Commonwealth Cup Guide - 19/06/20

Pierre Lapin

Trainer: Roger Varian

Jockey: Andrea Atzeni

He has been the ante-post favourite for this race for a while now and should go very close. He is a half-brother to Harry Angel who placed in this race and then went onto win two Group One’s.

He was very impressive when winning on debut at Haydock last season but then missed most of the season but returned by winning the Mill Reef in assertive fashion. He should go close.

Wooded

Trainer: F-H Graddard

Jockey: James Doyle

Dropping back to six furlongs, he was impressive on his seasonal reappearance in France, winning a Group three in very taking fashion.

He may require some cut in the ground to be seen to the best of his ability which will be a concern, but his run last time was very good, and he could go close here.

Golden Horde

Trainer: Clive Cox

Jockey: Adam Kirby

He ended last season with a very smart effort in the Group one Middle Park when just touched off in second to the highly touted Earthlight and that form gives him a very good chance here.

He was also beaten by Earthlight when third in another Group one, the Prix Morny, behind Raffle Prize that day too. He looks an exciting prospect and should improve at three and go close here.

Kimari

Trainer: Wesley Ward

Jockey: Frankie Dettori

She was second in last year's Royal meeting in the Queen Mary behind Raffle Prize and represents a trainer who knows what he’s doing when it comes to sprinters and has a good record here.

She was impressive when appearing in April, coming from mid division to strongly run on in America on the dirt and the different conditions shouldn’t be an issue to her here. She is likely to be held up and come late and has the services of Frankie Dettori.

She could run well.

Lope Y Fernandez

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Jockey: Ryan Moore

Despite only winning twice in his career, he has some good form to his name and looked like he was the winner of the recent Irish 2000 Guineas before fading into third and this step back to six should suit.

He was second here in the Chesham last year to Pinatubo and clearly has plenty of pace. The connections won this race in 2017 and they have another live chance here.

Missile

Trainer: Jessica Harrington

Jockey: Tom Marquand

She was well supported in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket but never got competitive and there were question marks about the trip, so she now drops back to sprinting.

She was a group one winner at two, winning the Cheveley Park and this whilst looks hard, she is entitled to go close.

Mums Tipple

Trainer: Richard Hannon

Jockey: Sean Levey

Just based on his performance at York last season, he could go really close here but hasn’t kicked on since.He was well beaten in the Middle Park but had excuses and was never a factor when last in the 2000 Guineas.

Many will say his bubble has burst but he could rediscover his form back sprinting but it’s a big ask.

Dubai Station

Trainer: Karl Burke

Jockey: Ben Curtis

He won the Pavillon Stakes at Newcastle a fortnight ago which is recognised as trial for this race so is entitled to take his place here. That didn’t look the strongest of races and he’s a big price to feature here.

Royal Crusade

Trainer: Charlie Appleby

Jockey: Willliam Buick

This looks hard for him. He’s only had the three starts and was beaten in a group three in France when last season in October.

That being said, he did finish ahead of Wooded that day who is towards the top of the market, but he has most likely improved past him and also lacks a recent run.

Southern Hills

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa

Another Ballydoyle runner who hasn’t been seen since winning the Windsor Castle last year. He stuck in well that day and looks a speedy sort and the step up to six should be no issue however no run for a year is a huge worry and he’ll most likely come on for this but hard to see him featuring.

Shadn

Trainer: Andrew Balding

Jockey: Oisin Murphy

One of the more exposed runners in the field, having seven starts at two and this looks a difficult race for him.

He was well beaten in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf and was third to Pierre Lapin in the Mill Reef but both of his wins on turf have come on soft ground, including a Group two in France so may need them conditions to be seen to his best.

Royal Lytham

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Jockey: Pat Cosgrove

Another for Aidan O’Brien who drops back in trip after finishing 8th in the Irish 2000 Guineas. He won the July Stakes at Newmarket last season but didn’t really kick on after, finishing third in the Phoenix Stakes.

He looks to be a better sprinter but is the third choice for the stable and has it all to do.

Ventura Rebel

Trainer: Richard Fahey

Jockey: Tony Hamilton

He also ran in the Pavilion, finishing sixth and is one of the bigger prices here so will have to improve dramatically to get involved. He was fourth when sent off a short priced favourite for the Super Sprint last year.

Royal Commando

Trainer: Charlie Hills

Jockey: Kieran Shoemark

Another big priced runner. He was seventh in the Dewhurst last year and hasn’t won since breaking his median at Doncaster in July. All to do.

Pistoletto

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Jockey: Danny Tudhope

The fourth and final Ballydoyle runner.He won his first two races last year but hasn’t won since and is exposed now.

He was third at Naas in a listed race over five furlongs last week and may be better over six, but he is fourth choice for the stable and this looks too much of a task.

Les Hogues

Trainer: George Baker

Jockey: Shane Kelly

A huge priced runner, who was second last in the 1000 Guineas and should be better back to six, where he won when trained in France last year, but this is way beyond his ability it would seem.

Aberama Gold

Trainer: Keith Dalglish

Jockey: Shane Gray

The outsider of the lot, who had nine runs as a two-year old and was 10 of 13 in the Pavilion Stakes so looks to have little chance here.