Day Four Royal Ascot Preview - 19/06/20

The first race of the day at Ascot on day four is the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Handicap over five furlongs and with such a big field heading to post we have two selections.

Golden Dragon for trainer Stuart Williams looks to have a superb chance in this one being a very progressive type that although carrying an extra nine pounds can go well.

In his four starts to date he has two wins and last time out finished a close up fifth in a Group Three at Newmarket which came on wet ground.

At a similar each way price Maystar for Archie Watson and Hollie Doyle look to have a big shout if the gelding can improve for his runs this season.

The three year old overall is a consistent horse that has flourished over different trips, having won over five, six and seven furlongs during his career.

Last time out in a listed race at Chantilly he finished a bold second and dropping back into a handicap could play to his strengths.

The Group Three Albany Stakes kicks off the big races in the day and Undertake for Roger Varian looks massively overpriced.

The two year old filly has only been seen on a racecourse once and she took to the task very well winning at Lingfield over six furlongs.

Roger Varian has been in decent form so far this season and got off the mark at the festival with Fujaira Prince on Wednesday.

One of our big fancies on the Friday is the Mark Johnston trained Eye Of Heaven in the Group Two Norfolk Stakes over five furlongs.

The two year old was electric on debut at Newmarket when winning a very nice Novice contest that has since gone on to be franked in form.

The third that day, was the Queen's horse called Tactical and that won at the festival on Wednesday and in the same race, the second placed Get It also ran a big race finishing fourth.

If handling the soft conditions will be very tough to beat.

One of the best races across the card for the talent the field possess is the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes and Fanny Logan for John Gosden is out pick.

The filly looks to be a very nice each way price going up against the males and in the majority of her races has shown consistent levels of form which makes the case for her sneaking into the placings.

Last season she landed four wins in a row across listed and Group company and having made a pleasing comeback run when second at Haydock in soft conditions, she could be set up perfectly for a bash at this tougher event.

The feature race on the card is the Group One Commonwealth Cup over six furlongs and this race sees the return of horses being tried over a mile but ultimately are better sprinting.

The French have not been shy of having big race winners at the festival and we like the look of the French raider Wooded for trainer Francis-Henri Graffard.

The handler has been in smart form in his home country this season and sends this three year old who made a very pleasing start to the season when being a clearcut winner in a Group Three.

Soft ground seems to be his game and with the conditions softening he should enter the frame.

Another classy race on the day is the Group Two Queen's Vase over 1 mile 6 furlongs and Born With Pride for William Haggas will love these wet conditions.

The three year old filly was superb on debut when landing a Listed Fillies' Stakes on Heavy ground at Newmarket which is a very rare for a Haggas horse on debut.

On her first start this season her run was to bad to be true finishing seventh in the Group Three Classic Trial, however that race has worked out well with first and second running huge races since then.

Stepping up in trip she looks a big improver and has moved in the markets dramatically since being declared for this race.

The final race on the Friday is the Class 2 Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes and West End Charmer for Mark Johnston looked mightily impressive on debut.

The four year old was smart at the back end of his three year old career when winning nicely at Doncaster in a Class 3 Handicap.

He picked up from where he left off on his seasonal debut this term when landing a decent handicap at Newmarket by five lengths and improvement is expected.