. Both have excellent experienced jockeys and while they will have to demonstrate that they can see the mile out that is reflected in the price and it's worth the risk.

5.00 Royal Ascot -- Sandringham Stakes (1m)
RESULT
1st  --   Thanks Be   33/1 (Hayley Turner)
2nd  --  Magnetic Charm   7/1
3rd  --   Hotsy Totsy   7/1
4th --    Coral Beach   10/1

Our finale for Friday off at 5:35 is the DUKE OF EDINBURGH stakes over 1m 4f a race that has attracted 19 runners topped by BYRON FLYER the 8yo was still winning last year and is not a forlorn hope at all. Irish raider JOHNNY DRAMA gets in at the foot of the weights for trainer Ger Lyons and this runs in the colours of King Power Racing could be very interesting. 

Another 8yo is SEA THE LION and this one hasn't had that much racing during that time also successful three times last year so might still have something in the tank.

5.35 Royal Ascot -- Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (1m 4f)
RESULT
1st  --  Baghdad   7/2   (R L Moore)
2nd  --  Ben Vrackie 7/1
3rd  --  Fujaira Prince   4/1
4th  --  Corgi   7/1

And that's all for Friday, last day tomorrow, hopefully you are doing as well as we are this week despite the lack of sunshine and train strikes plus headaches.