15:40 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes
This is a nice looking fillies Group 2 over a mile and with several likeable runners in the field of 14.
Lucida is a Godolphin horse trained by Jim Bolger and she competed in three Group 1's last year including a fine second place behind Legatissimo in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. She was unable to follow that up but was still a very creditable third here in the Coronation Stakes. All of her runs last season were on pretty firm ground with her one run so far on soft ground ending in a disappointing fifth place at Newmarket when a short priced favoruite. Due to this it is hard to get behind her with any confidence and therefore I will be looking elsewhere for the winner.
Usherette is a horse I really like here and think she has an excellent chance of taking this. Trained by Andre Fabre, this filly sired by Shamardal was an excellent winner at Newmarket last time out being Amazing Maria and Arabian Queen with consummate ease. She is proven in today's conditions and I think it will take an exceptional performance from one of her rivals to prevent here taking this comfortably.
16:20 Prince Of Wales Stakes
The Japanese raider A Shin Hikari with Yutaka Take is sure to be all the rage for this race after demolishing a decent looking field at Chantilly last month and is sure to start as an odds on shot. He is sired by the brilliant Deep Impact and does look a really top horse, however he is up against some real quality in this field and given his reputation, there could be value elsewhere.
Found was beaten rather comfortably by Postponed at Epsom two weeks ago and it will take her rediscovering the form that saw her land the Breeders Cup Turf last season to have a chance in this. From what she has shown so far this year it doesn't appear that she is capable of that and will therefore struggle to get properly involved in this.
The Grey Gatsby is a top quality horse and although he hasn't run for 277 days, he goes very well fresh so that shouldn't be a problem. Last season he quite often had to give weight away to some really top class three year olds but he doesn't have that problem here, and I think he has the class to give the Japanese runner a real fight at a nice price.
Today's Selections
Ascot 15:40 - Usherette - 3 points @ 5/2 (Boylesports)
Ascot 16:20 - The Grey Gatsby - 1 point @ 12/1 (Paddy Power)