Shadow Of Light could prove a worthy favourite as he drops back to 1200m for the Commonwealth Cup on the penultimate day of Royal Ascot on Friday.
Sprinting looked to be his future judged on his conclusive Middle Park Stakes win, but he then changed trainer Charlie Appleby’s thinking when stretching out for a Group One double in the Dewhurst on his final juvenile start.
That victory entitled him to a Classic spin the 2000 Guineas, but he was ultimately outstayed by Ruling Court and Field Of Gold in third, losing two places in the final 200m, with the runner-up underlining his star status with a sterling St James’s Palace Stakes win on Tuesday.
If Appleby has successfully got that sprinting edge back on his charge, Shadow Of Light could hold all the aces.
Exactly can spring a minor surprise in the Coronation Stakes and reverse French 1000 Guineas form with Zarigana.
Aidan O’Brien’s charge has been beaten in each of her two starts so far this year, but she looked quite unlucky when fourth in the fillies’ Classic at ParisLongchamp last month.
First-past-the-post Shes Perfect was demoted to second in favour of Zarigana after being adjudged to have caused interference, with Exactly caught up in that incident as she found her run impeded at a crucial point.
Beaten just over a length at the line with Ryan Moore having eased his mount, Exactly’s effort can be uprated and she can prove a supersub for the sidelined Lake Victoria.
Fitzella is the choice in the Albany Stakes after a cracking run at Ascot on her racecourse bow.
She found just Military Code a neck too good that day and clearly benefited for the experience as she subsequently made all for a cosy success at Haydock.
Hugo Palmer pitched Fitzella over 1200m on that second start and the trip certainly seemed to suit.
Almosh’her was another late recruit for Wathnan Racing and can strike first time out in their colours in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes.
He has a habit of winning by the narrowest of margins, winning three of his four starts by a neck, a nose and a head, while he was only beaten a head on his only other run.
That has somewhat limited the handicapper’s ability to get a hold of him and while he is 5lb higher for his York verdict over the reopposing Stressfree, Almosh’her could have any amount left to come.
Zahrann can emulate last year’s victor Calandagan by winning the King Edward VII Stakes in the famous Aga Khan silks.
Trained by Johnny Murtagh, Zahrann did not make his racecourse bow until April and following that initial defeat, he has not looked back in winning a Cork maiden and a Leopardstown Listed heat.
This represents a much stiffer task but Zahrann appears to be making strides with every outing.
Zgharta is the pick in the Sandringham Stakes while Adrestia makes plenty of appeal in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes after an eyecatching recent return. – Press Association
TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings on Friday. Here are the tips.
MARKET RASEN: Race 1: 15.05 Climbing, Race 2: 15.40 Moro Rock, Race 3: 16.13 Lunar Ocean, Race 4: 16.50 Queens Wish, Race 5: 17.25 Vintage Fizz, Race 6: 18.05 Hijo De La Luna, Race 7: 18.45 Shutfrontdoor.
REDCAR: Race 1: 15.15 Oscar’s Sister, Race 2: 15.50 Mission In Malton, Race 3: 16.23 Marhaba Ghaiyyath, Race 4: 17.00 Venezuelan, Race 5: 17.40 Fantasmic, Race 6: 18.15 Keep The Gold.
ROYAL ASCOT: Race 1: 15.30 Fitzella, Race 2: 16.05 SHADOW OF LIGHT (NAP), Race 3: 16.40 Almosh’her, Race 4: 17.20 Exactly, Race 5: 18.00 Zgharta, Race 6: 18.35 Zahrann, Race 7: 19.10 Adrestia.
NEWMARKET: Race 1: 17.47 Gnocchi, Race 2: 18.25 Opening Bat, Race 3: 18.57 Sterling Knight, Race 4: 19.37 Native Spirit, Race 5: 20.15 Royal Musketeer, Race 6: 20.50 Toy Soldier, Race 7: 21.25 One More Chrome.
GOODWOOD: Race 1: 18.20 Blue Orbit, Race 2: 18.52 New York Minute, Race 3: 19.30 Graham, Race 4: 20.03 Way Of Stars, Race 5: 20.38 Organ, Race 6: 21.13 Getreadytorumble.
ALL TO COME: Shadow Of Light and Exactly (Ascot, Races 2 and 4).
This article was originally published on TAB and is reposted here with permission.
