I'm supremely confident my big Royal Ascot tip on Friday will be far too good for his rivals
It's hotting up on and off the track now
MATT CHAPMAN I'm supremely confident my big Royal Ascot tip on Friday will be far too good for his rivals
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OUT of the shadows and into the limelight — that's what I'm expecting for last season's champion juvenile at Ascot on Friday.
We've made it to Day Four of the Royal meeting, and SHADOW OF LIGHT (3.05) — last season's Group 1 Middle Park and Dewhurst hero — drops back in trip for the Commonwealth Cup.
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Is Shadow Of Light a bit of a good thing in what would normally be a hugely competitive Commonwealth?
Credit: PA
Like many, I suspect he will take all the beating after his comeback third to stable companion Ruling Court and Field Of Gold in the 2,000 Guineas.
Shadow Of Light might well have won that race if he had been delivered a little later, but whatever the case, the drop to 6f should be exactly what he will enjoy and I just think he will be far too good.
I'm happy with stall 19, so come on, William Buick.
GOLD DIGGER (2.30) can get the day off to a flyer in the Albany Stakes.
She looked special on debut at Yarmouth and it would be a famous winner here for Phil Cunningham and Richard Spencer.
I was there that day, and many thought Awaken would take all the beating for George Boughey.
She ran well, but was no match for Gold Digger, a Starman offspring who cost 260,000gns at the Craven Breeze-Up sale.
She stays well and will be well suited to a Jamie Spencer special from off the pace. Stall 14 should not be an issue.
ETHICAL DIAMOND (3.40) was fourth in the Duke Of Edinburgh last year when the 7-4 favourite.
But he was out in stall 18 that day and get a much handier box in stall seven this time.
The Willie Mullins challenger will hopefully be a stronger horse this time as he just weakened late on in 2024 and I suspect he will take all the stopping under Ryan Moore.
He was a fine fourth at Cheltenham in the County Hurdle.
For many the big one of the day is the Group 1 Coronation Stakes.
We get the chance to see what might be a monster in FALAKEYAH (4.20) and her draw (stall two) has worked in her favour.
Owen Burrows was considering the French Oaks after her demolition job in the Pretty Polly but also the Irish 1,000 Guineas.
I'm pretty sure she has the speed for this test.
She should be improving all the time as had only been to Wolverhampton prior to her Newmarket victory.
She looks an absolute tank. Jim Crowley takes the mount.
NEVER LET GO (5.00) is the one for me in the Sandringham.
A strong gallop will be ideal for her and she has plenty of experience for Ed Walker.
Many in this race are stepping up in trip, but Never Let Go drops in distance and looks sure to be suited by a proper gallop.
Kieran Shoemark would not usually want to get down to a weight of 8st10lbs every day but he might just be rewarded here for making the effort.
She's up in the handicap for a Listed third when last seen but as a lightly-raced animal I'm not too fussed about that. An each-way wager.
Amiloc could easily win the King Edwards VII Stakes - also known as the Ascot Derby.
But ZAHRANN (5.35) might just be one of the best Johnny Murtagh has trained in his career.
The Aga Khan-owned colt and son of Night of Thunder was impressive in Listed company at Leopardstown last time and stayed this trip very well.
He was well backed and it looked as though the stable knew he's classy. I'll chance him each-way.
The day closes with JORGE ALVARES (6.10) in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap.
A lot of very fast horses here and I suspect something will come flying through late.
He could be the one each-way for Colin Keane and Ger Lyons.
The gelding has plenty of experience and ran really well when last seen at Curragh staying on strongly having been close to the pace.
He's up 1lb here but that shouldn't make any difference and he's raced up to seven furlongs so that bit of stamina could be useful.
Good luck one and all. Yeeehaaa!
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