Friday on my mind

Royal Ascot came to life and how on Ladies' Day yesterday.

That man Frankie Dettori brought the place to life by riding the winners of the first four races (at combined odds of 449-1) and almost making it five on the spin when chinned late on in the Britannia Stakes.

Readers of this blog yesterday will hopefully have availed themselves of three of those wins in the shape of Sangarius, Star Catcher and Stradivarius.

Today's another story, however, and it might be a case of the 'Moore the merrier' by the time the last race has been run. Jockey Ryan Moore is now three wins behind Frankie in the race to be the meeting's top jockey.

Day four Friday could see him reduce that gap, however, bringing things nicely to a head for tomorrow.

Be lucky!

PHILIPPOS

Royal Ascot

Stalls: straight course, centre; Round course, inside

NAP: HERMOSA
NB: JASH

2:30 Albany Stakes (Group 3) Fillies Six furlongs
A field of 25 are set to go to post for this sprint confined to juvenile fillies only. A couple of US raiders in the shape of Chili Petin and Nayibeth add an extra edge to this contest. But I'm looking no further than Ireland, or possibly North Yorkshire, in terms of my idea of the winner. The maestro trainer Aidan O'Brien runs a brace in the shape of SO WONDERFUL (14/1) and Precious Moments (16/1) and it's difficult to rule out either. Both make each-way appeal at their prices. Another in the same camp is Exceptional (16/1). Trainer Richard Fahey is a dab hand with juveniles and this could be an excellent chance to get on this week's scoresheet.

3:05 King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2) Colts & geldings One mile, four furlongs
Also known as the 'Ascot Derby' and three of today's rather miserly eight-strong field contested the Epsom version three weeks ago. If Japan (5/4) has recovered well from his exertions on the Downs when he came third that day to Anthony Van Dyck, he's the likeliest winner. Maybe PABLO ESCOBARR (8/1) at a working man's each-way price for a 'dead-eight' race can give him most to think about. He swerved running in the Derby and trainer William Haggas is already having a fine Royal week.

3:40 Commonwealth Cup (Group 1) Six furlongs
Again, a rather small field of just nine 3yo are set to go to post for this half-million pound sprint. As with the previous race, it's uninspiring but probably dangerous to overlook the chances of the favourite Ten Sovereigns (11/8). If lumping on short-priced favourites isn't your thing, turn to JASH (5/1) for hopefully an each-way bet to nothing. Trainer Simon Crisford won the opener yesterday and it would be disappointing if this colt couldn't at least make the frame.

4:20 Coronation Stakes (Group 1) Fillies One mile Round course
This could be a penalty kick for HERMOSA (evens). If she turns up in the same form which has already seen her land both the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket and Irish Guineas at The Curragh this season, then she wins comfortably. In which case what comes second? Jubiloso (9/2) is short enough in the betting but, although unbeaten, is priced as much on her connections as any rock-solid credentials. She has to enter calculations, although at least we know French 1,000 Guineas winner Castle Lady (8/1) won't be inconvenienced by the soft-ish underfoot conditions.

5:00 Sandringham Stakes (Handicap) Fillies One mile straight
Back to the cavalry charges and a mere 27-runner affair with the field hurtling down the course's straight mile. A royal runner in the form of Magnetic Charm (10/1) adds to the interest, but my three darts are being aimed at far bigger-priced runners. The first two are WHIMBREL (20/1) and Kimblewick (33/1) which both hail from the powerful John Gosden yard. Both are making their debut in handicap company and each has been running over a slightly longer trip than today's race distance. They may be rattling home while rivals tire. The other selection is Aim Power (50/1) at colossal odds. It's unusual that neither trainer Richard Hannon, nor champion jockey Silvestre de Sousa have yet registered a winner thus far this week. What better time to do it?

5:35 Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap) One mile, four furlongs
A tricky-looking 19-runner contest to round off day four. Towards the top of the market, FUJAIRA PRINCE (13/2) makes plenty of appeal. Pivoine (20/1) may out-run his odds but, for me, the most eye-catching runner in the race is Lethal Steps (33/1). Brought over by Gold Cup and Grand National-winning trainer Gordon Elliot, the gelding last ran in May in a two-and-a-half mile handicap hurdle. Hardly a traditional prep race for a contest of this nature which makes him the most intriguing runner of the meeting!