3:05 Royal Ascot: Kailani to improve past Oaks conquerors
Published:Kailani may have been a bit of a disappointment in the Oaks, but she can put this run behind her in the Ribblesdale Stakes where she is 8/1 to triumph.
A number of elements seemed to go against Kailani at Epsom and within reason she did well to finish seventh in the end, just six lengths adrift of the winner Was.
She pulled too hard at the rear of the field in the early stages, was significantly bumped around 4f from home, struggled to cope with Tattenham Corner when running very wide and generally found the ground too firm.
The overnight rain at Ascot would have made the ground soft enough to boost her chances and she prevailed by seven lengths in the Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket in her only other appearance on a soft surface.
Meanwhile, a flatter track will be to her advantage and it would also be no surprise to see her ridden closer to the pace by Mickael Barzalona, rather than out the back.
With an extra week this year between the Epsom meeting and Royal Ascot, six runners from the Oaks are entered into the Ribblesdale, including the second, third and fourth.
The Fugue took third that day, but many believe she would have triumphed if not having to take such a wide route and receiving a bump entering the closing stages, which slowed her down at a pivotal moment.
It is 6/4 in the Royal Ascot odds that The Fugue wins the Ribblesdale.
Shirocco Star was second in the Oaks and has made it a habit of finding one too good. She is 6/1 and this looks solid each-way value.
The Queen’s horse Momentary beat Shirocco Star on her last start and is entitled to come on for that run, which makes 10/1 look a big price.
Princess Highway is another to consider at 13/2 bearing in mind that she beat Was in a Group Three contest at Naas on her latest start.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
