Royal Ascot Day Two Preview

Jersey Stakes Group 3

Sentaril will be taking a big step up in class but William Haggas’ filly can keep her unbeaten record intact. The three-year-old has also been entered for the Coronation Stakes over 1m on Friday but she hails from a speedy family and sticking to this 1f-shorter trip appears her best option.

Sentaril ran away with a Newbury maiden on her debut in April and she clearly impressed Johnny Murtagh, who rode her that day, as the Irish jockey made the trip to Doncaster two weeks later solely to ride her in a minor conditions stakes.

Aljmaaheen comfortably accounted for The Nile, who unfortunately had to be put down in the St James’ Palace Stakes, at Newmarket last time should go well while the the booking of Ryan Moore for the unbeaten Valbchek could easily be significant.

Selection: SENTARIL

Windsor Forest Stakes (Fillies & Mares) Group 2

Group 1 winners Emulous and Nahrain have to give weight to their rivals but are still expected to fight out the finish. Emulous developed into a high class miler last year and signed off with a smooth victory in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown. Dermot Weld’s five-year-old returned to action this season with a comfortable success at the Curragh in May, after which her trainer nominated the Windsor Forest as her target.

However, Nahrain, whose only defeat came when caught close home by Perfect Shirl in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf last November, is just preferred. Roger Varian’s lightly-raced filly is open to plenty of improvement and she’s working really well on the Newmarket gallops.

Last year’s runner-up, Chachamaidee, will be dangerous if the ground isn’t too soft.

Selection: NAHRAIN

3.45pm 150th Anniversary of Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (British Champions Series) Group 1

Last Year’s runner-up, So You Think, has been heavily supported in the betting and the Coolmore team are clearly very hopeful that he can go one better this time. So You Think was very impressive when cruising home in the Tattersalls Gold Cup on his seasonal bow but that was a very weak race for a Group 1 contest and the Aidan O’Brien-trained six-year-old has never quite lived up to the high hopes held for him since he arrived from Australia.

Therefore, an each-way bet on the unbeaten Farhh makes more appeal. Godolphin supplied last year’s winner, Rewilding, and Frankie Dettori’s mount, who laughed at his rivals under top weight in the Thirsk Hunt Cup last time, has any amount of untapped potential.

Selection: FARHH each-way

Royal Hunt Cup Heritage Handicap

Belgian Bill should go well at decent odds in this annual cavalry charge over Ascot’s straight mile. George Baker’s colt is just 2lbs higher in the handicap than he was when a very close fourth in the Britannia Stakes over the same course and distance at last year’s meeting. He’s run several terrific races since and went down by just a head to Libys Dream in a 7f Listed contest at Wolverhampton in March when last seen in action.

James Fanshawe has saddled two winners of the Royal Hunt Cup and the Newmarket trainer’s Dimension, who won a 7f handicap at Ascot on his final start last term and was unlucky not to make a winning reappearance this season at Lingfield, heads a very long list of dangers.

Selection: BELGIAN BILL each-way

Queen Mary Stakes Group 2

The booking of Johnny Murtagh for Tom Dascombe’s Upward Spiral, who overcame a poor draw to make a winning debut and record a good speed figure in a 5f maiden at Sandown three weeks ago, catches the eye and the Teofilo filly should make her presence felt in a very open looking event.

Another pointer to Upward Spiral’s prospects is that Richard Hughes stays loyal to Jubilee Diamond, who finished second to her at Sandown, when Richard Hannon, who has a good record in the race, also runs Hairy Rocket and Miss Diva.

David Wachman saddled Damson to win in 2004 and his highly regarded Naas winner, Mironica, looks best of the Irish challengers.

Selection: UPWARD SPIRAL

Sandringham Handicap Listed

Sir Mark Prescott’s Group-placed Kinetica could prove the answer to a tricky finale on day one of the royal meeting. Apart from a modest effort on heavy ground at the Curragh on her final outing last year, she was a smart and consistent juvenile.

She will be having her first run of the season but showed she can perform well fresh when going down just a head to subsequent Group 1 winner Elusive Kate on her debut at a year ago. Kinetica won a Listed contest at Sandown in July on soft ground and won’t mind if there’s some cut in the going.

Despite having to carry 5lb more than her handicap mark, Richard Fahey is expecting a good run from Ladys First, who made a pleasing reappearance when beaten less than a length at Doncaster in May.

Selection: KINETICA