Royal Ascot Day 4 Preview

Day 4 of the five day Royal Ascot Carnival is Friday:

2.30 Albany Stakes (Fillies' Group 3, 6f)

The Albany Stakes is laced with talented fillies, nine of which are unbeaten and many of which among the 18-strong field are open to significant improvement.

Jabaara, Matrika, Porta Fortuna and Newmarket maiden winner Soprano must all be respected but CARLA'S WAY cost £350,000 and the Simon & Ed Crisford-trained daughter of Starspangledbanner looked quite smart on her Doncaster debut. That feeling is backed up by the clock and the well-held second winning by 11 lengths next time out at Haydock. James Doyle's partner may be the one in a deep and talented field.

Selection: Carla's Way

3.05 Commonwealth Cup (Group 1, 6f)

Little Big Bear was the best juvenile sprinter in Europe last season and after some misadventure in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, he won the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock last month back over this 6f trip. He's a major contender as Aidan O'Brien attempts to become the first trainer to win multiple renewals of this race, which was added to Royal Ascot in 2015.

No previous winner of this contest has returned an SP greater than 12/1, while horses dropping back from a mile to sprinting have an excellent record. Both Sakheer and LEZOO fit that billing. The former ran well in the 2,000 Guineas despite being too keen and has claims but Ralph Beckett's filly caught the eye for a long way in the fillies' Classic at Newmarket and should be ideally suited by the shorter trip. She gets 3lb from the colts and can give Frankie Dettori another big moment on this stage.

Selection: Lezoo

3.40 Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap, 1m 4f)

The returning Al Nafir could be a key player for Charlie Appleby, while the Godolphin colours are also sported by a trio of Saeed bin Suroor contenders that could each go well. Roger Varian's Nagano has been off for 664 days and needs a close look but maybe his stablemate AIMERIC can continue a fine week for his connections. He was in and out last season, winning twice, and after wind surgery and being gelded, the son of Frankel scored at Doncaster this month on his return. He's 4lb higher now and could have more to come over a distance that suits him, as wins over 1m 4f and 1m 4½f prove.

Selection: Aimeric

4.20 Coronation Stakes (Fillies' Group 1, 1m)

With her Newmarket conqueror Mawj a late absentee from this rematch, it's hard not to imagine the Irish 1,000 Guineas winner TAHIYRA will take all the beating. She found some trouble in the run at The Curragh but still bested old foe Meditate willingly and holds the ace hand as Dermot Weld seeks a second Coronation Stakes win, a mere 45 years after his first. First and second in Listed company at York last time, Sounds Of Heaven and Queen For You could have plenty of improvement in them.

Selection: Tahiyra

5.00 Sandringham Stakes (Fillies' Handicap, 1m)

Jackie Oh for Aidan O'Brien and Coppice for John and Thady Gosden are likely contenders, while Hayley Turner bids for a third Sandringham win in five years, this time on Balalaika for Rebecca Menzies. Magical Sunset drops in class and is one to note but connections clearly think plenty of KARSAVINA given she has taken in the Nell Gwyn Stakes and 1,000 Guineas on her way here. This is more realistic and Rossa Ryan will be full of confidence after landing the Norfolk Stakes on Thursday.

Selection: Karsavina

5.35 King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2, 1m 4f)

Frankie Dettori was fairly adamant that Arrest didn't act on the track at Epsom when he was Derby favourite and he may bounce back now. But the likelihood is he will have to improve again as KING OF STEEL was clear of everything else when second in the Epsom Classic. He briefly looked like the winner before the superb late surge of Auguste Rodin but even that silver medal puts him best of these on ratings by 7lb. It was his first run of the year, his first beyond a mile and his first start away from soft/heavy going, so there are several reasons to believe he can build on it now.

Selection: King Of Steel

6.10 Palace Of Holyrood House Stakes (Handicap, 5f)

RHYTHM N HOOVES raced prominently for much of his turf bow at York five weeks ago before he eventually faded and finished in midfield. He had looked promising before that in successive wins at Newcastle and Chelmsford in novice company, both times under Hollie Doyle. She is back in the plate now and Archie Watson's lightly raced challenger has scope for better.

Selection: Rhythm N Hooves