Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (Fillies' & Mares' Group 2) (Str) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
1m Good to Firm
raced near side, held up in 6th, good headway near side of group 2f out, led inside final furlong, quickened clear, easily
always prominent near side, led inside final 2f, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
steadied start, raced centre, held up and behind, headway 2f out, led that group over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, almost snatched 2nd, no chance with winner
close 4th near side, ridden inside final 2f, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace of winner
held up last of five in centre, headway and went 2nd in group inside final furlong, stayed on but not pace of near side leaders, weakened towards finish
chased leaders in centre, pushed along 2f out, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, no impression final furlong
raced keenly, prominent near side, pushed along over 2f out, hung right and no extra inside final furlong
fly jumped leaving stalls, held up and behind near side, headway between horses inside final 2f, stayed on until weakened towards finish
tracked leader in centre, led group 2f out until ridden over 1f out, not on terms with near side leaders, weakened final furlong
wore hood to post, held up in 5th near side, headway centre of group chasing leaders 2f out, weakened over 1f out
overall leader near side, ridden and headed inside final 2f, weakened quickly and soon behind
led centre group and prominent overall, pushed along 3f out, headed in group 2f out, weakened quickly soon after and behind
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| Betfair SP | £24.38 |
| CSF | £89.27 (8, 2) |
| Tricast | £290.51 (8, 2, 3) |
| Win | £16.60 (8) |
| Place | £5.25 (8), £1.70 (2), £1.50 (3) |
| Swinger | £3.10 (2, 3), £15.10 (2, 8), £13.20 (3, 8) |
| Exacta | £77.30 (8, 2) |
| Trifecta | £440.80 (8, 2, 3) |
A somewhat messy contest, both in terms of pace – which was rather tepid early on – and track position, with first, fourth and seventh possibly advantaged by coming nearer to the stand side in the final 2f, though the winner looked good in forging clear late on and can be rated about on a par with recent winners of this race at this stage. The overall time was the best part of 2.0s/a dozen lengths slower than recorded by Real World in the Royal Hunt Cup later on, though that horse raced up the far side and conditions might have been even quicker by then.
INDIE ANGEL (112 here, 103 previously) reversed placings with the trio who had beaten her at Newmarket, though it remains to be seen whether that is a fair reflection of their respective merits, for she may have been assisted by coming stand side late on, held up going well, switched 2f out and running on to lead 1f out, strong at the finish. She may have her quirks (failed to take what now seems an easy chance on AW Finals Day) but is very useful on her day at around this trip.
LADY BOWTHORPE (109 here, 114 previously) is worth another chance to confirm the form of her Lockinge second to Palace Pier (though I have trimmed her initial rating from that), beaten only by one who raced away from her here, tracking the pace, making quite a big move to lead 2f out then battling away to edge things towards the centre of the course. She has a good attitude and is versatile regarding ground and tactics.
QUEEN POWER (109 here, 113 previously) ran creditably at a trip that is barely far enough for her under these conditions, running on from towards the rear but losing out on the nod on her part of the course. She was sweating/edgy and slowly into her stride here but consistently gives her running.
CHAMPERS ELYSEES (109 here, 114 previously) ran her best race of the campaign, if still a bit below her form of 2020, which came on softer, coming from mid-field to have every chance towards the stand side approaching the final 1f, then one paced. She would probably be as good back at 7f given a test.
LAVENDER’S BLUE (102 here, 106 previously) ran creditably again, once track position is allowed for, improving nicely from the rear to have a chance in the centre but emptying near the finish.
FOORAAT (98 here, 102 previously) is not up to this level and could not raise her game in the final 2f, running creditably all the same.
VALERIA MESSALINA (97 here, 109 previously) may be best at a well-run 7f but again looked a somewhat difficult ride.
AGINCOURT (95 here, 108 previously) shaped better than the result and may yet get back to the level that saw her second in this 12 months before, slowly away but making good progress from the rear (fastest split in the field from 3f out to 2f out of 11.24s) before fading.
DOUBLE OR BUBBLE (91 here, 104 previously) had a lot more on her plate here and weakened after showing up well until over 1f out.
ONASSIS (89 here, 102 previously) should be back to her best with this behind her, travelling well in mid-field until no extra over 1f out. She is as effective at 6f (given a good test)/7f as at this trip.
PARENT’S PRAYER (84 here, 107 previously) wasn’t in the same form as at Epsom, soon done with after leading.
POSTED (69 here, 104 previously)
