20th-Jun-2018

Hydrangea obviously sets a high standard in the Duke of Cambridge, but she probably shouldn’t be as far ahead of Aljazzi in the market as she is.

Marco Botti’s filly ran a cracker in this race last year when she finished second, splitting Qemah and Usherette and belying odds of 40/1.  She proved that run to be no fluke too when she followed up by easily landing the Group 3 Atalanta Stakes at Sandown next time. 

She was beaten on her last two runs last season when stepped up in grade, but she started off this season with a really encouraging run to finish third behind Addeybb in the Group 2 Bet365 Mile at Sandown in April.  It is probable that this race has been on her trainer’s radar for her since the start of the season, and it is a positive that she has been kept fresh for it since then.  She goes well on fast ground and she is obviously proven over the course and distance.  She could go close.

Hydrangea is a worthy favourite, but she was beaten on her debut this season and she has to concede 5lb, and a mile may be short enough now for a filly who won the Group 1 fillies’ race on Champions’ Day last year over a mile and a half. 

ALJAZZI WON (ADV 5/1, SP 9/2)